The Benefits of Eating Fibre as a Teen
Could the food we eat as a teenager impact us in later life? A new study spanning two decades says absolutely.
The research found that women who ate more fibre as a teenager had a far lower risk of developing breast cancer as an adult.
What did the study uncover?
The extensive study assessed over 90,000 women (aged between 27 and 44) for 20 years, monitoring their fibre intake in their teens and twenties. Fibre intake for the women spanned from 15 grams a day or less to 28 grams a day.
Incredibly, the high-fibre diet participants had a 16 percent lower risk of breast cancer than others. They also had a staggering 24 percent lower risk of developing the disease before menopause when it can be quite aggressive.
Even more remarkable, for every additional 10 grams of fibre eating, the breast cancer risk dropped by 13 percent!
Why is fibre linked to breast cancer?
While there is no definitive answer to this question, the research team at Harvard University believe it could be due to fibre reducing the production of estrogen.
"We now have evidence that what we feed our children during this period of life is also an important factor in future cancer risk," said lead researcher Dr Walter Willett.
How to get more fibre
Fibre isn’t only important to eat as an adolescent. It’s equally crucial to get enough of the rough stuff during your adult years.
Excellent sources of fibre include fruits and vegetables, and beans and lentils. Chat with a nutritionist, naturopath, or dietician for more tailored advice.
