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We’ve known for quite some time that fiber is good for us. Despite this fact, however, we keep ignoring the minimum recommended amount of fiber for each day. And this is a fact, as the majority of Americans eat far less than the recommended amount. This might not be a good thing, since a fiber rich diet in teenagers decreases breast cancer risk.
The study and its limitations
As a disclaimer, some factors present in the study could constitute for some exaggerated information, but this was because of the way the study was handled, not because of any intentional misleading purposes.
The problem was definitely not with the sample used by the researchers, as they looked at over 44,000 women for the purposes of the investigation.
The actual problem actually lay in the process of the survey itself.
Instead of looking at actual recorded data, the team of researchers had the women recall their dietary habits as well as they could.
This means that even though the study was most likely not tainted by intentionally misleading information, it may be affected by false or incomplete memories.
The women had to recall their dietary habits from high school, specifically how much fiber they had in their diet.
As it turns out, women who ate the recommended daily amount of fibers of 28 grams had a 24% decreased chance of developing breast cancer before their menopause.
This couple with a 16% overall decreased chance of breast cancer as opposed to women that didn’t follow the dietary requirements related to fiber.
Teenagers and their food habits
Generally, a person’s diet doesn’t really change that much over the years, with most people maintaining their dietary habits unless a big event determines them to change it. So the study is most likely pretty accurate.
The biggest problem with making the results of the study relevant (aside from the shoddy scientific process) is that teenagers don’t really think about the future too much.
Being adepts of instant gratification, most teenagers like to get their rewards right away, so you can’t really reach them by promising them a potentially better future.
However, according to some experts, mentioning breast cancer might actually do the trick, as most teenage girls know somebody with the illness and know how devastating it is.
And with the little piece of information received earlier – that out dietary habits change very little from our teenage years – it’s at least pretty certain that if a number of teenage girls are convinced to have healthier dietary habits, those will maintain throughout their adulthood.
More about fibers in your diet
Fibers have been known to have a bunch of positive medicinal properties, including decreasing the risk of colorectal cancer, as well as that of heart disease and even diabetes.
They are also known to improve insulin sensitivity, to slow down the absorption of blood sugar, as well as to keep blood sugar levels stable.
The recommended amount of fiber intake in a day is of 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men.
You can find fibers in foods such as fruits, vegetables, beans, seeds, nuts, and whole grains.
Image source: Wikimedia
