Fibre rich diet good for teens

Teenagers who consume a diet packed with fibres are more likely to keep away from risk factors for diabetes and heart disease, a new study has suggested. Due to low intakes of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans, the total dietary fibre intake in teens is about 13 grams per day, well below the recommendation of 26 grams and 38 grams for female and male adolescents, respectively. A study led by Joseph Carlson of Michigan State University has revealed that to reduce metabolic syndrome - a collection of risk factors including high blood pressure and a large waistline - it is more important to emphasize on diets that are fibre-rich, nutrient-dense, plant-based foods than focussing on restricting foods high in cholesterol or saturated fat. "What we found is that as fibre intake increases, the risk for metabolic syndrome decreases," said Carlson, a registered dietician and associate professor at MSU. "High-fibre, nutrient-dense foods are packed with heart healthy vitamins, minerals and chemicals that can positively affect many cardiovascular risk factors." "It may be better to focus on including these foods than to focus, as is commonly done, on excluding foods high in saturated fat." However he added that it does not imply that teens should have carte blanche in eating foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol. "It is well established that saturated fat can raise bad cholesterol." "What this data suggest is the importance of including foods high in dietary fibre," he added