It is a common recommendation to boost our fiber consumption in order to avoid digestive issues, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of colon cancer. The American Dietetic Association also highlights the benefits of fiber in a 7-page fact sheet, acknowledging the support of the Kellogg Company in its production. They enthusiastically suggest beginning the day with a fiber-rich breakfast cereal. What if I told you none of this was true?
Repeatedly, whenever the well-being of a traditional society was contrasted with that of a contemporary society, the traditional society consistently emerged as the superior one. Consequently, researchers deduced that modern diets were detrimental to health. However, the issue lay in the fact that certain scientists hastily arrived at an incorrect conclusion regarding the reason behind the inferiority of modern diets compared to traditional diets. They erroneously assumed that the deficiency lied in fiber content rather than the excessive presence of refined carbohydrates.
It is indeed a fact that modern diets lack the amount of fiber found in traditional diets, so their observation is accurate. In the past, people consumed whole, stone-ground, or cultured grains, all of which retained their fiber content. Nevertheless, numerous studies have consistently demonstrated that reintroducing fiber into our modern diet does not bring us back to the level of exceptional health that our ancestors experienced. Therefore, merely increasing our fiber intake is not the solution.
What is fiber?
Fiber is derived from the cell walls of plants, providing structural support to the plant. Unlike animals, humans do not have fiber in their bodies; instead, bone and cartilage support our physical structure. Fiber is considered indigestible by humans.
There are two categories of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Various plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, beans, seeds, and grains contain a mix of soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber is beneficial as it slows down processes, while insoluble fiber is beneficial as it accelerates processes. Hmmm . . .
No data proves that we need fiber for a healthy microbiome!
Here is what Dr. Georgia Ede stated about the fiber myth!
“Why do experts believe that fiber is essential for health? It is a simple misunderstanding of the research. Well-meaning, intelligent scientists looked at all the data and came to the wrong conclusion by making a single, critically flawed assumption that led them in the wrong direction.”
Dr. Georgia Ede
Fiber Does NOT Prevent Colon Cancer
“New England Journal of Medicine editorial that accompanied back-to-back April 2000 reports on two major trials—one on fourteen hundred subjects of the Phoenix [Arizona] Colon Cancer Prevention Physicians’ Network, and one $30 million trial from the National Cancer Institute—both of which confirmed that fiber had no effect on colon cancer.”
What does fiber do for your body?
While our bodies themselves are unable to digest fiber, the bacteria present in our large intestine possess this ability. These bacteria undergo fermentation of fiber, resulting in the production of gases such as hydrogen and methane. This exothermic reaction can potentially harm local organs and tissues. Interestingly, consuming high amounts of fiber may negatively impact fertility.
A study discovered that women who had a significant fiber intake experienced reduced fertility. Additionally, it can lead to excessive flatulence. Moreover, as the intake of fiber increases, so does the risk of developing diverticular diseases. Another study revealed that individuals who consumed more fiber and had frequent bowel movements were more likely to develop colon disease. Upon closer examination of the health-fiber relationship, it becomes apparent that fiber may actually be considered a type of junk food.
Fiber Does Not Protect from Constipation
There appears to be a widespread belief regarding fiber, but it is important to note that constipation is caused by an excess of bulk in the intestinal tract, not a lack of it. Therefore, adding more fiber may not be beneficial. The reason fiber can sometimes accelerate the passage of food through our intestines is because it acts as an irritant, prompting the intestines to produce mucus to counteract the negative effects of fiber and expel it quickly.
This has led to a distorted perception of what constitutes “normal” digestion in terms of transit time, frequency, and stool volume. While it is true that fiber can hasten food transit, I argue that this may not be advantageous. Ideally, one would want the body to thoroughly break down the food consumed in order to extract all possible nutrients from it, especially when following a healthy diet and investing in high-quality meats, for instance. In fact, fiber can be likened to phytates, which deplete essential nutrients from our food.
“But fiber also has a little-known dark side as far as nutrition is concerned. Fiber can bind with nutrients and actually remove them from the body before they have chance to get absorbed… Here’s how it works in a simplified way: Both fiber itself and a constituent called phytic acid or phytate, are extremely effective at “locking onto” dietary minerals.”
Recent research has provided additional evidence supporting the notion that numerous varieties of fiber are considered to be of little value. In a study conducted in 2012 and published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, the impact of fiber on constipation was thoroughly examined. The study’s findings challenged the widely held belief that consuming dietary fiber aids in alleviating constipation, as it revealed a significant link between the cessation of fiber intake and the improvement of constipation and its related symptoms.
The less fiber you eat, the better! Increasing your intake of protein and animal fats is way better!
This is the company I use and trust for the quality of meat. The Healthiest 100% Grass Fed and Finished, Pasture-Raised Meats Delivered From Regenerative Family Farms to Your Doorstep. Find it here –
References:
- Taubes, Gary. Good Calories, Bad Calories (Kindle Locations 2829-2830). Knopf Doubleday Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.
- Wright. Why Stomach Acid Is Good for You: Natural Relief from Heartburn, Indigestion, Reflux and GERD (p. 80). M. Evans & Company. Kindle Edition.
- Fung, Jason. The Obesity Code: Unlocking the Secrets of Weight Loss (p. 52). Greystone Books. Kindle Edition.
Leave a Reply