Bruce Springsteen got it right: Everybody’s got a hungry heart. Though Bruce may not have been singing about fiber specifically, the lyrics still apply. The link between dietary fiber and heart health is an important one.
The American Heart Association recommends eating at least 25 grams of fiber per day. Why? Soluble fiber has been shown to reduce “bad” cholesterol, thus lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Additionally, insoluble fiber has been associated with both decreased risk of heart disease, and slowed progression of heart disease in high-risk individuals.
The link between fiber and heart health has been recognized by health professionals for years, and supporting evidence continues to strengthen the link. A recent review of studies on fiber and heart health found that the risk of developing heart disease decreases by 9% for each 7 grams of fiber added to the daily diet. By eating the recommended 25 grams of fiber every day, you may be reducing your risk of developing heart disease by 32%! So, the sooner you start eating a high-fiber diet, the better.
You can increase your dietary fiber intake by eating fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains and seeds, to make sure you’re getting a mix of soluble and insoluble fiber. It’s thought that soluble fiber acts to lower cholesterol by binding to harmful (LDL) cholesterol in the small intestine and carrying it out of the body. Insoluble fiber from whole grains also seems to be especially beneficial for heart health and the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Maintaining a diet rich in fiber and low in saturated fat and cholesterol is a helpful way to avoid heart disease.
The special blend of soluble and insoluble fiber – including the unique high-fiber blend of 6 grains and seeds – in each Fiber d’Lish bar makes our bars a healthy choice for your heart. Eating one a day gets you 12 grams of fiber, so you’re almost halfway to your 25 gram goal!