Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Could High-Fiber Diet Have Hazards?

High fiber diets are usually recommended as part of a healthy lifestyle. Not only are they supposed to prevent constipation, there is a belief that they are beneficial for both heart health and colon cancer prevention.

New research at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, suggests, however, that there may be a downside to this way of eating. Research in mice has shown that a high-fiber diet makes them more susceptible to toxins produced by disease-causing E. coli bacteria.

The researchers do not recommend that people avoid high-fiber diets, but they do caution that bacterial contamination of fruits and vegetables may be especially dangerous for people who consume lots of extra fiber.

 [PNAS, online May 20, 2013]

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
0- 0 ratings
About the Author
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist who has dedicated his career to making drug information understandable to consumers. His best-selling book, The People’s Pharmacy, was published in 1976 and led to a syndicated newspaper column, syndicated public radio show and web site. In 2006, Long Island University awarded him an honorary doctorate as “one of the country's leading drug experts for the consumer.”.
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.