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New study links higher fiber intake to healthier cholesterol levels among teens

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

For teenagers who have received unhealthy cholesterol test results, simply consuming more fiber on a daily basis may help them reduce their blood lipids to normal levels again, according to a new report.

A team of researchers from Michigan State University assessed the health of more than 2,000 individuals between the ages of 12 and 19 and surveyed the participants about their dietary habits.

The investigators reported in Journal of the American Dietetic Association that those who at less fiber were significantly more likely to have a condition known as metabolic syndrome. This is a collection of symptoms including unhealthy cholesterol, high blood pressure, elevated blood sugar and an extended waistline.

Those consuming the most fiber had a metabolic syndrome rate of 3 percent, while more than 9 percent of those who ate the least fiber had the condition.

The researchers said their findings underscore the importance of incorporating more plant foods into the diets of young people, as fruits and vegetables tend to be among the best sources of fiber.