Increasing stool bulk, diluting possible carcinogens present in the diet and decreasing transit time through the colon significantly reduce the risk of colorectal cancer.
It has been long known that dietary fiber helps improve the health of the digestive system. The digestive system is lined with muscles that massage food along the tract from the moment a mouthful is swallowed until the eventual waste is passed out of the bowel through a process called peristalsis. Since fiber is relatively indigestible, it adds bulk to the feces. Soluble fiber soaks up water like a sponge, which helps to bulk out the feces and allows it to pass through the gut more easily.
Colorectal Cancer Screening
Colorectal screening is done using tests to detect blood in stool, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy ordouble contrast barium enema or CT colonography.
Colorectal screening is done using tests to detect blood in stool, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy ordouble contrast barium enema or CT colonography.
In view of this, Anita Fechner and her colleagues at Department of Nutritional Physiology, Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, Germany, conducted a study to compare physiological effects of three legume kernel fibers and citrus fiber on LDL cholesterol in relation to colonic health, especially colorectal cancer.
Seventy-eight healthy volunteers (of which 76 completed the study) in the age group of 20 to 45 years were randomly divided to consume 25g per day of a legume fiber - blue lupin, white lupin and soya, and citrus fiber for two weeks. The dietary fiber intake throughout the interventions was additional to their habitual fiber intake, so the total dietary fiber intake during the study was approximately twice the fiber intake (42.7 to 46.3 g/day).
Fiber Content of Grains and Legumes - Checklist
Whole grain foods and legumes yield a the richest source of dietary fiber.
Whole grain foods and legumes yield a the richest source of dietary fiber.
The findings revealed that-
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Best Foods That Aid Digestion
Culinary herbs, spices and condiments are used regularly in cooking globally. Apart from adding flavour they aid in digestion and stomach-soothing properties. Read more on this webpage.
Culinary herbs, spices and condiments are used regularly in cooking globally. Apart from adding flavour they aid in digestion and stomach-soothing properties. Read more on this webpage.
* Lupin fibers led to a significantly enhanced formation of short-chain fatty acids.
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Quiz on Digestive Myths
The digestive tract is a common target for myths, especially since we spend a considerable amount of time per day preparing meals and consuming them. This quiz deals with some beliefs about the digestive system.
The digestive tract is a common target for myths, especially since we spend a considerable amount of time per day preparing meals and consuming them. This quiz deals with some beliefs about the digestive system.
* All legume fibers reduced fecal concentrations of total and secondary bile acids.
* Blood lipids were not influenced by any intervention.
From the results the researchers deduced that a daily intake of 25 g legume kernel fiber or citrus fiber over two weeks did not affect lipid metabolism through bile acid-binding in healthy people, but all of them might be able to prevent constipation as they improve fecal consistency and oro-fecal transit time and therefore exert a positive impact on colonic function.
The researchers concluded that ‘increasing dietary fiber intake of blue lupin kernel fiber in the range of about 50g per day may in general and, in particular, in predisposed people contribute towards the prevention of colorectal cancer and support medical therapies’.
The study has been published in the Nutrition Journal.
Reference: http://www.nutritionj.com/content/12/1/101
Source-Medindia
