Joel Fuhrman - Eat To Live

46 Joel Fuhrman, M.D.

HOW YOUR BODY BENEFITS

FROM THE FIBER FOUND IN PLANT FOODS

Fewer abnormal

physiological

cravings

Fewer hormonal imbalances

Prevents

diabetes

Stronger immune system

Slows down the rate

of glucose absorption

varicose veins

Less risk of Less risk of hemorrhoids
and constipation

Less risk

Confusion in the Marketplace over the Role of Fiber

Some people are so confused that they do not know what to believe

anymore. For example, two recent studies about fiber received sen-

sational coverage by the media after appearing in the April 20, 2000,

New England Journal of Medicine}^6 Newspapers proclaimed the bold

headlines HIGH-FIBER DIET DOES NOT PROTECT AGAINST COLON CANCER. NO

wonder our population is so confused by conflicting messages about

nutrition. Some people have actually given up trying to eat health-

fully because one day they hear one claim and the next week they

hear the opposite. There's a lesson to be learned here: Don't get your

health advice from the media.

I am bringing up this issue so you realize not to jump to conclu-

sions on the basis of one study or one news report. You can see how

research information is often (mis)reported in the news. I have re-

viewed more than two thousand nutritional research papers in prep-

aration for this book and many more in prior years, and there is not

much conflicting evidence. As in a trial, the evidence has become

overwhelming and irrefutable — high-fiber foods offer significant pro-

tection against both cancer (including colon cancer) and heart disease.

I didn't say fiber. I said high-fiber foods. We can't just add a high-fiber

candy bar or sprinkle a little Metamucil on our doughnut and French

fries and expect to reap the benefits of eating high-fiber foods, yet

this is practically what the first study did.