FIR Episode 20: Is fibre the missing link in your diet?

In this week’s episode, Philip looks at fibre – one of the most common blind spots in the western diet and asks the following important question:

Is this the missing link to improving your diet?

Fibre seems almost ubiquitously low across all regions, bar a few, and this makes this episode appropriate wherever you’re listening to this.

“The recommendation is the same, whether for constipation, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, weight management, blood sugar management or hormonal therapy”. 

“See what happens when you add another 10 grams of dietary fibre daily.”

But isn’t fibre a carbohydrate, and aren’t carbohydrates bad?

Yes, it is a carbohydrate and no, carbohydrates aren’t bad.

In this episode, Philip breaks down exactly what it is and why you don’t need to worry about the carbohydrate element of it.

Dietary fibre intake is, on average, 40-60% below the recommended daily targets, increasing your risk of major illnesses.

These figures can generally be worse for children and older adults.

Learn how science has connected this low-fibre consumption with illnesses like type 2 diabetes, colon cancer, and even asthma!

By this point, you’ll be able to see why a 2019 review in the British medical journal found that eating more of it led to a decreased risk of all non-communicable diseases and death.

Not only that, but which type to eat for your goal.

Philip also looks at soluble and insoluble fibre, the difference between them and their contribution to your health outcomes, including IBS and weight loss.

Hint: All prebiotics are dietary fibre, but not all dietary fibre is prebiotic.

Finally, Philip gives you his top tips to increase your dietary consumption and things to look out for on the way.

All this and more in this week’s episode of Free and Inspired radio.