Whole Fruits and Fruit Fiber Emerging Health Effects

Abstract

Less than 10% of most Western populations consume adequate levels of whole fruits and dietary fiber with typical intake being about half of the recommended levels. Evidence of the beneficial health effects of consuming adequate levels of whole fruits has been steadily growing, especially regarding their bioactive fiber prebiotic effects and role in improved weight control, wellness and healthy aging. The primary aim of this narrative review article is to examine the increasing number of health benefits which are associated with the adequate intake of whole fruits, especially fruit fiber, throughout the human lifecycle. These potential health benefits include: protecting colonic gastrointestinal health (e.g., constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel diseases, and diverticular disease); promoting long-term weight management; reducing risk of cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome; defending against colorectal and lung cancers; improving odds of successful aging; reducing the severity of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; enhancing psychological well-being and lowering the risk of depression; contributing to higher bone mineral density in children and adults; reducing risk of seborrheic dermatitis; and helping to attenuate autism spectrum disorder severity. Low whole fruit intake represents a potentially more serious global population health threat than previously recognized, especially in light of the emerging research on whole fruit and fruit fiber health benefits.

Dietary Fibre May Mitigate Sarcopenia Risk: Findings from the NU-AGE Cohort of Older European Adults

“…Although dietary FI has an influence on markers of metabolic health and cardiovascular disorders [18][19][20][21], inconclusive findings have been reported regarding the effects on body composition [22][23][24][25]. Furthermore, there is a paucity of information about the potential impact of dietary fibres on the age-related loss of muscle mass and functional decline.…”

Child Consumption of Whole Fruit and Fruit Juice Following Six Months of Exposure to a Pediatric Fruit and Vegetable Prescription Program

“…Although consumption of fruit has been associated with a reduced risk of obesity and chronic disease [1][2][3][4][5][6], better psychological well-being [1,[7][8][9], and improved gut health [1,10], intake fails to meet dietary recommendations among all but the youngest children in the US [11,12]. Considering the growing evidence of an association between greater fruit and vegetable consumption during childhood and reduced chronic diseases in adulthood [13][14][15][16], both short-and long-term implications of programs that successfully increase fruit intake among children are likely to be significant.…”

Anti-Atherosclerotic Properties of Wild Rice in Low-Density Lipoprotein Receptor Knockout Mice: The Gut Microbiome, Cytokines, and Metabolomics Study

“…Increased plasma glucose levels are seen during diabetes or insulin resistance in animals as well as humans [37,38]. However, the consumption of high fiber diets is generally recommended to combat complications that are caused by diabetes [39,40]. Wild rice is a rich source of dietary fiber; therefore, this observation seems to be in contrast with our general knowledge and it certainly begs more investigation.…”