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Introduction
The beneficial impact of a high-fiber diet is something that has been promoted in nutrition for a long period of time. But there remain a variety of interesting questions to researchers, practitioners and the general public alike.
How much fiber do we actually need? What are current fiber recommendations based on? What outcomes have the strongest evidence for benefit? Should we have targets for fiber sub-types? Are some types of fiber “better” than others? Do functional fibers added to food products still retain the benefits we see with dietary fiber?
To help get to some evidence-based answers on these issues, our guest in this episode is one of the researchers at the forefront of dietary fiber research for decades, Professor Joanne Slavin.
Related resources
- Join the Sigma newsletter for free
- Subscribe to Sigma Nutrition Premium
- Become a member of Alan Flanagan’s Alinea Nutrition Education Hub
- Further reading:
- Slavin, 2013 – Fiber and Prebiotics: Mechanisms and Health Benefits
- Slavin, 2008 – Position of the American Dietetic Association: health implications of dietary fiber
- McKeown et al., 2022 – Fibre intake for optimal health: how can healthcare professionals support people to reach dietary recommendations?
- Early Fiber Research
- Recommended Fiber Intakes
- Defining Fiber & Essentiality
- Fiber Subtypes & Classification
- Example: Viscous Fibers
- Plant Protein
Guest Information
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She has an active research group currently working in gut health, satiety, and related health outcomes. Prof. Slavin is a highly-respected researcher and is widely known for her work on dietary fiber, whole grains, and plant foods.
She is the author of more than 250 scientific publications and numerous book chapters and review articles. She was a member of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee for the US Department of Agriculture. Dr. Slavin received B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is a registered dietitian.
Danny Lennon has a master’s degree (MSc.) in Nutritional Sciences from University College Cork, and he is the founder of Sigma Nutrition.
Danny is currently a member of the Advisory Board of the Sports Nutrition Association, the global regulatory body responsible for the standardisation of best practice in the sports nutrition profession.
Introduction to this Episode
The beneficial impact of a high-fiber diet is something that has been promoted in nutrition for a long period of time. But there remain a variety of interesting questions to researchers, practitioners and the general public alike.
How much fiber do we actually need?
What are current fiber recommendations based on?
What outcomes have the strongest evidence for benefit?
Should we have targets for fiber subtypes?
Are some types of fiber “better” than others?
Do functional fibers added to food products still retain the benefits we see with dietary fiber?
To help get to some evidence-based answers on these issues, our guest in this episode is one of the researchers at the forefront of dietary fiber research for decades, Professor Joanne Slavin.
Connection to Previous Episodes
#439: Prof. David Jenkins – Lipid-Lowering Diets
- In the discussion with Prof. Slavin, we mentioned the work of Prof. David Jenkins, both in the early fiber research as well as his ʻPortfolio Dietʼ.
- In the episode with Prof. Jenkins, we discussed the origins of the glycaemic index and the role of dietary fiber, include the work of Dr. Burkitt.
- In addition, we discussed the evidence on how viscous fibers play a role in lipid-lowering.
- You can find the episode page here.
