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High-fiber diet linked to reduced risk for COPD

By Jeremy Cockerill | February 23, 2010

Source: MedWire News

A diet high in fiber, particularly from cereals, is associated with a reduced risk for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), researchers have found.

Previous studies have suggested that, in addition to smoking, general diet may also be associated with COPD risk. Indeed, a western-style diet, which is high in cured and red meats, refined grains, and saturated fats, has been associated with an increased risk for COPD, and a “prudent” diet, which is high in fruit, vegetables, fish, and whole grains, has been associated with a reduced risk for the condition.

However, few studies have investigated the risk for COPD associated with intake of specific food and nutrients, explain Raphaëlle Varraso (INSERM, Villejuif, France) and team.

To investigate the risk for COPD associated with intake of dietary fiber, which is known to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, the researchers studied dietary data collected from questionnaires completed by 111,580 US men and women who participated in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study and the Nurses’ Health Study between 1984 and 2000.

Average intake of total fiber and of fiber from specific sources, such as cereal, fruit, and vegetables, was calculated and divided into quintiles.

In total, 832 participants developed new-onset COPD during follow-up.

After accounting for variables such as age, gender, smoking history, energy intake, body mass index, physical activity levels, diabetes, intake of omega-3 fatty acids and cured meat, the researchers found that total dietary fiber intake was negatively associated with risk for newly diagnosed COPD during follow-up.

Indeed, participants in the highest quintile for fiber intake (median 28.4 g/day) were 33% less likely to develop COPD during follow-up than those in the lowest quintile (11.2 g/day).

Regarding fiber from specific sources, only that from cereal was significantly and independently associated with newly diagnosed COPD, after adjustment for variables, with patients in the highest quintile for intake (median 9.0 g/day) being 23% less likely to develop the condition than those in the lowest quintile (median 2.2 g/day).

Varraso and team conclude in the American Journal of Epidemiology: “Intake of fiber, and particularly cereal fiber, was negatively associated with the risk of newly diagnosed COPD.”

They add: “For COPD prevention, the most important public health message remains smoking cessation, but our data suggest that diet, another modifiable risk factor, might also influence COPD risk.”