Med. praxi. 2025;22(1):E1-E9 | DOI: 10.36290/med.2024.039

The importance of dietary fibre

Mgr. Bc. Martina Karbanová^1,4, Mgr. Ing. Tereza Vágnerová, Ph.D.^2,3,4

¹ Fyziologický ústav, 1. lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, Praha

² Geriatrická klinika, 1. lékařská fakulta Univerzity Karlovy, Praha

³ Healthy Longevity Clinic, s. r. o., Zlatníky – Hodkovice, Dolní Břežany

⁴ Česká asociace nutričních terapeutů, z. s.

Dietary fiber, a crucial component of plant-based foods, is essential for maintaining health and preventing various diseases. Despite its well-documented benefits, fiber intake in Western populations is significantly below recommended levels, averaging only 15-16 g per day compared to the advised 25–35 g. This deficiency is associated with a higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain types of cancer. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the impact of dietary fiber on health, including its effects on satiety, blood sugar regulation, cholesterol levels, inflammation reduction, and gastrointestinal function. It also highlights the specific benefits of fiber for various pathological conditions such as recovery, post-myocardial infarction, and gastrointestinal disorders. Additionally, fiber‘s role in managing obesity through improved satiety and reduced caloric intake, and its ability to control blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes, are described. Practical dietary recommendations and examples of fiber-rich meals illustrate how to achieve adequate fiber intake. Increasing dietary fiber consumption is crucial for disease prevention and enhancing overall health.

Keywords: dietary fiber, chronic disease prevention, gastrointestinal health, metabolic health, public health

Received: July 31, 2024; Revised: September 11, 2024; Accepted: September 27, 2024; Published: February 20, 2025  Show citation