Low cancer and cardiovascular disease mortality risk is associated with regular consumption of diets rich in cereal fiber.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to assess dietary intake of cereal fiber in relation to total, cancer, cardiovascular, and inflammatory disease mortality risk. Researchers collated and analyzed data obtained from 14 published studies.

Researchers observed a low incidence of deaths from cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and other causes among regular consumers of fiber from cereals. On the other hand, generous intake of cereal fiber was found to have no effect on mortality from inflammatory diseases. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that habitual consumption of diets high in cereal fiber may decrease the rates of cancer- and cardiovascular-disease-related deaths in the general population.