Health implications of fibre-depleted diets

In many different parts of the world the pattern of diseases has changed or is changing from one mainly of infections to one of degenerative diseases. Simultaneously, alterations in the pattern of diet have occurred or are occurring. A major alteration is depletion of fibre-containing foods of high bulk-forming capacity. Epidemiological evidence, short-term studies on man and experimental investigations on animals suggest that fibre-depleted diets are a major, or perhaps even the basic cause of the increasing prevalence of several degenerative diseases. Although much further research is essential, available evidence warrants recommending an increase in the intake of fibre-containing foods, especially those of cereal origin.