Dietary fibre and mineral metabolism

Current dietary recommendations urge, inter alia, an increased consumption of fibre-containing foods. Some experimental studies made on various animals and man indicate that the associated increases in intakes of fibre and phytic acid may prejudice mineral status respecting calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc. An examination has been made of the experimental evidence, also of the epidemiological evidence on numerous types of populations, past and present, developing and developed. It has been concluded that diets high in fibre, characteristically do not have meaningful ill effects on well-being or unequivocally enhance morbidity. In particular populations in certain regions where deleterious effects have been reported it is judged that local factors, not wholly understood, are in operation. In assessing the extent of the benefit to be derived from the dietary changes urged, results must be viewed holistically and not in isolation. It is believed that the beneficial effects respecting reduced pronenesses to various degenerative diseases are likely to far outweigh the possible adverse effects of reduced bioavailability of mineral nutrients.