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A diet high in fibre could protect against flu by boosting the immune system, according to researchers, consuming more of the nutrient which is found in oats, brown rice and raspberries, could increase the body’s antiviral immune response. Hgh-fibre diet also reduced the risk of heart disease and diabetes.
Influenza is one of the most common viral infections in the world, high levels of dietary fibre reduces the effects of asthma and allergies on the lungs while also making the body more resistant to viruses, say scientists at Australia’s Monash University. Researchers carried out tests on mice and found they are protected from being infected with flu when they consume more fibre.
Fibre reduces swelling in the lungs and also activates white blood cells which boosts the mice’s antiviral immunity, protecting them from influenza. The modern Western diet could be reducing the body’s ability to protect against infections because it is high in sugar and fat but low in fibre.
Flu is a common virus and most people are able to recover on their own but those with weakened immune systems and the elderly, can have serious symptoms. Foods high in dietary fibre are; oat bran, lentils, red kidney beans, pearl barley, quinoa, brown rice, aubergine, brussels sprouts, linseeds, raspberries, granary bread, dried figs and almonds.
Dietary fibre comes from plant-based carbohydrates that are not able to be digested in the small intestine so make their way to the large intestine. High-fibre diet can protect against heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Dietary fibre maintains good heart health by reducing levels of cholesterol in the blood, which is considered to be a risk factor for heart disease.
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