Fiber Can Help You Live Longer

Addding fiber-filled foods to your grocery cart will not only help you feel great but also may increase your life span.

A new study from the National Cancer Institute says the benefits of fiber are endless, including the lowering of heart disease, infectious and respiratory diseases.

Oh, and don't forget, fiber can lower the risk of cancer deaths in men, too.

"This is just one more study proving the effects of a plant-based diet," Dr. Katherine Tallmadge, registered dietician, American Dietetic Association spokeswoman and author of "Diet Simple," told AOL Health.

The research, conducted on more than 388,000 adults ages 50 to 71, showed that men and women who ate the highest amount of fiber were 22 percent less likely to die from any cause compared to those who ate the lowest amount, said lead author Dr. Yikyung Park of the National Cancer Institute.

Fiber acts as a true superfood in controlling diabetes and heart disease risks because it improves cholesterol levels, blood pressure, inflammation and blood sugar levels.

In case the study hasn't convinced you to grab some grains or nuts yet, fiber also has the ability to bind to toxins and move them out of the body quicker. High-fiber diets can promote weight loss by making people feel full, which has its own health-promoting effects.

The list of pros for fiber is miles long, but Americans are still lagging on their daily intake, most getting only 15 grams of fiber a day, much less than the current daily recommendation of 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men.

Dr. Nieca Goldberg, medical director at New York University's Women's Heart Program and American Heart Association spokeswoman, said getting daily fiber can be made easy by just adding some fruit to oatmeal or cereal for breakfast or adding some fruits to a quick and easy salad for lunch.

Visit AOL Health to read more about the fiber study and how to increase your fiber intake.