The chances are, you’re one of the 96 percent who aren’t getting enough fibre. And I’m not talking a little bit off the mark. For most of us, our intake is seriously lacking. Why does that matter? Because given everything we now know about what fibre does for our gut, our brain, our metabolism, our mood, our weight and our long-term disease risk, it’s an easy fix that we’re missing.
Joining me on the podcast is Dr Emily Leeming, a dietitian and researcher at King's College London, who’s spent years studying the relationship between what we eat and the health of our gut microbiome. Her new book, Fibre Power, makes the case – compellingly and practically – that fibre may be the most underrated nutrient in our diets. As a scientist, a
clinician who works directly with patients, and a former chef, her advice is
evidence-based yet grounded in what works in a real kitchen, for real people.
In this episode we explore what fibre is, where it’s found, and why it’s so much more than a digestive aid. Emily explains how it feeds the trillions of microbes living in your gut, and why those microbes (and the compounds they produce) have a reach that extends to your immune system, your
metabolism, your brain, your hormones, and your risk of serious disease. We look at the evidence linking fibre intake to lower rates of type 2 diabetes, heart disease, bowel cancer, and depression. Emily also shares findings from the major bowel-cancer study she’s running at King's, investigating why rates in the under-50s are on the rise.
Crucially, our conversation is packed with actionable advice. I love Emily’s simple, memorable frameworks for building more fibre into your meals without overhauling your diet, spending more money, or filling yourself with gas! We also spend time on the people for whom blanket advice doesn't always apply, such as those with IBS, type 2 diabetes, people navigating the menopause or following certain diets. And Emily has solutions for every scenario.
Fibre is so much more than a dull, functional food. It’s one of the most researched nutrients in existence. So whether you’ve never thought much about it, or you already know it matters but keep falling short, I think this episode will give you both the motivation and the tools to include more of it. Small shifts, made consistently, really do add up – and this conversation is an inspiring place to start.
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DISCLAIMER: The content in the podcast and on this webpage is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your doctor or qualified healthcare provider. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have heard on the podcast or on my website.
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