Protein gets all the attention, but Japan wants us to think about fiber

Protein has been everywhere lately, with loads of attention given to high-protein drinks, snacks, and the like. But there's another important part of a healthy diet that often gets overlooked, and that's fiber.

Japan already has plenty of everyday foods that are good sources of fiber, including things like beans, mushrooms, and seaweed to name just a few. Now, a new project is putting the spotlight on fiber, specifically the type that gut bacteria can use.

The initiative is launching a two-week monitoring trial involving lunches rich in fermentable dietary fiber. The researchers want to see how participants respond to eating these meals, and learn more about how fiber-rich foods can fit into everyday eating habits.

The whole topic is something that I have a keen interest in, as I've got a family history of colon cancer, and dietary fiber is one of those things that helps to lessen the risks!