Inverse association between fruit, legume, and cereal fiber and the risk of metabolic syndrome: Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study

Abstract

Aims: To evaluate the association between total dietary fiber and its types and sources with the risk of MetS.

Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study was conducted on a representative sample of 2457 adults (1327 male and 1130 female), aged 19-84 years. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semiquantitative food-frequency questionnaire. Anthropometrics, blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose and lipids were measured according to standard protocols. The MetS was defined according to definition by Adult Treatment Panel III.

Results: Multivariate-adjusted odds ratio of MetS between highest and lowest quartiles was 0.53 (95% CI: 0.39-0.74; P for trend <0.05) for total dietary fiber, 0.60 (0.43-0.84; P for trend <0.05) for soluble fiber, and 0.51 (0.35-0.72; P for trend <0.05) for insoluble fiber. Among sources of dietary fiber, fruit fiber (OR: 0.51; 95% CI: 0.37-0.72), cereal fiber (0.74; 0.57-0.97), and legume fiber (0.73; 0.53-0.99) were inversely associated with the risk of MetS, after adjustment for confounding factors. Intake of vegetable fiber and nut fiber were unrelated to the risk of MetS.

Conclusions: Total dietary fiber, soluble- and insoluble fiber, fruit fiber, cereal fiber and legume fiber were associated with a protective effect for the presence of MetS among this Tehranian population.