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Fibre intake

Current recommendations from the United States National

Academy of Sciences, Institute of Medicine, suggest that adults

should consume 20–35 grams of dietary fibre per day, but the

average American's daily intake of dietary fibre is only 12–18

grams.[34][35]The ADA recommends a minimum of 20–35

g/day for a healthy adult depending on calorie intake (e.g., a

2000 Cal/8400 kJ diet should include 25g of fibre per day).

The ADA's recommendation for children is that intake should

equal age in years plus 5 g/day (e.g., a 4 year old should

consume 9 g/day). No guidelines have yet been established

for the elderly or very ill. Patients with current constipation,

vomiting, and abdominal pain should see a physician. Certain

bulking agents are not commonly recommended with the

prescription of opioids because the slow transit time mixed with

larger stools may lead to severe constipation, pain, or obstruction.

The British Nutrition Foundation has recommended a minimum

fibre intake of 18 g/day for healthy adults.

Fibre recommendations in North America


On average, North Americans consume less than 50% of the

dietary fibre levels recommended for good health. In the preferred

food choices of today's youth, this value may be as low as 20%,

a factor considered by experts as contributing to the obesity levels

seen in many developed countries.[37][38]Recognizing the

growing scientific evidence for physiological benefits of increased

fibre intake, regulatory agencies such as the Food and Drug

Administration (FDA) of the United States have given approvals

to food products making health claims for fibre. In clinical trials to

date, these fibre sources were shown to significantly

reduce blood cholesterol levels, an important factor for general

cardiovascular health,[39] and to lower risk of onset for some

types of cancer.