Doctors have warned a lack of fibre in diets could cause national health problems.
Not eating enough high-fibre foods could lead to deadly illnesses such as cardiovascular disease, bowel cancer or diabetes.
Fibre can be found in fruits, vegetables, wholegrain bread, brown pasta or rice and beans, nuts and seeds.
New research shows just one in 10 people in the UK hit the daily fibre target of 30 grams.
Many Britons do not eat enough fibre
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Not only are people not getting enough, nearly two thirds don't know what fibre is, according to the study by General Mills.
Speaking of the results, a GP with a special interest in diabetes Dr Gill Jenkins shared this can cause health problems and lower quality of life and longevity.
She said: "[The data] tells us that Britons need to plug the fibre gap if they want to live long and healthy lives.
"Not getting enough fibre throughout adulthood has several major health consequences.
"Particular areas of concern – when it comes to our huge fibre fail – include having an increased risk of getting type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or bowel cancer.”
Eating a fibre-rich diet not only helps reduce the risk of disease, it has several health benefits.
Dr Jenkins states: "Fibre helps to manage our blood sugar and blood cholesterol levels.
"It feeds the good bacteria in our gut, it encourages pathogens and other toxins to move through the digestive system and out of the body, and it prevents overeating by helping us feel fuller after meals.
"International health and nutrition authorities agree that fibre consumption is linked with a wide range of health benefits."
Dietician Dr Carrie Ruxton echoed concerns over the study and explained eating an extra 10 grams of fibre a day is enough to improve health.
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Fruit is full of fibre
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Dr Ruxton said: "It’s staggering that around one in 10 deaths from bowel cancer or heart disease globally are simply due to a lack of fibre – something that could easily be fixed.
"Increasing fibre by just 10g a day – the equivalent of three servings of fruit – has been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease by 15 per cent and the risk of bowel cancer by 13 per cent.”
This comes as Britons were warned of the health risks caused by skipping vegetables.
The majority of people do not eat enough which - like a lack of fibre - could cause serious health problems.
