Eating more fibre is not only good for individual health but also the health of the economy, economic modelling suggests.
A study conducted by Nutrition Research Australia and Deloitte Access Economics shows if every Australian adult added two to three serves of high fibre grain food to their daily diet it could save the economy $3.3 billion in reduced healthcare costs and lost productivity.
If just one serve of high fibre ( 4-5 grams) grain food was added to the diet of every adult each day it could save the economy $1.5 billion and help prevent 64,000 cases of cardiovascular disease and 126,000 cases of type 2 diabetes a year, according to the modelling presented in Canberra on Thursday.
The research, commissioned by Kellogg Australia, was based on data from the 2011-13 Australian Health Survey and has been welcomed by the Assistant Minister for Health, Dr David Gillespie.
"These are Australia's two most prevalent chronic diseases, and have a significant impact on Australia's economy in direct healthcare expenditure and lost productivity.
