Name: Fibremaxxing.
Age: Brand new.
We’re talking about superfast broadband, right? We are not.
Moral fibre? Nope. Indirectly perhaps …
Kellogg’s All-Bran? Maybe if this was the 1980s. But yes, that kind of fibre. These days it’s more likely to be chia seeds.
What are those? Edible seeds of Salvia hispanica, a plant native to Mexico. Crucially high in fibre.
So is my doormat. Eat that if you like, but its nutritional value is questionable.
And the maxxing bit? Getting the most out of something. See also sleepmaxxing, flavormaxxing …
Are you sure about the double x? I’m thinking about faxing … What is that?
Something in the 1980s. Never mind … It’s probably because it’s from America. Note also the lack of a “u” in “flavor” and it’s spelled “fibermaxxing” there.
I’m guessing this is a gen Z social media trend, right? This time, yes, you’re right. It’s all over TikTok …
I knew that was coming! The New York Times quotes a 25-year-old wellness content creator called Pamela Corral, who posts TikToks of herself eating foods that are high in fibre, one of which got over 10m views.
And what does Pamela have to say about fibre/fiber? “I try to eat it often. So I can make videos.”
Excellent reason. Anything else? “Fiber is super-cool – I think more people should be eating fiber.”
That is super-cool. I’m just wondering if that counts as good, evidence-based nutritional advice? So here’s the thing – and this certainly isn’t true for all social media fads – actual experts kind of agree.
Go on. A landmark study published in 2019 found that a fibre-rich diet reduces the risk of heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer by 16-24%.
So fibre is super-cool, and more people should be eating it, in other words. Yes! Fibre also contributes to a healthy gut and brain. And a 7g daily increase in fibre (what you get from approximately half a tin of beans) can lower the risk of noncommunicable diseases (that aren’t spread from person to person) by up to 9%.
And if I don’t want the beans, where else can I get my fibre from? So many places. Starchy foods, whole grains and potatoes with the skin on. Porridge, rather than sugary cereal, for breakfast. Lots of fruit and vegetables …
I know, the old five a day … No you don’t know. That’s old news: it’s now eight a day.
Eight! Says who? Says a study published in the International Journal of Epidemiology.
Do say: “Sugar? Hell no! Just a sprinkling of chia seeds. Cheers!”
Don’t say: “No, thank you. Fibre gives me wind.”