Which statement is incorrect regarding dietary fibers?

RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2024

Applied Nutrition & Dietetics

Easy

Appeared in: RUHS, Jaipur, PB B.Sc Nursing Entrance-2024

Explanation

The statement that dietary fiber increases the risk of bowel cancer is factually incorrect.
Scientific evidence shows a protective role of dietary fiber against colorectal carcinoma.
Low fiber intake is associated with an increased risk of colon cancer, not high intake.
Fiber reduces cancer risk by increasing stool bulk, decreasing gut transit time, and through the production of protective short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) like butyrate during fermentation.

Option A: This is a correct statement. Dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber, is well-known to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering blood cholesterol levels.
Option B: This is a correct statement. Fiber, especially insoluble fiber, absorbs water in the intestine, which increases stool bulk and aids in preventing constipation.
Option C: This is a correct statement. Dietary fiber is a component of plant cells and is not found in foods derived from animals, such as meat, milk, or eggs.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Properties and health effects of dietary fiber as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Nurses should educate patients on the benefits of a high-fiber diet for the prevention of chronic diseases, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, diverticular disease, and certain types of cancer.
The recommended daily intake of dietary fiber for adults is about 30 grams, which can be achieved by consuming a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes.
What if? If a patient has a condition like acute diverticulitis or is recovering from bowel surgery, a low-fiber or low-residue diet is temporarily recommended to allow the bowel to rest, which is the opposite of the general health advice.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify that the question is a 'negative' question, asking for the INCORRECT statement. This means three of the options will be true, and one will be false.
Read each option carefully and evaluate its factual accuracy based on your knowledge of dietary fiber.
Recall the main functions and health benefits of fiber: it aids digestion (bulk-forming), lowers cholesterol (reduces heart disease risk), and is found in plants.
Analyze the statement about cancer risk. It is widely known that fiber is protective against bowel cancer, not a cause.
The statement that contradicts established medical facts is the incorrect one and, therefore, the correct answer to this question.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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