Dietary guidelines in many countries recommend that adults consume between 25 and 35 grams of dietary fibre per day.
At the same time, protein has become increasingly prominent in advertising and on social media.
It is featured in a wide range of food products and is often associated with health, fitness and an active lifestyle.
Protein takes centre stage
According to DR, the popularity of protein is partly driven by fitness trends and the marketing of high-protein foods.
Also read: Why most people do not need a magnesium supplement
For many people, protein has become a symbol of healthy living, even though most already consume enough through their regular diet.
In an interview with DR, Daniel Ibsen, associate professor of public health and senior researcher at a diabetes research centre, explains that protein is rarely a nutritional concern in everyday diets.
Fibre plays a different role
Dietary fibre is found in foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruit and legumes.
It cannot be broken down by the body’s enzymes and therefore reaches the gut, where it is processed by gut bacteria.
Also read: When to take common vitamins and minerals for better absorption
A high intake of fibre is associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease, type-2 diabetes and certain types of cancer, according to Daniel Ibsen.
A gap in the diet
Susanne Gjedsted Bügel, professor of nutrition and health at the University of Copenhagen, also explains to DR that dietary fibre supports a healthy gut microbiome and helps protect the intestinal wall.
In addition, fibre-rich foods provide longer-lasting satiety and more stable blood sugar levels.
Protein is not unhealthy, but the challenge is that dietary fibre is often given lower priority in everyday life, despite being one of the most commonly lacking components of modern diets.
Also read: Researcher compares Trump to an ailing former Soviet leader
Sources: DR.dk.
Also read: How exercise needs to change after 50, according to experts