Muesli is a Swiss and German breakfast staple consisting of raw rolled oats, multiple grains, fresh or dried fruits, nuts and seeds. It is minimally processed and is known to be an excellent source of fiber and protein. Due to its high fiber characteristic, research scientists at the Friedrich-Alexander-Universitat Erlangen-Numberg (FAU) recently published their findings that eating muesli can positively influence chronic inflammatory joint diseases while building strong bones.
The researchers published their findings in the January 2018 issue of the journal, Nature Communications. There, they explain how metabolites found in gut bacteria affect our immune system. The mice used in their experiments that were exposed to a high fiber diet experienced an increase in these metabolites. Healthy intestinal bacteria are the link between diet and health as they combat pathogens in the digestive tract.
The study was led by Dr. Mario Zaiss, who shared that, “We were able to show that a bacteria-friendly diet has an anti-inflammatory effect, as well as a positive effect on bone density. Our findings offer a promising approach for developing innovative therapies for inflammatory joint diseases as well as for treating osteoporosis, which is often suffered by women after the menopause. We are not able to give any specific recommendations for a bacteria-friendly diet at the moment, but eating muesli every morning as well as enough fruit and vegetables throughout the day helps to maintain a rich variety of bacterial species.”
Healthcare professionals, such as those at any primary medical care center or urgent care clinic, now have another weapon in their arsenal as they aim to arm their patients with the best options to prevent and treat the debilitating effects of arthritis and other chronic inflammatory joint diseases. Previous research has also found a link between eating a high fiber diet and lowered risk of bowel cancer, heart disease, strokes, and type 2 diabetes. Dieticians recommend switching from foods such as white bread and pasta to whole grains, and copious amounts of fruits, vegetables, beans, nuts, and seeds.