Consumo de fibra dietética en Ecuador, enfermedades cardiovasculares y diabetes tipo II. Un enfoque basado en la evidencia

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) are among the leading causes of morbidity in Ecuador. Adequate dietary fiber intake has shown protective effects against these conditions, yet consumption among the Ecuadorian population remains insufficient. This study evaluated the relationship between low fiber intake and the prevalence of T2D and CVD. A literature review was conducted using digital databases such as PubMed, Scielo, ScienceDirect, Scopus, Taylor & Francis, and PMC. No restrictions were applied regarding publication year or language. A total of 33 studies related to fiber consumption, cardiovascular disease, and type 2 diabetes were included. The research concludes that higher fiber intake is associated with a 20 - 25% reduction in the risk of T2D and a 15-30% reduction in CVD. Improvements were observed in glucose levels, LDL cholesterol, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers. These findings suggest that low fiber consumption in Ecuador contributes to the high prevalence of T2D and CVD.