Many people wassail orange tree succus for vitamin C when they feel a frigidity or flu come on , but if work on rodents bear witness transferable , they might get more benefit from eat up the rind . The find is something of a surprise because previous work lead scientist to think that mellow - fiber diets might actually decrease immunity . or else , something more complex and intriguing happened .
Dietary fibre might seem unrelated to the immune system , butprevious researchhas indicated a connection . It is opine this occurs through the output of light - range fatty acids ( SCFAs ) by bowel bacterium in response to soluble fibre in the dieting .
" The beneficial effects of dietary fiber and SCFAs on a variety of chronic inflammatory disease , include asthma and allergies , have received substantial attention in recent years , ” saidProfessor Benjamin Marslandof Monash University in astatement . " But we were concerned that these treatment might lead to a general dampening of immune response and could increase susceptibleness to infection . "
Marsland reveal two groups of mice , one on a diet high in the soluble dietetic fiber inulin , and the other fed indissoluble cellulose , to the influenza A virus . Far from the inulin - eaters getting sicker , as might be expected if the SCFAs subdue their immune systems , they actually appeared healthier . He told IFLScience ; “ The control mice huddle together together , their fur shuffle , they looked like they had the flu . The mice on the high-pitched inulin diet run around the cage and looked healthy . ” Blood and lung tests confirmed show .
Surprised , Marsland and his colleagues extend the experiment again with new black eye , and a normally deadly dosage of the flu computer virus . The gamey - inulin mouse got sick but survived .
“ dietetical fiber was selectively turning off part of our resistant system , while turning on another , completely unrelated part of our immune organization , " Marsland conclude . The aspects of the immune system that get inflammation were being dialed down , reducing damage to lung cell , just as occurs for allergies and asthma in the presence of SCFAs . On the other paw , Marsland report inImmunity , the T - cell that kill cells infect by pathogens became far more active , providing a powerful viral defence reaction .
Marsland stressed to IFLScience it is of import to be deliberate extrapolating from rodent research , but say we have it off human catgut bacteria also bring on SCFAs when we increase our soluble fiber usance . What Marsland hope to quiz is how much extra fiber we need to make a meaningful benefit , and which sort of soluble fibre work best .
Inulin is already sum to some processed solid food and is found in garlic , onions , and Jerusalem artichokes . The Robert Peel of citrus fruit is a particularly rich source , so fall in out the marmalade .
