Austrian young adults eat half the recommended daily fibre, study finds

A recent study has revealed that young adults in Austria consume far less fibre than recommended. On average, they eat just 15.72 grams per day—less than half the suggested minimum. Researchers also found a clear link between low fibre intake and higher body weight in this age group. Health guidelines in German-speaking countries advise adults to eat between 25 and 40 grams of fibre daily. The German Nutrition Society sets the minimum at 30 grams, while the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends 25 to 35 grams. Yet, the study showed that 93.1% of young Austrian adults fail to reach even 25 grams.

The findings highlight a worrying trend: overweight participants consumed an average of 13.18 grams of fibre per day, compared to 16.09 grams for those of normal weight. This suggests that both the amount and type of fibre in a diet may play a role in weight management. Beyond weight, a high-fibre diet supports gut health, boosts immunity, and improves metabolism. It also lowers the risk of chronic diseases. However, most young adults in the study fell short of these benefits due to insufficient intake.

The research confirms that low fibre consumption is common among young Austrian adults. Those with higher body weight tend to eat even less fibre than their peers. Increasing daily fibre could help reduce obesity risks and improve overall health in this population.