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Once dismissed as little more than “roughage,” fibre has emerged as a quiet powerhouse in the fight against chronic diseases and a linchpin for overall wellbeing.

Yet, despite mounting scientific evidence and growing public awareness, fibre remains conspicuously absent from most modern diets, especially in the Western world.

A global team of researchers, led by from the University of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app (ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app), is working to change that, using artificial intelligence to help society reach their personalised fibre goals and combat rising rates of metabolic syndrome.

The project, which draws on the expertise of ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app’s , an expert in diet and public health, , whose research interest lies in artificial intelligence, and , a specialist in health data and digital tools, received close to $500,000 last year as part of the National Health and Medical Research Centre’s eAsia Research Project grants.

The team has been awarded a cumulative $1,093,853 for the three-year project, including $495,547 from the NHMRC in Australia, $237,283 from BRIN in Indonesia, $227,238 from PMU-B in Thailand, and $133,785 from DOST-PCHRD in the Philippines.

Together, they are developing science-based, tailored strategies to improve health outcomes using dietary fibre and cutting-edge technology.   

For scientists like Professor Huang and Dr Neale, the fascination with health goes beyond the laboratory.

Professor Huang, who is based in Molecular Horizons, said this drive to bridge the gap between scientific discovery and real-world impact has led the multidisciplinary research team to focus on fibre - a nutrient that, despite its unassuming reputation, is proving to be a central player in human health.

“Modern diets are often low in fibre, and that’s a problem. Fibre is more than just good for digestion; it plays a powerful role in preventing serious health issues like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease. Our research is showing that one-size-fits-all nutrition doesn’t work,” he says.

“As a medical scientist, I’ve always been drawn to the intersection between nutrition, brain health, and chronic disease. Health research allows us to turn fundamental scientific discoveries into practical strategies that can improve people’s lives. Understanding the root causes of diseases like obesity and metabolic syndrome - and finding ways to prevent them through nutrition and lifestyle - is both scientifically challenging and deeply rewarding.”

The link with metabolic syndrome

What is metabolic syndrome?

Metabolic syndrome refers to a cluster of conditions, such as obesity, high-blood pressure, insulin resistance, and dyslipidaemia that contribute to heart attack, diabetes, and stroke.

It is a chronic illness that is on the rise, affecting significant swathes of the Western (and now developing) world.

In Australia and the United States, rates of metabolic syndrome sit at around 30 per cent of the population. In Asia, it is a growing epidemic, as Westernised food infiltrates lifestyle habits. The rising prevalence of metabolic syndrome in East Asia countries places enormous pressure on their health systems and their economies, highlighting an urgent need for a new intervention.

But how can fibre combat metabolic syndrome, and other health conditions?

“Fibre plays a crucial role in digestion, gut health, and metabolic regulation,” Professor Huang says.

“It nourishes beneficial gut bacteria, produces short-chain fatty acids that protect the intestinal lining, and helps regulate blood sugar and cholesterol.”

The international team - spanning Australia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines - is combining clinical studies with AI and machine learning to better understand individual responses to fibre and create tailored interventions to improve health outcomes.

Where has all the fibre gone?

Despite its proven benefits, fibre is often “the forgotten nutrient in Western diets, which are dominated by ultra-processed and low-fibre foods,” Professor Huang observes.

The rise of convenience foods, white bread, sugary cereals, and fast food has pushed fibre-rich staples - like whole grains, legumes, fruits, and vegetables - to the sidelines. The result? “Most people fall far short of the recommended daily intake,” he says.

This shortfall has significant consequences. The lack of fibre in the typical Western diet is now recognised as a key contributor to the growing epidemic of chronic diseases, from obesity to diabetes and cardiovascular disorders.

Found in the indigestible parts of plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes, fibre is a unique type of carbohydrate that our bodies cannot digest. Dietary recommendations suggest that adult women should consume 25 grams per day, which rises to 30 grams for men. However, when it comes to reducing our risk of chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and some types of cancers, we should be aiming for a higher target, 28 grams per day for women, and 38 grams per day for men.

^{Professor Khin Than Win talks with the group of researchers involved in the project. Photo: Michael Gray}

There are two main types of dietary fibre – soluble and insoluble – which are both essential for the body’s health and wellbeing. Soluble fibre, found in foods like fruit and vegetables, and oats, absorbs water and help to slow the movement of food through the digestive tract; insoluble fibre, found in the skins of fruit and vegetable and whole grain breads, does not absorb water and helps food pass quickly through the digestive tract. 

“Reintroducing fibre in meaningful amounts could be a game changer for public health,” says Professor Huang, an expert in molecular nutrition and obesity.

In essence, fibre is a multi-tasker: it feeds beneficial bacteria in the gut, helps keep us full, stabilises blood sugar, and may even influence our mood and cognitive function.

A personalised approach

Increased fibre intake shows significant promise in bringing down rising levels of metabolic syndrome, Professor Huang says. Previously, treatment has relied on calorie restriction, in hopes that reducing one’s weight will reduce one’s symptoms. Yet, this one size fits all approach does not work.

The ÌìÃÀ´«Ã½app research team will focus on using machine learning, a subset of artificial intelligence, to examine the molecular mechanisms underlying metabolic syndrome. This data will then inform personalised nutrition and lifestyle plans that incorporate an increased fibre intake, based on the individual’s needs, metabolism, dietary preferences, and activity levels. 

“Low fibre intake is strongly associated with higher risk of metabolic syndrome. Fibre helps regulate insulin sensitivity, reduces inflammation, and supports weight control—all key factors in preventing the syndrome," Professor Huang said.

The team’s research goes even deeper: “Fibre can positively influence gut microbiota and metabolic hormones, both of which play central roles in the development of metabolic syndrome. We aim to use this knowledge to personalise dietary strategies that are more effective than generic guidelines.”

With so many variables—from genetics to lifestyle to gut microbiome—how can individuals know how much fibre they need, and from which sources? The answer may lie in technology.

“AI and machine learning can analyse complex data—from genetics to diet to microbiome composition—to identify how individuals respond to different types and amounts of fibre,” he explains.

“This technology allows us to predict who will benefit most from specific interventions and to develop personalised nutrition plans. In the future, AI could power apps or digital tools that guide users toward fibre-rich foods tailored to their unique biology.”

The forgotten nutrient

Dr Neale highlighted low intakes of fibre in Australia as an ongoing concern.

“Data from the 2011-13 Australian Health Survey suggests that most Australians do not meet recommendations for fibre intake, with less than 20 per cent of adults consuming the recommended amount of fibre to reduce risk of chronic disease. We’re expecting the results of our most recent national dietary survey to be released later this year, so it will be wonderful to see an update of how much Australians are eating.”

The challenge now is not just scientific, but cultural. It requires a shift in how we think about food, how we shop, and how we eat. It means prioritising whole grains over refined ones, choosing beans and lentils, snacking on fruits and nuts, and embracing the diversity of plant-based foods.

By making small, consistent changes to our diets and harnessing the power of technology, we can bring fibre back to the centre of the plate—and reclaim our health in the process.