It’s been recommended for years to help guard against everything from high cholesterol to irritable bowel syndrome and possibly, colon cancer.

Now there’s another reason to get more fibre.

A new study has found that getting more roughage, fruit, veggies, wheat bran and whole grains, can also lower the risk of breast cancer.

A report in the Globe and Mail cites a new study online in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition examining ten studies of  712,195 women.

Researchers say fibre may protect from breast cancer by binding to estrogen in the digestive tract.   

The daily consumption of fibre on average among Canadians is between 11 and 17 grams, which is half the recommended amount to reap health benefits.

It’s recommended that women aged 19 to 50 consume 25 grams of fibre each day, while men should be getting 38.

For more on the study in the online American Journal of Clinical Nutrition click here.