A new study suggests that individuals who eat a diet high in fiber have a reduced risk for developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which is a group of lung diseases that includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

The study, which is published in the American Journal of Epidemiology, followed more than 100,000 adults in the U.S. between the years of 1984 and 2000.

According to Reuters, it found that individuals with the highest dietary fiber intake had a one-third lower risk of developing COPD than people who consumed the lowest amount of fiber.

"For COPD prevention, the most important public health message remains smoking cessation, but our data suggest that diet, another modifiable risk factor, might also influence COPD risk," the study’s authors wrote.

Researchers say fiber from grains (versus fiber from fruits and vegetables) was only shown to lower the risk of lung disease.

In addition, they point out that fiber is high in antioxidants and has anti-inflammatory properties that may explain its disease-fighting properties.

Diets high in fiber have also been said to help lower cholesterol and blood sugar levels, prevent constipation and aid in weight loss.

In addition to food sources, nutritional supplements containing fiber may be a good option for those who don’t get enough in their diets.