Which statement describes soluble fiber's effect on cholesterol and blood sugar?

• A. Insoluble fiber has the same effect
• B. Soluble fiber helps decrease cholesterol and regulate blood sugar.
• C. Soluble fiber increases cholesterol.
• D. Insoluble fiber has no effect on blood sugar.

Answer: (B)

Soluble fiber lowers LDL cholesterol and helps regulate blood sugar by forming a viscous gel in the digestive tract. This gel binds bile acids, which are made from cholesterol; as bile acids are excreted, the liver pulls more cholesterol from the blood to make new bile acids, reducing circulating LDL. At the same time, the gel slows gastric emptying and carbohydrate absorption, dampening the post-meal rise in blood glucose and insulin. Fermentation of soluble fiber by gut bacteria also yields short-chain fatty acids that may further modulate cholesterol synthesis and glucose metabolism. Insoluble fiber, by contrast, mainly increases stool bulk and speeds transit without directly affecting cholesterol or postprandial blood sugar, so the statement that soluble fiber has this effect best captures the specific action of soluble fiber. This principle is reflected in dietary sources like oats, barley, legumes, and certain fruits.