Definitions for "Soluble Fiber"
Keywords:  pectin, bran, dietary, oat, gum
A type of dietary fiber found in psyllium, cereals, oatmeal, apples, citrus fruits, beans and other foods which increases the viscosity in the gut and acts to reduce high blood cholesterol levels which decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
Fiber is a carb that is not absorbed by the body, and therefore, does not affect blood sugar levels. Soluble fiber soaks up carbs like a sponge, hindering their absorption into the bloodstream.
These plant fibers (such as pectin) swell or thicken when water is added. Like insoluble fiber, it is not absorbed in the digestive tract, but binds sugars and releases them gradually, which keeps blood sugar levels steady. Soluble fiber also absorbs bile acids and cholesterol, and sends them out of the digestive tract before they can be absorbed into the bloodstream.