Fiber, particularly soluble fiber, slows digestion and the absorption of sugar (glucose) into the bloodstream.
Here's a breakdown of how fiber achieves this:
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Slowing Digestion: Soluble fiber absorbs water in the digestive tract, forming a gel-like substance. This gel slows down the rate at which food moves through the stomach and intestines.
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Regulating Blood Sugar: Because digestion is slowed, the absorption of glucose from food is also slowed. This prevents rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, which is beneficial for overall health and particularly important for managing diabetes. The reference text explicitly states that soluble fibers slow digestion to decrease glucose absorption.
In short, by slowing digestion, fiber contributes to better blood sugar control and a feeling of fullness.
