Table of contents:
Your body needs fiber, which is commonly found in vegetables and fruits. However, not all fibers are the same. There are two types of dietary fiber that you need to know, namely soluble and insoluble fiber. One example of soluble fiber is beta-glucan which has benefits for lowering cholesterol levels. Come on, learn more about the important role of beta-glucan fiber in the body below.
Benefits of beta-glucan for body cholesterol levels
Beta-glucan (also written as β-glucan) is a polysaccharide that also acts as dietary fiber for the human body. Meanwhile, polysaccharides are a complex type of sugar consisting of a combination of simple sugars (monosaccharides) in food.
Beta-glucan has an important role in the human digestive process. The way it works is by slowing down the rate of food in the intestine. That way, the body will absorb food for a longer time. Because the process of absorption of food occurs slowly, blood sugar tends not to rise suddenly and the stomach will no longer be hungry.
The benefits of beta-glucan don't end there. One of the most researched benefits of beta-glucan is cholesterol control. According to a number of studies, the natural ingredients in these foods can interact with blood lipids (fats), thereby lowering cholesterol levels in the blood.
A 2018 study, explained how the benefits of beta-glucan in controlling cholesterol remain normal, namely:
- Beta-glucan fiber can form a thick substance that prolongs gastric emptying, inhibits the transfer of triglycerides and cholesterol in the intestine. This role can reduce the absorption of LDL (low density lipoprotein, also known as bad fats.
- Beta-glucan fiber is also able to bind bile acids, monoglycerides, free fatty acids, and cholesterol. The role of beta-glucan in this process can help the body reduce high cholesterol levels.
How can you benefit from beta-glucan?
Beta-glucan fiber is needed to keep cholesterol levels in balance. Actually, cholesterol is not always bad for your body. Cholesterol is still needed by the body as a cell-forming component and plays a role in various biochemical activities in the body, such as the formation of bile acids, steroid hormones, and vitamin D.
However, when bad cholesterol levels exceed normal limits, various health problems can occur. High cholesterol levels can accumulate in the liver, causing fatty liver or it can also form plaque around blood vessels, causing heart disease.
If you keep your cholesterol levels normal, it means you are maintaining a healthy function of the heart and other important organs in the body. You can get the benefits of beta-glucan which can lower cholesterol by increasing your intake of foods with this content.
Generally, fiber is found in many fruits and vegetables. However, beta-glucan fiber is more abundant in whole grains, wheat, oats, baker's yeast, maitake mushrooms, and reishi mushrooms. Apart from food, beta-glucan fiber can also be obtained from drinks containing milk that are fortified with beta-glucan content.
In addition to eating foods that contain beta-glucan fiber, lowering cholesterol levels will be more effective if followed by a healthier lifestyle. You still need to maintain a diet, exercise routine, and get enough rest. Don't forget, consult your doctor about implementing a healthier lifestyle as well as to check cholesterol levels in the body to keep it normal.
x
