Research shows that increasing soluble fiber by 5 to 10g a day reduces LDL cholesterol by about five percent.

Wondering how?

One of the ways soluble fiber may lower blood cholesterol is through its ability to reduce the amount of bile reabsorbed in the intestines.

When fiber interferes with the absorption of bile in the intestines, the bile is excreted in the feces. To make up for this loss of bile, the liver makes more bile salts. The body uses cholesterol to make bile salts.

So in order to obtain the cholesterol necessary to make more bile salts, the liver must increase its production of LDL receptors.

These receptors are responsible for pulling cholesterol out of LDL molecules in the bloodstream. Therefore, the more bile salts are made from the liver, the more LDL cholesterol is pulled from the blood.

Pretty cool human body, huh?

It also helps prevent some cancers, and reduces blood pressure.