What is the difference between soluble and insoluble fiber, and which of the two do beans contain?
Neither soluble nor insoluble fiber is digested or absorbed into the bloodstream. The difference between the two is that soluble fiber forms a gel when mixed with liquid, while insoluble fiber does not. Soluble fiber binds with fatty acids, prolonging stomach emptying time so that sugar is released and absorbed more slowly. Its benefits include lowering total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol), therefore reducing the risk of heart disease, and regulating blood sugar for people with diabetes. Insoluble fiber, on the other hand, passes through our bodies largely intact, moving bulk through and balancing the acidity of the intestines. It promotes regular bowel movement, helping to remove toxic waste through the colon in less time, and helps prevent colon cancer by keeping an optimal pH in intestines, which prevent microbes from producing cancerous substance. While beans contain both types of fiber, they are particularly high in soluble fiber content.
