Which specific type of soluble fiber in lettuce actively works to reduce dietary cholesterol absorption in the gut?
Answer
Pectin
The fiber profile of lettuce contributes positively to cardiovascular health through mechanisms beyond just digestive regularity. Specifically, lettuce contains pectin, which is categorized as a soluble fiber. Pectin actively interacts within the digestive tract to minimize the amount of cholesterol absorbed from consumed food into the bloodstream. It achieves this by interfering with the formation of micelles—the structures necessary for fat and cholesterol absorption—during the process of digestion in the intestines, thereby supporting lower overall cholesterol levels.
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