Fiber acts as a bulking agent in the stomach and intestine, which means you feel fuller and may eat less.1-5 Soluble fiber attracts water and forms a gel-like substance as it passes through the digestive tract. This slows digestion and lowers the rate of nutrient absorption, helping to maintain glucose and cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range.3-7
Insoluble fiber acts as a natural laxative that speeds the passage of foods through the stomach. When the non-digestible fibers reach the colon, anaerobic bacteria degrade them through fermentation. This process produces byproducts known as short-chain fatty acids, which help maintain proper acid/base balance in the colon and may be beneficial to healthy colonic mucosa function.
Low-fat diets rich in fiber-containing grain products, fruits, and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer.8-10 Diets low in saturated fat and cholesterol and rich in fruits, vegetables, and grain products that contain some types of dietary fiber, particularly soluble fiber, may reduce the risk of heart disease.11-13
Cocoa polyphenols and beta-glucans have shown distinct positive benefits with regard to the risk factors associated with vascular problems.
Cocoa polyphenols increase the production of nitric oxide, a key factor in improving blood vessel dilation and blood flow.14 Cocoa polyphenols also have a beneficial effect on the lipid profile and help protect against platelet overactivation, a dangerous culprit in vascular damage. By keeping the inner lining of blood vessels healthy, cocoa polyphenols therefore help to maintain a healthy cardiovascular system.15-22
Beta-glucans work in synergy with cocoa polyphenols by helping maintain healthy cholesterol levels for those already within normal range and a good glycemic response.23-26 Beta-glucans provide lipid-promoting benefits and help prevent the dangerous after-meal surge in blood glucose.27 Beta-glucans are also an excellent source of low-glycemic carbohydrates.
CocoaGold™ with Beta-Glucan is a neutral tasting, unsweetened beta-glucan complex that blends the healthy benefits of oats and fiber along with cocoa polyphenols in each serving. |