Fiber may decrease the palatability of food and thus reduce food intake. Fiber bulks up foods and decreases its energy density. Soluble fiber absorbs water to form a gel, further increasing its volume. This effect helps fill the stomach, which increases satiety. (Stomach distention may signal a sensation of fullness or satiety through the vagus nerve.) Increased bulk may also mean that the stomach takes more time to empty. Therefore, after meals rich in fiber, blood glucose and insulin levels are slower to rise. In some studies, half the variance of the glucose response to starchy foods
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