Which of the following best explains how fiber slows energy absorption from food?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Let’s break down the question to understand what each option is saying about how fiber affects energy absorption from food.
Option 1: 'Fiber reduces the production of hormones and neurotransmitters by the gut microbiome.' This statement attributes changes in hormonal and neurotransmitter production to fiber, but while gut microbiota can influence metabolism, the primary way fiber affects energy absorption is not by altering gut hormone production. This option misstates the main mechanism.
Option 2: 'Fiber stimulates insulin production in the pancreas.' Insulin regulation is more about glucose handling after absorption, but fiber itself slows the rate of glucose entry into the bloodstream rather than directly prompting insulin production. Therefore this option confuses digestion rate with pancreatic insulin secretion.
Option 3: 'Fiber lines the intestines, slowing the absorption of food into the bloodstream.' This description aligns with the established effect of soluble fiber forming a viscous layer that slows gastric emptying and slows nutrient absorption, leading to a steadier rise in blood glucose. It captures the core mechanism by which fiber reduces the rate at which energy enters the bloodstream.
Option 4: 'Fiber promotes digestion, which increases the rate of nutrient absorption.' The word 'promotes digestion' is vague, but the consequence described—an increased rate of nutrient absorption—contradicts the well-supported effect of fiber, which tends to slow absorption rather than hasten it. This makes the statement inaccurate for the question’s focus on energy absorption pace.
In summary, the correct concept is that fiber physically influences the transit and absorption process in the intestines, leading to a slower entry of nutrients into the bloodstream, while the other options describe mechanisms that are not how fiber primarily works or state the opposite effect.

Which of the following best explains how fiber slows energy absorption from food?

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