Arteriosclerosis is triggered by the constriction of blood vessels caused when plaque forms as a result of a high blood cholesterol level. Medication often is prescribed to counter a high cholesterol level but a healthy diet--marked by a high level of soluble dietary fibers--plays an important role in lowering cholesterol.
Product concepts enriched with soluble dietary fibers can combine taste and health. Pectin, mostly known as a thickener and gelling agent, is one such soluble dietary fiber. Studies have shown that pectin has a high potential to significantly lower the "bad"? cholesterol in blood serum1, but maintain the "good" HDL cholesterol, which has a protective function against arteriosclerosis. "With pectin, it is possible to create products that both taste good and improve the health of the consumer," says Frank Mattes, president of Herbstreith Fox USA (Elmsford, N.Y.). The positive effect of pectin is proportional to the blood cholesterol level and, therefore, more beneficial for consumers with increased LDL levels.2