EN
Dietary carbohydrates may affect in different extent the cholesterol level in animal tissues. There is no conclusive evidence regarding the effect of mono- and disaccharides on cholesterol metabolism. The effect of starch depends on the type of plant of origin. A vast body of experimental evidence indicates that the potato starch is hypowhile the wheat starch is hypercholesterolemic. The cholesterolemic effect of starches is probably connected with the changes in rates of food passage through the alimentary tract. Soluble fibres (gums, pectins) are more hypocholesterolemic than the cellulose. Cholesterolemic effect of fibres is probably related to increased excretion of bile acids and reduced cholesterol synthesis by short chain fatty acids originated as a result of fibre fermentation in large intestine.