Cholesterol, Fiber and Oat Bran

Dietary fiber is the term for several materials in the parts of plants that your body can't digest. Fruits, vegetables, whole-grain foods, beans and legumes are all good sources of dietary fiber. Fiber is classified as soluble or insoluble. The American Heart Association Eating Plan suggests that you eat foods high in both types of fiber.

When regularly eaten as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol, soluble fiber has been shown to help lower blood cholesterol. Foods high in soluble fiber include oat bran, oatmeal, beans, peas, rice bran, barley, citrus fruits, strawberries and apple pulp.

Insoluble fiber doesn't seem to help lower blood cholesterol. But it's an important aid in normal bowel function. Foods high in insoluble fiber include whole-wheat breads, wheat cereals, wheat bran, cabbage, beets, carrots, Brussels sprouts, turnips, cauliflower and apple skin.

Many commercial oat bran and wheat bran products (muffins, chips, waffles) actually contain very little bran. They may also be high in sodium, total fat and saturated fat. We recommend reading the labels on all packaged foods.
http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4494
High Fiber Health