In the pentose phosphate shunt, glucose 6-phosphate is oxidized to 6-phosphogluconate, which is then decarboxylated to ribulose 5-phosphate. What is the main metabolic role of this pathway?

A) production of ATP and NADH + H⁺
B) regeneration of NADP⁺
C) production of carbohydrates with three to seven carbon atoms, which can be utilized in biosynthesis
D) production of pyruvate to feed the Krebs cycle
E) oxidation of glucose to carbon dioxide