Ingestion of beta-glucan may improve sugar control

Beta-glucan is a polysaccharide in the form of fiber and the main element of fiber in grains such as barley, oats, yeast and mushrooms. Studies have examined the efficacy of beta-glucan in terms of the lipid lowering effects, blood sugar reduction, weight reduction, immune modulator, and anticarcinogenic effect.

Poppitt SD and co-workers from University of Auckland NZ (email s.poppitt@auckland.ac.nz) wrote "There is growing support for the protective role of soluble fibre in type II diabetes. Soluble fibre beta-glucan found in cereal products including oats and barley may be the active component. A high dose barley beta-glucan supplement can improve glucose control when added to a high-CHO starchy food, probably due to increased gastro-intestinal viscosity, but not when added to a high-CHO beverage where rapid absorption combined with decreased beta-glucan concentration and viscosity may obviate this mechanism." [1]

Naumann E from Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands wrote "Beta-glucan lowers serum concentrations of total and LDL cholesterol when incorporated into a fruit drink. A reduced cholesterol absorption contributes to the cholesterol-lowering effect of beta-glucan without affecting plasma concentrations of lipid-soluble antioxidants." [2]

[1] Supplementation of a high-carbohydrate breakfast with barley beta-glucan improves postprandial glycaemic response for meals but not beverages. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2007;16(1):16-24. [2]

[2] Beta-glucan incorporated into a fruit drink effectively lowers serum LDL-cholesterol concentrations.Am J Clin Nutr. 2006 Mar;83(3):601-5