Role of dietary beta-glucans in the prevention of the metabolic syndrome.

Summary, in English

The present review examines the evidence regarding the effect of β-glucan on variables linked to the metabolic syndrome (MetS), including appetite control, glucose control, hypertension, and gut microbiota composition. Appetite control can indirectly influence MetS by inducing a decreased energy intake, and promising results for a β-glucan intake to decrease appetite have been found using gut hormone responses and subjective appetite indicators. Beta-glucan also improves the glycemic index of meals and beneficially influences glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes or MetS, as well as in healthy subjects. Furthermore, a blood-pressure-lowering effect of β-glucan in hypertensive subjects seems fairly well substantiated. The gut microbiota composition might be an interesting target to prevent MetS, and preliminary results indicate the prebiotic potential of β-glucan. The evidence that β-glucan influences appetite control and gut microbiota in a positive way is still insufficient or difficult to interpret, and additional studies are needed in this field. Still, much evidence indicates that increased β-glucan intake could prevent MetS. Such evidence should encourage increased efforts toward the development of β-glucan-containing functional foods and promote the intake of β-glucan-rich foods, with the aim of reducing healthcare costs and disease prevalence.

• Author: Lieselotte Cloetens; Matilda Ulmius; Anna Johansson Persson; Björn Åkesson; Gunilla Önning
• Department/s: Pure and Applied Biochemistry
• Publishing year: 2012
• Language: English
• Pages: 444-458
• Publication/Series: Nutrition Reviews
• Volume: 70
• Issue: 8
• Links: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1753-4887.2012.00494.x
• Document type: Journal article
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• Topic: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Status: Published
• ISBN/ISSN/Other: ISSN: 1753-4887