title: Role of dietary beta-glucans in the prevention of the metabolic syndrome.
abstract: 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.
authors: Biomedical Nutrition, Pure and Applied Biochemistry, Centre for Applied Life Sciences at Lund University, Lund, Sweden. lieselotte.cloetens@tbiokem.lth.se
authors: Lieselotte
authors: L
authors: Cloetens
authors: Matilda
authors: M
authors: Ulmius
authors: Anna
authors: A
authors: Johansson-Persson
authors: Björn
authors: B
authors: Akesson
authors: Gunilla
authors: G
authors: Onning
mesh_terms: D001066:Appetite / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism; D002149:Energy Intake / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D005285:Fermentation; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000382:microbiology*; D006801:Humans; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome / Q000517:prevention & control*; D012528:Satiety Response / Q000502:physiology; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D004043:Dietary Fiber; D047071:beta-Glucans