title: Effect of beta-glucans in the control of blood glucose levels of diabetic patients: a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Functional foods have been widely utilized to reduce the symptoms of various diseases such as diabetes mellitus (DM). Among the foods used to combat these effects are soluble fibres, mainly those rich in beta- glucans (BGs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the effects of beta-glucans (BGs) on glucose plasmatic levels of diabetic individuals.
  
  
  METHODS
  A search was conducted using the Pubmed, Science Direct and Scielo databases using the keywords: diabetes mellitus and beta-glucan and glucose and glycaemia. As inclusion criteria, only studies on diabetic human individuals (type 1 or type 2) who consumed BGs were selected.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Of the 819 initial articles retrieved, only 10 fit the inclusion criteria and were used in the study. It was observed that doses around 6.0g/person/ day, for at least 4 weeks were sufficient to provoke improvements in the blood glucose levels and also lipid parameters of individuals with DM. However, glucose levels do not reach normal levels using BG alone. Low doses of BG for at least 12 weeks were also reported to promote metabolic benefits.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Based on previous research, it was concluded that the ingestion of BGs was efficient in decreasing glucose levels of diabetic patients. The consumption of greater doses or smaller doses for longer periods of time produced better results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Physiology and Pharmacology Area, Federal University of Lavras, Mail Box 3037, Zip Code 37200-000, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.. ericfrancelinoandrade@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Eric
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Francelino Andrade
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Physiology and Pharmacology Area, Federal University of Lavras, Mail Box 3037, Zip Code 37200-000, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.. vieira.raquel@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Raquel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vieira Lobato
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Physiology and Pharmacology Area, Federal University of Lavras, Mail Box 3037, Zip Code 37200-000, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.. ticianavasques@uol.com.br.
authors.forename: Ticiana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Vasques Araújo
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Physiology and Pharmacology Area, Federal University of Lavras, Mail Box 3037, Zip Code 37200-000, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.. zangeronimo@prpg.ufla.br.
authors.forename: Márcio
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gilberto Zangerônimo
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Physiology and Pharmacology Area, Federal University of Lavras, Mail Box 3037, Zip Code 37200-000, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.. rvsousa@dmv.ufla.br.
authors.forename: Raimundo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Vicente Sousa
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Medicine, Physiology and Pharmacology Area, Federal University of Lavras, Mail Box 3037, Zip Code 37200-000, Lavras, Minas Gerais, Brazil.. lucianopereiraufla@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: José Pereira
mesh_terms: D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D055951:Functional Food; D006801:Humans; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D047071:beta-Glucans / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D007004:Hypoglycemic Agents; D047071:beta-Glucans