The importance of dietary fiber as part of a balanced diet for human health is widely recognized. The β-glucans are a type of soluble fiber for which effects on glycemia, insulinemia levels, cholesterol, and immunity have been proposed.
Beta glucans are long chains of glucose molecules that form a non-digestible fiber. Beta glucan is found in various organisms, including cereal grains like oat and barley, fungi, bacteria, and algae.
Different sources of beta-glucan
Beta glucans exist in a variety of structures and serve different purposes depending on the source. Those different structures impact how the beta glucans interact with their bodies and when we consume them, and what health benefits are associated with them, but not all beta glucans are the same. These different sources of beta glucans can have different health benefits based on their function, structure, size, and solubility.
In this article, we will discuss the different sources of beta glucan and their functions.
1. Beta-glucans from cereals (oat, barley)
The structure of Beta-glucans from cereals
It is a viscous polysaccharide made up of units of the monosaccharide D-glucose. Oat beta glucan is composed of mixed-linkage polysaccharides. This means the bonds between the D-glucose units are either beta-(1,3) linkages or beta-(1,4) linkages.
The function of Beta-glucans from cereals
See that cellulose found in plants is a 1,4 structure and is associated with gut motility. Oat and barley have beta glucan that has mostly 1,4 linkages but also has some alternating 1,3 linkages. This structure is associated with cardiovascular health benefits. Those benefits are often advertised on the boxes of whole-grain cereals, the big heart.
The effects are proposed to be mediated by the gel-forming properties of oat β-glucan, which modulates host bile acid and cholesterol metabolism and potentially removes intestinal cholesterol for excretion. However, the gut microbiota has emerged as a major factor regulating cholesterol metabolism in the host.
2. Beta-glucans from yeast and fungi(mushroom)
The structure of beta-glucans from yeast and fungi
The β-glucan present in yeast and fungi was composed of (1,3) linkages and (1, 6) linked branches. The difference between them is that β-glucans of mushrooms have short β(1,6)-linked branches whereas those of yeast have β(1,6)-side branches with additional β(1,3) regions. Yeast beta-glucan is a long chain of polysaccharides.
The function of beta-glucans from yeast and fungi
Levedura beta-glucana exists in the cell wall of yeast and is well-known for the functions of immunity-enhancing, anti-infection, anti-tumor, and so on.
Beta-1,3/1,6-glucan derived from baker’s yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) is the most studied beta-glucan and is by far the best documented in terms of immune stimulatory efficacy and safety is hence considered superior to beta-glucans from other sources.
3. Beta-glucans from bacteria and algae
The structure of beta-glucans from bacteria and algae
β-Glucan obtained from bacteria and algae show as a linear β-(1,3) glucan structure.
The function of beta-glucans from bacteria and algae
The main function of this 1,3-bonded glucan is to promote intestinal health and some of the beta glucan from algae have a function to enhance immunity.
Foods high in beta glucan
There are also many foods high in beta glucan, including barley fiber, oats, whole grains, reishi, maitake and shiitake mushrooms, seaweed, algae.
The best way to intake the beta glucan
Many food manufacturers add beta glucan to functional drinks and foods as a supplement. The best way to consume glucan is to eat foods containing high-purity beta glucan.
Before buying that kind of product, it’s necessary to learn different beta glucan sources and their functions.
32 Respostas
I have been surfing on-line greater than 3 hours nowadays, but I by no means discovered any attention-grabbing article like yours. It is pretty value enough for me. In my opinion, if all site owners and bloggers made just right content material as you probably did, the web might be much more helpful than ever before.
Simply wish to say your article is as surprising. The clearness to your post is simply nice and i can suppose you’re knowledgeable on this subject. Well with your permission allow me to grab your RSS feed to stay up to date with imminent post. Thanks one million and please keep up the gratifying work.
Your home is valueble for me. Thanks!…
Wohh exactly what I was looking for, appreciate it for posting.
What i don’t realize is in reality how you’re no longer actually a lot more smartly-appreciated than you may be right now. You are so intelligent. You understand therefore considerably relating to this topic, produced me for my part believe it from so many various angles. Its like women and men don’t seem to be fascinated unless it?¦s one thing to accomplish with Lady gaga! Your individual stuffs outstanding. Always handle it up!
I think this web site contains some very wonderful info for everyone :D. “When you get a thing the way you want it, leave it alone.” by Sir Winston Leonard Spenser Churchill.
Howdy! I’m at work browsing your blog from my new apple iphone! Just wanted to say I love reading through your blog and look forward to all your posts! Carry on the fantastic work!
We’re a group of volunteers and starting a new scheme in our community. Your web site offered us with valuable info to work on. You have done a formidable job and our whole community will be thankful to you.
That is the correct blog for anybody who wants to seek out out about this topic. You notice a lot its virtually exhausting to argue with you (not that I actually would need…HaHa). You undoubtedly put a new spin on a subject thats been written about for years. Nice stuff, just nice!
I like this post, enjoyed this one thanks for posting. “The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.” by Albert Einstein.
Some really wonderful info , Gladiola I discovered this.
I appreciate you sharing this blog post.Really looking forward to read more. Much obliged.
Howdy! Do you use Twitter? I’d like to follow you if that would be okay. I’m undoubtedly enjoying your blog and look forward to new posts.
I am not rattling good with English but I come up this really leisurely to read .
I loved as much as you’ll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored subject matter stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an nervousness over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again as exactly the same nearly very often inside case you shield this increase.
I like this post, enjoyed this one thankyou for posting.
Utterly pent content material, thank you for selective information. “Necessity is the mother of taking chances.” by Mark Twain.
Some genuinely nice stuff on this web site, I like it.
Fiquei muito feliz em encontrar este site da internet no bing, exatamente o que eu estava procurando também salvo nos favoritos