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Diabetes and Blood Sugar

Beta-glucan, a soluble fiber found in oats and barley, may help improve blood sugar control and insulin sensitivity by slowing carbohydrate absorption and supporting healthy gut bacteria. Research suggests it can modestly lower glucose levels and related risks, though effects vary by dose, duration, and individual metabolic health.

    Written by:
    1. Beta Glucan PhD Team,

      Beta Glucan PhD Team

      Beta Glucan PhD Team

    We analyze peer-reviewed research on supplements.

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    Three weeks of oat or barley flakes at breakfast lowered “bad” cholesterol, and even roasted versions worked the same too.New

    A daily fiber blend from food by-products improved “good” cholesterol and some heart-risk markers in people with overweight or obesity.New

    Barley cereal at breakfast beat corn cereal for weight, blood sugar control, “good-full” feelings and lowered “bad” cholesterol over a 6-week clinical trial.New

    Four weeks of barley β-glucan bread lowered cholesterol and changed gut fermentation toward “good” metabolites.New

    A daily yeast-fiber supplement improved insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes without changing their gut bacteria.New

    A yeast fiber (β-glucan) lowered blood sugar and reduced liver fat in diabetic mice by blocking gut absorption and resetting liver metabolism.New

    Barley fiber changed liver and fat-tissue genes for fat handling and improved health markers in obese miceNew

    A yeast fiber (β-glucan) trained gut immunity and gut bacteria and helped delay type 1 diabetes (T1D) progression in miceNew

    “Refined” lab diets sped up aging-like problems in mouse liver and brain; adding fiber slowed memory decline but didn’t fix liver issues. New

    Yeast Beta-Glucan Improves Metabolic and Inflammatory Markers in Obese Dogs with Insulin ResistanceNew

    1. Fuse Effect of High β-glucan Barley on Postprandial Blood Glucose and Insulin Levels in Type 2 Diabetic Patients 2020
    2. Pino Effect of dietary supplementation with oat β-glucan for 3 months in subjects with type 2 diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, controlled clinical trial 2021
    3. Hjorth Effectiveness of regular oat β-glucan–enriched bread compared with whole-grain wheat bread on long-term glycemic control in adults at risk of type 2 diabetes: a randomized controlled trial 2025
    4. Ghalwash The interplay between oat beta-glucan, gut microbiota and gut-liver axis in treatment of obesity associated non-alcoholic steatohepatitis and Type II diabetes mellitus 2022
    5. Cicero A randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Medium-Term Effects of Oat Fibers on Human Health: The Beta-Glucan Effects on Lipid Profile, Glycemia and inTestinal Health (BELT) Study 2020
    6. Wang Oat β-Glucan Ameliorates Renal Function and Gut Microbiota in Diabetic Rats 2022
    7. Grip Development of a novel beta-glucan supplemented hydrogel spray formulation and wound healing efficacy in a db/db diabetic mouse model 2022
    8. Negm The role of (1,3)-beta-D-glucan (BDG), as noninvasive technique for detection of invasive fungal infection (IFI) 2021
    9. Chakraborty Biomedical aspects of beta-glucan on glucose metabolism and its role on primary gene PIK3R1 2022
    10. Shi β-glucan attenuates cognitive impairment via the gut-brain axis in diet-induced obese mice 2020
    11. Ferriera Metabolic variables of obese dogs with insulin resistance supplemented with yeast beta-glucan 2022
    12. Kromm Aging-related decline in the liver and brain is accelerated by refined diet consumption 2025
    13. Gudi Complex dietary polysaccharide modulates gut immune function and microbiota, and promotes protection from autoimmune diabetes 2019
    14. Mio Effects of β-glucan Rich Barley Flour on Glucose and Lipid Metabolism in the Ileum, Liver, and Adipose Tissues of High-Fat Diet Induced-Obesity Model Male Mice Analyzed by DNA Microarray 2020
    15. Cao Orally Administered Baker's Yeast β‑Glucan Promotes Glucose and Lipid Homeostasis in the Livers of Obesity and Diabetes Model Mice 2017
    16. Cronin Yeast β-glucan supplementation lowers insulin resistance without altering microbiota composition compared with placebo in subjects with type II diabetes: a phase I exploratory study 2024
    17. Velikonja Alterations in gut microbiota composition and metabolic parameters after dietary intervention with barley beta glucans in patients with high risk for metabolic syndrome development 2019
    18. Kang Barley-Based Cereals Enhance Metabolic Health and Satiety in Overweight Korean Adults: A Randomized Trial 2025
    19. Santisteban Efficacy of Food Industry By-Product β-Glucan/Chitin-Chitosan on Lipid Profile of Overweight and Obese Individuals: Sustainability and Nutraceuticals 2024
    20. Reiners Effect of a regular consumption of traditional and roasted oat and barley flakes on blood lipids and glucose metabolism-A randomized crossover trial 2023

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