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Exercise and Recovery

β-Glucan isn’t a performance booster, but short studies (early human trials and animal studies) suggest it may modestly support exercise recovery by dampening some inflammation/fatigue signals and, in endurance settings, reducing the burden of cold-like symptoms.

    Written by:
    1. Beta Glucan PhD Team,

      Beta Glucan PhD Team

      Beta Glucan PhD Team

    We analyze peer-reviewed research on supplements.

    We rely on peer-reviewed scientific research to determine what’s truly effective. Our goal is to provide clear, unbiased information to help you make better health decisions.

    We use AI tools to help summarize studies, and every piece of content is reviewed and approved by qualified experts, ensuring it’s accurate and trustworthy.

    Beta Glucan is fully independent — we don’t sell products, run ads, or accept sponsorships. Our only focus is delivering reliable, science-backed insights.

    Podcast

    Athletic Immunity & Recovery

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    A daily Euglena (β-glucan) supplement for 3 months was linked to fewer and milder colds and less tiredness in endurance-trained adultsNew

    Short-term yeast beta-glucan supplementation reduced selected inflammatory signals after heat-stressed exercise without altering muscle damage or strength outcomes.New

    Purified oat beta-glucan increased treadmill endurance and shifted fatigue-related metabolic markers in trained rats.New

    In male mice, 28 days of the water-soluble beta-glucan Salecan was associated with longer swim-to-exhaustion time and more favorable post-exercise biomarkers compared with untreated swim controls.New

    Ten days of yeast β-glucan tweaked immune cells and “Th1-type” signals after a tough workout in the heatNew

    Daily yeast β-glucan didn’t reduce how often runners got colds, but it made symptoms milder and reduced missed workouts after a marathon. New

    Yeast β-glucan may help the body’s first-line defenses respond more effectively after exerciseNew

    A month of daily β-glucan modestly boosted grip strength and fitness in young athletes and shifted blood molecules linked to the body’s creatine energy systemNew

    A β-glucan Drink Supplement Reduces the Severity of Cold Symptoms in Marathon Runners New

    Boosting Mucosal Immunity and Reducing Cold/Flu Symptoms After Strenuous Exercise via Yeast β-GlucanNew

    1. Zabriskie Yeast Beta-Glucan Supplementation Downregulates Markers of Systemic Inflammation after Heated Treadmill Exercise 2020
    2. Mah Beverage Containing Dispersible Yeast β-Glucan Decreases Cold/Flu Symptomatic Days After Intense Exercise: A Randomized Controlled Trial 2020
    3. McFarlin Oral Supplementation with Baker's Yeast Beta Glucan Is Associated with Altered Monocytes, T Cells and Cytokines following a Bout of Strenuous Exercise 2017
    4. McFarlin Baker's yeast beta glucan supplementation was associated with an improved innate immune mRNA expression response after exercise 2024
    5. Wang Plasma Metabolomics Reveals β-Glucan Improves Muscle Strength and Exercise Capacity in Athletes 2022
    6. Xu Effects of oat β-glucan on endurance exercise and its anti-fatigue properties in trained rats 2013
    7. Xu β-glucan Salecan Improves Exercise Performance and Displays Anti-Fatigue Effects through Regulating Energy Metabolism and Oxidative Stress in Mice 2018
    8. Evans Effect of a Euglena gracilis Fermentate on Immune Function in Healthy, Active Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial 2019

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