Beta Glucans News and Research

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What makes truffles more than a delicacy? They’re packed with bioactive compounds

Italian researchers reviewed the chemical composition and biological potential of truffles, identifying them as rich sources of antioxidants, polysaccharides, sterols, and vitamins. The review highlights their promise as functional foods and natural therapeutics, while emphasizing the need for sustainable cultivation and clinical validation.

11 Nov 2025

Mushrooms deliver nutrition medicine and sustainability solutions in one package

This Food Science & Nutrition review highlights mushrooms as nutrient-rich functional foods packed with bioactive compounds that support human health. It explores their therapeutic, industrial, and environmental applications, from disease prevention and drug discovery to bioremediation and bioenergy.

8 Sep 2025

High-fiber diets transform gut microbiome, improving health across multiple diseases

Researchers identified two competing guilds of gut bacteria, one beneficial and one harmful, which can predict health outcomes and treatment success in diseases like type 2 diabetes.

8 Oct 2024

Exploring the impact of solid oat polar lipid-enriched breakfasts on metabolic health

Researchers investigate if oat polar lipid compounds improve glucose tolerance, gut hormonal responses, and triglyceridemia.

20 Oct 2023

What is the impact of mushroom consumption on cardiometabolic health?

Researchers reviewed the effect of mushroom consumption on the risk factors, morbidity, and mortality associated with cardiometabolic diseases.

24 Feb 2023

Genome research explains why oats could be suitable for most people with celiac disease

Ground-breaking new research published in Nature has decoded the genome of oats and explained why the popular cereal could be suitable for most people with coeliac disease and gluten intolerance.

18 May 2022

Conflicting COVID messages create cloud of confusion around public health and prevention

Regina Fargis didn't know what to do. Fargis runs Summit Hills — a health and retirement community in Spartanburg, South Carolina, that offers skilled nursing, activities and communal meals for its residents, most of whom are over 60, the highest-risk category for coronavirus complications.

29 Jun 2020

New discovery could help reduce heart disease and boost nutrition security

A new discovery at the University of Queensland could help reduce heart disease and boost nutrition security - the access to balanced nourishment - globally.

6 Dec 2016

Azti-Tecnalia optimizes industrial production of oat beta-glucan-based white bread

Azti-Tecnalia, the expert R&D centre for foodstuff and marine innovation, together with Artadi Alimentación, has achieved the industrial scale-up of white bread dough containing oat beta-glucans that lower blood cholesterol, thus optimising the formula for industrial processing conditions that will allow this bread to be marketed on a large scale.

20 Oct 2015

New collection of papers adds to mounting evidence of gut microbiome’s influential role in health

A newly released collection of papers, the result of the Gut in Focus Symposium Nobel Forum held earlier this year, is adding to the mounting evidence of the influential role the gut microbiome plays in health.

1 Jul 2015

University of Adelaide researchers to produce better quality pasta with health properties

University of Adelaide researchers are working with colleagues in Italy to produce better quality pasta that also adds greater value to human health.

30 Aug 2012

FibeBiotics aims to prove benefits of polysaccharides in clinical trials

Staying healthy requires constantly stimulating the immune system. Ingesting non-digestible fibres such as polysaccharides is thought to help. Yet companies including such ingredients in their food products cannot claim that they boost the immune system. At least, not until they have been scientifically tested and proven in clinical trials. Only then, would the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) allow such health claims.

18 Aug 2012

Nuclear radiation exposure more serious than previously believed

Recent news reports and scientific reviews warn that nuclear radiation exposure is more serious than we believed. Just recently, the UK Guardian published an article titled, "Fukushima reactor shows radiation levels much higher than thought."

25 May 2012

Financial incentives for purchasing a healthier food option

The aging baby boomers and subsequent generations will be looking to the food industry to provide products that can help them live longer, healthier and more active lives than previous generations, according to research presented at the Institute of Food Technologists' Wellness 12 meeting.

5 Apr 2012

Beta-glucans can help wounds to heal quickly

Can wounds be helped to heal faster? Yes, says a Norwegian company whose product's active ingredient, beta-glucans, comes from common baker's yeast.

8 Sep 2011

Genetic mutations may put individuals at increased risk for fungal infections

New research has identified two genetic mutations that may put individuals at increased risk for fungal infections. The research focused on patients with severe fungal infections (primarily of the genus Candida), but the findings may also have implications for patients who have more common mild infections.

29 Oct 2009

Alacer launches new Emergen-C, a vitamin drink to boost immune systems

Emergen-C Immune+(TM) is a new formula providing a fun, healthy and convenient way to get a concentrated boost of immune-strengthening nutrients. The new Emergen-C Immune+ is comprised of the original Emergen-C(®)( )formula, containing 1,000 milligrams of vitamin C, plus a proprietary immune complex with beta glucans, a healthy dose of zinc and a host of other nutrients - all working together to help support the body's natural immune function.

22 Oct 2009

New discovery on how fruits and vegetables protect from cancer

Scientists have found a new possible explanation for why people who eat more fruit and vegetables may gain protection against the spread of cancers.

12 Oct 2008

Mushrooms help lower cholesterol and keep hearts healthy

An analysis of previously uncharted chemical contents, mostly carbohydrates, in U.S.-consumed mushrooms shows that these fruity edible bodies of fungi could be tailored into dietary plans to help fill various nutritional needs.

14 Feb 2005

Research has identified Dectin-1 as the beta-glucan receptor on immune cells

This finding may be of use in the prophylactic prevention of a variety of infections, especially in surgical patients, and in the treatment of cancer. The identification of Dectin-1 as the beta-glucan receptor may also provide a novel strategy for combating fungal infections.

10 Oct 2004