Beta-Glucan
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Beta-Glucan is a dietary supplement with 12 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,580 participants, researched for Immune Support, Cholesterol Management, Blood Sugar Regulation.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Immune Support
StrongCholesterol Management
StrongBlood Sugar Regulation
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Immune Support
To evaluate oat beta-glucan supplementation on immune cell activity in healthy adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To evaluate oat beta-glucan supplementation on immune cell activity in healthy adults
Dose
5.6 g/day oat beta-glucan
Participants
50 healthy adults
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Significant enhancement of natural killer cell activity and improved immunoglobulin levels vs placebo (p<0.05).
How They Measured It
Natural killer cell activity, immunoglobulin levels
To investigate beta-glucan supplementation effect on upper respiratory tract infection incidence
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate beta-glucan supplementation effect on upper respiratory tract infection incidence
Dose
250 mg/day yeast beta-glucan
Participants
100 healthy adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Beta-glucan group showed 23% fewer cold episodes and significantly reduced duration of symptoms.
How They Measured It
Self-reported URTI incidence, immune cell counts
To examine immune-modulating effects of beta-glucan supplementation across multiple RCTs
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To examine immune-modulating effects of beta-glucan supplementation across multiple RCTs
Dose
Various
Participants
Multiple studies pooled
Duration
Various
Results
Beta-glucan supplementation significantly improved immune markers and reduced upper respiratory infection risk.
How They Measured It
Immune cell counts, infection incidence, biomarker levels
To assess beta-glucan effects on fatigue and well-being in healthy adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess beta-glucan effects on fatigue and well-being in healthy adults
Dose
250 mg/day
Participants
77 healthy adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Beta-glucan group reported significantly improved vigour and reduced fatigue scores vs placebo.
How They Measured It
POMS fatigue scale, vigor subscale
Cholesterol Management
To assess the cholesterol-lowering effects of oat beta-glucan fibre in hypercholesterolaemic adults
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess the cholesterol-lowering effects of oat beta-glucan fibre in hypercholesterolaemic adults
Dose
3 g/day oat beta-glucan
Participants
232 mildly hypercholesterolaemic adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
LDL cholesterol reduced by 0.25 mmol/L (p<0.001), non-HDL-C reduced by 6.5% vs placebo.
How They Measured It
LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol
To evaluate cholesterol-lowering effects of oat beta-glucan in RCTs
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To evaluate cholesterol-lowering effects of oat beta-glucan in RCTs
Dose
>=3 g/day
Participants
1514 participants across 28 trials
Duration
Various
Results
Oat beta-glucan significantly reduced LDL-C (MD -0.25 mmol/L) and total cholesterol (MD -0.30 mmol/L).
How They Measured It
LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol
To compare the effect of different molecular weight beta-glucan on cholesterol reduction
Study Type
Randomised, crossover
Purpose
To compare the effect of different molecular weight beta-glucan on cholesterol reduction
Dose
4 g/day high vs low molecular weight oat beta-glucan
Participants
40 mildly hypercholesterolaemic adults
Duration
5 weeks
Results
High molecular weight beta-glucan reduced LDL by 10% and apoB by 8% more than low MW variant.
How They Measured It
LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B
Blood Sugar Regulation
To investigate the effect of beta-glucan on postprandial glycaemic response in type 2 diabetics
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To investigate the effect of beta-glucan on postprandial glycaemic response in type 2 diabetics
Dose
4 g/day oat beta-glucan
Participants
60 type 2 diabetic adults
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant attenuation of postprandial blood glucose (p<0.01) and improved insulin sensitivity vs placebo.
How They Measured It
Blood glucose AUC, insulin response
To examine beta-glucan effects on glycaemic control and gut microbiota in metabolic syndrome
Study Type
Randomised, controlled trial
Purpose
To examine beta-glucan effects on glycaemic control and gut microbiota in metabolic syndrome
Dose
5 g/day
Participants
86 adults with metabolic syndrome
Duration
16 weeks
Results
HbA1c reduced by 0.4% and fasting glucose by 0.9 mmol/L vs placebo; beneficial gut microbiota shifts observed.
How They Measured It
HbA1c, fasting glucose, gut microbiome analysis
To evaluate beta-glucan effects on fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance across RCTs
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
To evaluate beta-glucan effects on fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance across RCTs
Dose
Various
Participants
Pooled from 18 trials
Duration
Various
Results
Beta-glucan significantly reduced fasting insulin and HOMA-IR, with modest effects on fasting glucose.
How They Measured It
Fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR
To assess beta-glucan effects on blood pressure in hypertensive patients
Study Type
Randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled
Purpose
To assess beta-glucan effects on blood pressure in hypertensive patients
Dose
6 g/day oat beta-glucan
Participants
88 hypertensive adults
Duration
6 weeks
Results
Systolic BP reduced by 7.5 mmHg and diastolic BP by 5.5 mmHg vs placebo (p<0.01).
How They Measured It
Systolic and diastolic blood pressure
To quantify effects of beta-glucan on fatigue across RCTs
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To quantify effects of beta-glucan on fatigue across RCTs
Dose
Various
Participants
Pooled from multiple RCTs
Duration
Various
Results
Beta-glucan supplementation associated with significant improvements in fatigue and vigour scores (SMD 0.42).
How They Measured It
Standardised fatigue scales
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Beta-Glucan research
There are currently 12 peer-reviewed studies on Beta-Glucan (Beta-Glucan), involving 1,580 total participants. Research covers Immune support, Cholesterol management, Blood sugar regulation. The overall evidence strength is rated as Very Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Very Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (12 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Beta-Glucan has been researched for: Immune support, Cholesterol management, Blood sugar regulation. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 12 out of 12 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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