Fibres as functional foods and the effects on gut hormones: The example of β-glucans in a single arm pilot study

Abstract

Nutritional styles as Mediterranean and DASH diets are associated with lower incidences of certain chronic diseases and long life expectancy. The reason lays on their different contribution in fibers, polyphenols (from vegetables and fruit) and proteins. Barley is high fiber cereal that contains high amount of β-glucans and insoluble fibers that it was recognized having healthy benefits. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of β-glucans intake on glycaemic response, cholesterol and intestinal hormones levels. A single arm pilot study was performed with ten healthy individual which, consumed pasta enriched with 6% β-glucans for 30 days. Blood was collected at fasting and at multiple intervals until 180 min after the test meal consumption. The results showed that pasta modify plasma levels of gut hormones and low density lipoprotein levels. These results add another piece of evidence to the role of the alimentary interventions to preserve healthy status.