How much more would supplement and food producers sell if the labels on their products included the following benefits:
- Lowers cholesterol
- Reduces the risk of cancer
- Boosts immunity
- Increases heart health
- Regulates blood sugar
Regardless of their health, most customers would find these benefits attractive and worth spending money on.
So, how can you add these benefits to your products? What’s the magic ingredient?
While there’s still some uncertainty around the benefits,betaglucanmight provide that magic ingredient.
So,what is betaglucan, and what should both food producers know about it? And can betaglucan really deliver the benefits mentioned earlier?
We explore the answers to each of those questions (and more) in the paragraphs below.
Let’s get into it.
What is betaglucan & how does it work?
Betaglucan is a naturally occurring fiber found in plants such as oats, rice, wheat, barley, and rye, along with several bacteria, yeasts, fungi, and algae (including seaweed). And while they appear naturally in certain foods, beta-glucans also appear on the market in supplement forms ranging from powders to capsules.
Because betaglucan is a soluble fiber, the human body cannot digest it. And while this might sound like a drawback, this specific trait gives beta-glucan its potential health benefits.
Since your body cannot digest betaglucan, it slows the movement of food through the intestines. This allows the body to absorb carbohydrates at a slower rate, which helps regulate blood sugar and potentially remove cholesterol along the way.
Potential benefits of betaglucan for consumers
Although betaglucan still needs further studying, early studies suggest a variety of potential benefits to human health.
These possible benefits of beta-glucan include:
Bolstering the immune system: While more evidence is needed to verify this claim, some early studies suggest that beta-glucan might support immune health by activating immune cells and protecting the body against infection. In certain cases, researchers found that betaglucan reduces markers used to measure inflammation.
Lowering cholesterol while increasing heart health: Studies have also revealed that beta-glucans derived from yeast can help lower cholesterol, including LDL ("bad") cholesterol. At the same time, betaglucan does not seem to suppress HDL ("good") cholesterol and triglycerides. In the end, the effects of betaglucan on cholesterol help increase heart health.
Indirectly assisting with weight loss: By increasing the time it takes for your body to digest food, betaglucan keeps you full for longer, suppressing the appetite. By suppressing the appetite, betaglucan makes it easier to reduce caloric intake and lose weight.
Regulating blood sugar: Although more research is required, several studies found that betaglucan might help individuals with diabetes regulate their blood sugar levels. It seems betaglucan works especially well to this end when combined with other treatments and dietary modifications.
Can potentially help extend life in cancer patients: While more research is needed, beta-glucans might help certain cancer patients live longer. One study, in particular, showed that combining a beta-glucan called lentinan with chemotherapy can help gastric cancer patients extend their lives.
So, how much betaglucan is safe to consume?
Both researchers and government agencies have yet to establish a standard dose for beta-glucan, which means that serving size recommendations differ depending on the source and brand.
Most studies so far use servings of betaglucan ranging from two to six grams taken orally for up to twelve weeks on a daily basis. Usually, the betaglucan used in these studies comes specifically from oats.
When using betaglucan derived from yeast, researchers have utilized doses that range from 250 and 500 milligrams once a day for up to twelve weeks. Based on the research so far, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) concluded that three grams of betaglucan consumed each day is the amount necessary to help lower cholesterol.
Again, many of the claims about beta-glucans still require more research to verify with confidence. However, that hasn’t stopped food producers from using betaglucan in their products and touting its potential benefits—verified or not.
So, what risks do brands face when using betaglucan in supplements and foods?
Understanding the risks food & supplement producers face with betaglucan
If food producers plan on adding betaglucan of any kind to their products, they need to know the risks involved.
Here’s what to watch out for:
Potentially risky for certain individuals with health conditions: While some studies show that AIDS patients benefit from using certain beta-glucans, other studies indicate that betaglucan might also put AIDS patients at risk. Again, while early research considers betaglucan generally safe, many sources recommend that individuals avoid taking beta-glucans if they use certain drugs that suppress the immune system or modulate blood pressure.
Side effects when taken in excess: While considered safe under most general circ*mstances, betaglucan can cause bloating, flatulence, and gas if taken beyond the recommended serving amount. To keep customers from having a bad experience with their products, food and supplement producers need to ensure serving sizes are abundantly clear and accurate when listed on labels.
Making misleading claims: Although many of the early claims around betaglucan sound promising, food and supplement producers need to proceed with caution when making claims about the health effects of betaglucan. Because more research is necessary, brands should take extra caution with how they portray betaglucan to consumers.
Reporting incorrect amounts on labels: The right amount of betaglucan —around two to six grams— can potentially help support a consumer’s health. Any more than that, and you might run into problems like gas and bloating.
For this reason, supplement and food producers want to ensure they report and label accurate amounts of betaglucan in their products. That’s where third-party testing can help
And when it comes to third-party testing, Medallion Labs makes the process quick, affordable, and easy.
Quick, accurate, affordable testing for foods & supplements containing betaglucan
When it comes to finding out exactly how much betaglucan a food product or supplement contains, Medallion Labs offers a solution.
Testing options through Medallion Labs help food and supplement producers maximize testing budgets and receive results quickly.
While researchers still have more to learn about betaglucan, food and supplement producers know for a fact that customers want products containing this amazing compound. Medallion Labs can help supplement and food producers capitalize on this opportunity.
To discover how we can help you test for betaglucan and get your products safely on the shelves and into the carts of willing customers, contact us online or call us at 1-800-245-5615.
