Let's face it: the world of dietary fiber is a bit like that of used cars. Everyone tells you that they are good, but then you discover that only one actually works. That's what happened to researchers of the University of Arizona when they compared five different types of fiber. The result? Four did nothing special, while oat beta-glucans reduced weight, body fat, and improved glycemic control.
The mechanism? Here comes the beauty: identical to that of Ozempic, but natural and practically free.
Game-Changing Research on Beta-Glucans
Frank Duke and his team at the University of Arizona conducted a study that should give pause to anyone who has ever spent money on fiber supplements. The researchers tested five different fibers in mice fed high-fat diets for 18 weeks: pectin, wheat dextrin, resistant starch, cellulose and oat beta-glucans.
The result was as clear as a punch in the face. Only the mice that had received beta-glucans showed a significant reduction in body weight and fat mass. The others? Nothing at all, even though all the fibers had modified the intestinal microbiota.
But the real breakthrough was understanding why this happens. Beta-glucans specifically increased the presence of a bacterium called Ileibacterium in the intestines of mice, linked in previous studies to weight loss. This bacterium produces increased amounts of butyrate, a metabolite that does an interesting thing: it stimulates the release of natural GLP-1.
The Secret Mechanism That Mimics Slimming Drugs
Here's where the story gets fascinating. GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) is the same hormone that drugs like Ozempic artificially mimic to control appetite and aid weight loss. In practice, Oat beta-glucans naturally activate the same mechanism that these expensive drugs try to chemically replicate.
“Part of the benefits of dietary fiber consumption occurs through the release of GLP-1 and other intestinal peptides that regulate appetite and body weight,” explains Duca.
But there’s more. Butyrate produced by beta-glucans does more than just stimulate GLP-1. It also improves the health of the intestinal barrier and acts on peripheral organs such as the liver, creating a metabolic cascade that goes far beyond simple appetite control.
Why Oat Beta-Glucans Are Special
The difference between beta-glucans and other fibers is their unique molecular structure. These polysaccharides form highly viscous solutions in the intestine., slowing the absorption of sugars and fats, but above all they provide the perfect substrate for the right intestinal bacteria.
THEEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA) recommends at least 3 grams of beta-glucans per day to obtain cholesterol benefits. But this new study suggests the effects on weight could be even more significant.
The original research was published in The Journal of Nutrition and represents the first time that different fibers have been directly compared in the same study. Beta-glucans are found mainly in oats (up to 8 grams per 100 grams of dry weight) and barley (up to 20 grams per 100 grams). As we have highlighted in this article, dietary fiber is essential for cardiovascular and metabolic health.
The results open interesting perspectives for the development of specific nutritional strategies against obesity, suggesting that not all fibers are the same and that beta-glucans could represent a real natural weapon against overweight.
So, next time you make breakfast, remember that those oats may be a lot more powerful than you think. And the results may surprise you.
