A Randomized Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Medium-Term Effects of Oat Fibers on Human Health: The Beta-Glucan Effects on Lipid Profile, Glycemia and inTestinal Health (BELT) Study

Cicero AFG, Fogacci F, Veronesi M, Strocchi E, Grandi E, Rizzoli E, Poli A, Marangoni F, Borghi C · Nutrients · 2020 March 03

DOI 10.3390/nu12030686

Objective

To investigate the effects of 3 g/day oat beta-glucans on plasma lipids, fasting glucose, and self-perceived intestinal well-being in individuals with moderate hypercholesterolemia and a low cardiovascular risk profile.

Conclusions

The study concluded that supplementation with oat beta-glucans resulted in significant reductions in LDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and non-HDL-cholesterol levels, but did not affect fasting plasma glucose or self-perceived intestinal well-being.

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Insights

Daily intake of 3 grams of oat beta-glucans significantly reduces LDL-Cholesterol, Total Cholesterol, and non-HDL-Cholesterol levels without impacting intestinal well-being or glucose levels.

The BELT Study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over randomized clinical trial conducted over 8 weeks. It involved 83 Italian subjects with moderate hypercholesterolemia, who had low cardiovascular risk and followed a Mediterranean diet. The participants were administered either 3g/day of oat beta-glucans or a placebo. The results indicated that beta-glucans significantly reduced LDL-C, TC, and non-HDL-C levels in participants from both the baseline and the 4 and 8-week marks. However, no notable impact was observed on fasting plasma glucose or self-perceived intestinal well-being. These outcomes remained consistent irrespective of whether the subjects were given the beta-glucans or the placebo.