Get to Know "Beta-Glucan": A Future-Focused Immune System Booster

What is Beta-Glucan? Let's find out together. Beta-glucan is a naturally occurring compound. It's a type of dietary fiber that the human body cannot digest, but it has numerous health benefits. Beta-glucan is found abundantly in foods such as various mushrooms like maitake, reishi, and shiitake, as well as in grains like oats and barley, and in wakame seaweed.

History of Beta-Glucan 

In a small village in Asia, villagers had a tradition of regularly drinking reishi mushroom tea for health. They noticed that those who drank it regularly were often stronger and fell ill less frequently than others. Meanwhile, on the other side of the world in Europe, ancient Vikings used yeast in beer fermentation, unknowingly benefiting from the beta-glucan in yeast.

Properties of Beta-Glucan 

Currently, the properties of beta-glucan have been widely studied and are becoming increasingly popular.

• Research by Ebbeskotte et al. in 2014 indicated that beta-glucan helps stimulate white blood cell activity, strengthening the immune system.

• A study by Sievenpiper et al. in 2016 stated that beta-glucan has properties that help reduce blood LDL levels, benefiting heart and blood vessel health.

• Research by Kogan et al. in 2005 found that beta-glucan has antioxidant properties, which help reduce cell damage caused by oxidation processes, a major cause of cell deterioration and aging.

• Research by Du et al. in 2019 showed that beta-glucan has anti-inflammatory properties, including against chronic inflammation, which is a key factor in accelerating cell deterioration.

Things You Might Not Know About Beta-Glucan

• Effect on sleep: A preliminary study by Talbott in 2012 showed that beta-glucan might help improve sleep quality.

• Effect on inflammation: Research by Jesenak in 2016 indicated that beta-glucan has properties that help reduce allergies and various inflammations.

In the 21st century, research on beta-glucan has expanded widely. It's being used more extensively in industries ranging from food supplements and cosmetics to medicine. It has been discovered that beta-glucan from different sources such as yeast, mushrooms, and grains have slightly different structures and properties, allowing for more diverse applications.

• beta-1,3/1,4-glucan: This is the structure of beta-glucan found in grains such as oats and barley. It benefits the digestive system and blood sugar control, promotes a feeling of fullness, and helps with weight control.

• beta-1,3/1,6-glucan: This is the structure of beta-glucan found in mushrooms, yeast, and some algae. It helps with the immune system, stimulates immune cell activity, and helps the body fight pathogens better.

Reference

• Stier, H., Ebbeskotte, V., & Gruenwald, J. (2014). Immune-modulatory effects of dietary Yeast Beta-1,3/1,6-D-glucan. Nutrition Journal, 13, 38.

• Ho, H. V., Sievenpiper, J. L., Zurbau, A., et al. (2016). The effect of oat β-glucan on LDL-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol and apoB for CVD risk reduction: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials. British Journal of Nutrition, 116(8), 1369-1382.

• Kogan, G., Pajtinka, M., Babincova, M., Miadokova, E., Rauko, P., Slamenova, D., & Korolenko, T. A. (2008). Yeast cell wall polysaccharides as antioxidants and antimutagens: can they fight cancer? Neoplasma, 55(5), 387-393.

• Du, B., Lin, C., Bian, Z., & Xu, B. (2015). An insight into anti-inflammatory effects of fungal beta-glucans. Trends in Food Science & Technology, 41(1), 49-59.

• Talbott, S. M., & Talbott, J. A. (2012). Baker's yeast beta-glucan supplement reduces upper respiratory symptoms and improves mood state in stressed women. Journal of the American College of Nutrition, 31(4), 295-300.

• Jesenak, M., et al. (2016). β-Glucans in the treatment and prevention of allergic diseases. Allergology International, 65(2), 130-138.