1.Rich in beta-glucan (a natural soluble fiber) which exhibit lots of health benefit such as:
a. Help in lowering bad cholesterol
Study shows that oat beta-glucan can successfully reduce our body low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol while having no significant impact on high-density lipoprotein (HDL). It is believed that beta-glucan achieve this effect by forming a viscous layer on small intestine, the viscous layer then act as a barriers which reduce the absorption of cholesterol as well as the reabsorption of bile acid. Normally, bile acid is synthesized from cholesterol by the liver which secrete to intestine and aid in lipid adsorption. Hence, by reducing the uptake of cholesterols it prevents the level of cholesterols in the body to increase and by reducing the re-adsorption of bile acid, it helps reduce the level of cholesterols in body because more cholesterol in the body will be required by the liver to produce bile acid.
b. Reduce risk of type 2 diabetes by improve insulin response and reduce blood sugar
It is reported that soluble oat beta-glucan is able to delay the absorption of carbohydrate in the intestine by forming a viscous layer and hence aid in modify responses of postprandial blood glucose by lowering blood sugar level.
Furthermore, studies also demonstrated that subjects treated with grain extract or other supplements which consist of beta-glucan shown significant improvement on body sensitivity to insulin. Thus together, oat beta-glucan is believed to have an effect on reducing the risk of type 2 diabetes which is caused by defect in insulin action and results of elevated blood sugar.
c. Decrease risk of obesity by increase feeling of fullness
Oat beta-glucan is found having dose-response relationship with plasma level of peptide-YY (PYY) and Cholecystokinin (CCK). PYY and CCK are both anorexigenic hormone that discovers having role in affecting energy intake which is one of the major factor that causes obesity.
What is PYY and CCK?PYY is a hormone that secrete when food enters gut by L-cell which located primarily at distal GI tract. PYY will interact with neuropeptide Y (NPY) receptor and inhibit gut motility. This causing sense of satiety (fullness) and thereby reduce energy intake.
On another hand, CCK is secreted when in response to fat and protein from food by I-cell which located primarily at the duodenum. Similar to PYY, CCK will increase sense of fulling and decrease hunger feelings.
On another hand, CCK is secreted when in response to fat and protein from food by I-cell which located primarily at the duodenum. Similar to PYY, CCK will increase sense of fulling and decrease hunger feelings.
What are the impact of beta-glucan on PYY level and how this link to obesity?The impact of beta-glucan on PYY level is observed by a study which notices a significant difference in participants’ plasma level of PYY at 2 to 4 hours after meal between high dose beta-glucan group and control group, with high dose beta-glucan group having higher PYY level.
Then another study taking mice as subject observed mice with low PYY level experience hyperphagia (sense of hunger) and more likely to become obese. This proven the relationship between PYY and obesity.
Then another study taking mice as subject observed mice with low PYY level experience hyperphagia (sense of hunger) and more likely to become obese. This proven the relationship between PYY and obesity.
What are the impact of beta-glucan on CCK level and how this link to obesity?A study on 2009 demonstrates that level of CCK increases linearly with beta-glucan concentration, where within the range of 2.16g to 5.68g of beta-glucan, the level of CCK increases linearly as the dose of beta-glucan increase. Nonetheless, there are also studies that show the relationship between CCK and obesity, one of the study found that participants with CCK infusion less likely to feel hunger and have reduced in food intake.
Final Word
In general, consuming oat beta-glucan will increase plasma level of PYY and CCK which in turn will increase sense of satiety and reduce hunger. This can aid in reduce energy intake and thus avoid excess calories intake and therefore reduce risk of obesity.
2. Liver-protecting effect by reducing fat accumulation in the liver
The ability for oat beta-glucan to reduce LDL and total cholesterols level by reducing the absorption of cholesterols from the meal and increase body usage of cholesterols make it having protection effect on the liver. Apart from lowering cholesterols level, study also found oat having protective effect on liver by inhibiting express of fatty acid synthase enzyme and reduce triacylglycerol synthesis. Together this reduces the accumulation of fat in the liver hence promote liver health and prevent hepatic steatosis (fatty liver).
