Beta‐glucans from oats and/or barley in a ready‐to‐eat cereal manufactured via pressure cooking and reduction of blood‐glucose rise after consumption: evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

ABSTRACT Background The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved a qualified health claim for tree nuts and reduction of cardiovascular disease. However, cashews are excluded from that claim due to their content of saturated fats, which is predominantly stearic acid. Because stearic acid is neutral with respect to blood lipids, several studies have been conducted to test the effect of cashew nuts on blood lipids, and these studies have produced conflicting results. Objectives The aim of this study was to conduct a highly controlled intervention to determine the effect of cashews fed at the amount specified in the health claim on risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Methods A total of 42 adults participated in a controlled-feeding study conducted as a randomized crossover trial with 2 treatment phases. The volunteers were provided the same base diet in both treatment phases, with no additions during the control phase and with the addition of 1.5 servings (42 g) of cashews/d for the cashew nut phase. During the cashew nut phase, the amount of all foods was decreased proportionally to achieve isocaloric overall diets in the 2 phases. After 4 wk of intervention, assessments included blood lipids, blood pressure, central (aortic) pressure, augmentation index, blood glucose, endothelin, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), adhesion molecules, and clotting and inflammatory factors. Results There were no significant differences in blood lipids, blood pressure, augmentation index, blood glucose, endothelin, adhesion molecules, or clotting factors in this weight-stable cohort. PCSK9 was significantly decreased after cashew consumption, although there was no change in LDL cholesterol. Conclusions Consumption of 1.5 servings of cashew nuts/d, the amount associated with the FDA qualified health claim for tree nuts and cardiovascular disease, did not positively or adversely affect any of the primary risk factors for cardiovascular disease. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT02628171.

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Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to barley beta-glucans and lowering of blood cholesterol and reduced risk of (coronary) heart disease pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

EFSA Journal ◽

10.2903/j.efsa.2011.2470 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 9 (12) ◽

pp. 2470 ◽

Cited By ~ 27

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Coronary Heart Disease ◽

Heart Disease ◽

Blood Cholesterol ◽

Health Claim ◽

Beta Glucans ◽

Scientific Opinion ◽

Reduced Risk

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Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to FRUIT UP® and a reduction of post‐prandial blood glucose responses pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006

EFSA Journal ◽

10.2903/j.efsa.2015.4098 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 13 (5) ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Keyword(s):

Blood Glucose ◽

Health Claim ◽

Scientific Opinion

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Beneficial effects of the AFO-202 and N-163 strains of Aureobasidium pullulans produced 1,3-1,6 beta glucans on non-esterified fatty acid levels in obese diabetic KKAy mice: A comparative study

10.1101/2021.07.22.453362 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Nobunao Ikewaki ◽

Takashi Onaka ◽

Yasunori Ikeue ◽

Mitsuru Nagataki ◽

Gene Kurosawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Glucose ◽

Aureobasidium Pullulans ◽

Hdl Cholesterol ◽

Lifestyle Changes ◽

Diabetic Mice ◽

Mice Model ◽

Beta Glucan ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Group 4 ◽

Beta Glucans

Background: Obesity, metabolic syndrome, associated lipotoxicity and its cascade of events contribute to the majority of the burden related to non-communicable diseases globally. Preventive lifestyle changes aside, several beneficial effects have been reported in type II diabetes mellitus and dyslipidaemia patients with biological response modifier glucans (BRMG) produced as an exopolysaccharide by Aureobasidium pullulans. In this study, we compared two strains (AFO 202 and N 163) that produce beta glucans to differentiate their efficacy in alleviating lipotoxicity. Methods: This study was performed in obese diabetic mice model of KK Ay mice, in four groups with six subjects in each group, Group 1: sacrificed on Day 0 for baseline values; Group 2: control (drinking water); Group 3: AFO-202 beta glucan 200 mg/kg/day; Group 4: N 163 beta glucan, 300 mg/kg/day. The animals in groups 2 to 4 had the test solutions forcibly administered orally into the stomach using a gastric tube once daily for 28 consecutive days. Biochemical analyses were conducted of blood glucose, triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA). Results: Group 4 (N 163) had the lowest NEFA levels, as compared to the other groups, and marginally decreased triglyceride levels. The groups had no significant differences in blood glucose, HbA1c, triglycerides, or LDL and HDL cholesterol. Conclusion: N 163 produced by A. pullulans decreased NEFA in a diabetic mice model in 28 days. These results, although modest, warrant further in depth research into lipotoxicity and associated inflammatory cascades in both healthy and disease affected subjects to develop novel strategies for prevention and management.

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