A type of fiber that has similar weight loss benefits to Ozempic
Research on microbes living in the human digestive system is revolutionizing nutrition science
In recent years, dietary fiber has become the “new protein,” added to foods in abundance to nourish the gut microbiome and promote health.
According to Science Alert, citing the journal Nutrition, a 2024 study conducted on laboratory mice indicates that not all fiber supplements are equally beneficial.
A type of fiber called beta-glucan, found abundantly in oats and barley, can regulate blood sugar and aid weight loss in mice fed a high-fat diet.
Researchers at the University of Arizona and the University of Vienna discovered that beta-glucan reduced body fat and body weight in mice within 18 weeks
Other fibers they tested, including wheat dextrin, pectin, resistant starch, and cellulose, showed no significant effect, although the composition of the mice’s microbiome was significantly altered compared to mice not fed the fiber supplements.
biomedicine
“Fiber is important and beneficial, but the problem is that there are so many different types of fiber,” explained biomedical scientist Frank Duca of the University of Arizona. He added that the study aimed to “identify which types of fiber are most beneficial for weight loss and improving blood glucose balance, so we can educate society, consumers, and the agricultural sector.”
Dietary fiber is the main source of energy for the bacteria living in the intestines, and the recommended daily amount of fiber is estimated at 25-30 grams.
Beta glucan only
Biomedical scientist Elizabeth Howard of the University of Arizona and her colleagues wrote that only beta-glucan increased the number of E. coli bacteria in the guts of mice. Other studies in mice have linked these bacteria to weight loss
She noted that before 10 weeks, mice fed beta-glucan showed lower body weight and body fat percentage compared to mice fed other forms of fiber.
The researchers noted that more research is needed before these findings can be applied to humans, but the results suggest that some fibers may be more suitable for weight loss and insulin control than others
