The health benefits of taking beta glucan regularly can include an improved immune response, blood pressure and diabetes management, weight control, and help with blood pressure management. Beta glucan is a type of soluble fiber that is found naturally in a variety of food sources, like oats, barley, and rye. 

Sur offers Nutrim, an oat beta glucan supplement. Nutrim can be used for cholesterol management, digestive health, and more. In this post, we'll explore the key benefits of Nutrim and beta glucans, as well as how fiber supplements work.

Improved Immune Response

One of the key benefits of beta glucan is that it can act as an immune system activator and cell response modifier. Studies have found that beta glucan may help activate the body’s immune cells and protect against potential infections.

In terms of immune system activation, studies also indicate that beta glucan may increase the activity of immune cells like monocytes, macrophages, and more. Monocytes are responsible for the way your body fights infection and promotes inflammation, which is a necessary response to tissue damage or infection. 

Macrophages are immune cells whose primary function is to destroy foreign substances like bacteria, viruses, and dead cells. These functions allow these cells to act as the body’s first line of defense against infections. 

Impacts on Bone Health

Beta glucan has shown anti-osteoporotic activities in multiple studies and clinical trials. Evidence suggests that beta glucans can prevent bone resorption–the process in which old or damaged bone tissue is broken down and removed. 

This same study demonstrated that beta glucans are effective in promoting bone regeneration and formation, and may even be an effective therapeutic agent against future bone diseases. Another study suggests that beta glucans can mobilize certain cells from bone marrow to enhance bone recovery in the event of a bone marrow injury.

Blood Pressure Management

Research suggests beta glucan can reduce hypertension, which is high blood pressure. One study found that when men and women consumed more food containing oat beta glucan experienced more positive effects on their blood pressure and metabolism. These foods most benefited individuals already struggling with their carbohydrate metabolism, blood pressure, and obesity.

Weight Control and Diabetes Management

Beta glucan may also be a helpful tool in improving blood sugar management. A review of four different studies found that taking 2.5 to 3.5 grams of beta glucan daily for three to eight weeks could reduce fasting blood sugar levels and improve long-term blood sugar regulation in people with type 2 diabetes.

Other studies provided evidence that suggests adding beta glucan to carbs in meals could reduce blood sugar and insulin levels after eating. An additional review revealed that consuming more beta glucan could be associated with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Nutrim Oat Beta Glucan

With so many studies finding a variety of benefits to beta glucan, how can you easily integrate it into your diet? Nutrim is an optimized oat bran powder that’s packed with beta glucans. 

One of the Nutrim usage challenges is knowing how to use it every day to reap the benefits of beta glucan. There are four ways you can incorporate Nutrim into your diet:

1. Mix it into water (don’t worry, Nutrim doesn’t alter flavor!).

2. Mix it into smoothies, juice, or your coffee as a dairy alternative.

3. Enhance your baked goods’ texture with Nutrim as a fat substitute, because Nutrim offers the same fat-like properties without the same fat content.

4. Sprinkle it into your favorite soups or mix it into your dishes as you cook.

We recommend you start with one scoop of Nutrim per day as your body gets used to absorbing and processing this much fiber. You can gradually increase the amount to two scoops per day!