Dr. Nuria Dianova, a gastroenterologist, confirmed that oat and barley fibers are beneficial for cardiovascular health.
She says: "Increasing fiber intake is a simple and accessible way to support health, unlike probiotics, supplements, or complex microbiome testing. This makes it particularly appealing to the consumer, as there is no need for specialist knowledge or expensive solutions. That is, more vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and legumes should be added to the diet."
According to her, different types of dietary fiber interact differently with the gut microbiome and produce different physiological effects.
She says, "This opens the door to so-called precision fibers—fibers carefully selected for specific purposes, whether to support metabolism, regulate mood, promote heart health, prevent diabetes, or even alleviate symptoms of menopause and irritable bowel syndrome. Beta-glucans, derived from oats and barley, stand out, having been formally recognized for their cardiovascular health benefits. This is an example of how certain types of fiber can acquire the status of functional components with proven effects."
According to her, special attention should be paid to prebiotic fibers - indigestible plant carbohydrates that create a fertile environment for the growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria.
She says: "Its fermentation produces short-chain fatty acids that support the immune system, regulate metabolic processes, and influence the signaling pathway along the gut-intestinal microbiome axis."
