A recent study published in the scientific journal "Nutrients" showed that oats may help reduce liver damage in people with type 2 diabetes.
During their research, scientists studied the effect of beta-glucan, a type of soluble dietary fiber abundant in oats and their bran, and tested the effect of this fiber on laboratory mice with type 2 diabetes, as the animals were given varying doses daily for ten weeks.
The results showed that adding beta-glucan to the mice's diet improved their blood sugar levels, improved glucose tolerance, and reduced liver cell damage. The experimental animals also experienced a decrease in harmful triglyceride levels, some liver enzymes, and substances that cause inflammation in the body, including interleukin-6, a protein produced by body cells during infection and inflammation.
Researchers attribute this effect to changes in the composition of gut bacteria in laboratory mice. After consuming beta-glucan, the number of beneficial bacteria that support the intestinal barrier in the animals increased, and the number of microorganisms associated with inflammation decreased.
A scientific study also showed that barley varieties rich in beta-glucans particularly stimulate the production of butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that helps support gut health, reduce inflammation, and is a source of energy for intestinal wall cells. Another study by researchers from the University of Barcelona showed that a diet rich in fermentable fiber and polyphenols may support gut microbiome health and enhance immune response.
