A critical review on the impacts of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health
This review compiles current evidence on the effects of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health, focusing on their structural properties, sources, and roles as a dietary fiber. Primarily sourced from cereals, fungi, and yeast, β-glucans are well-known for their prebiotic effects, fostering the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2025-06-01
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| Series: | The Microbe |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950194625001621 |
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| author | Great Iruoghene Edo Alice Njolke Mafe Ali B.M. Ali Patrick Othuke Akpoghelie Emad Yousif Endurance Fegor Isoje Ufuoma Augustina Igbuku Khalid Zainulabdeen Joseph Oghenewogaga Owheruo Arthur Efeoghene Athan Essaghah Huzaifa Umar Dina S. Ahmed Ahmed A. Alamiery |
| author_facet | Great Iruoghene Edo Alice Njolke Mafe Ali B.M. Ali Patrick Othuke Akpoghelie Emad Yousif Endurance Fegor Isoje Ufuoma Augustina Igbuku Khalid Zainulabdeen Joseph Oghenewogaga Owheruo Arthur Efeoghene Athan Essaghah Huzaifa Umar Dina S. Ahmed Ahmed A. Alamiery |
| author_sort | Great Iruoghene Edo |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This review compiles current evidence on the effects of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health, focusing on their structural properties, sources, and roles as a dietary fiber. Primarily sourced from cereals, fungi, and yeast, β-glucans are well-known for their prebiotic effects, fostering the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and supporting gut health. The review further explores their immunomodulatory properties, impact on metabolic health, and potential in managing gastrointestinal disorders. Mechanistic insights highlight how β-glucans interact with the gut-immune axis, affecting systemic inflammation and metabolic pathways. A comparative analysis emphasizes their distinct advantages over other dietary fibers, while clinical applications underscore their safe incorporation into various diets. Research gaps are discussed, emphasizing the need for long-term studies, improved characterization of β-glucans, and research involving diverse populations. The review also addresses the ongoing classification debate between cereal and fungal β-glucans and its implications for future studies. Emerging research trends such as personalized nutrition, nanoencapsulation, and combination therapies are identified as promising directions. This review is timely, given the increasing interest in β-glucans within clinical and dietary settings, as they hold significant potential for enhancing gut health and reducing chronic disease risk. Future research should aim to clarify mechanisms, establish standardization, and bridge existing gaps to unlock novel therapeutic possibilities. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1287ae593f1f48dd8e9602ae2c822fb5 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2950-1946 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | The Microbe |
| spelling | doaj-art-1287ae593f1f48dd8e9602ae2c822fb52025-08-20T02:17:06ZengElsevierThe Microbe2950-19462025-06-01710039410.1016/j.microb.2025.100394A critical review on the impacts of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human healthGreat Iruoghene Edo0Alice Njolke Mafe1Ali B.M. Ali2Patrick Othuke Akpoghelie3Emad Yousif4Endurance Fegor Isoje5Ufuoma Augustina Igbuku6Khalid Zainulabdeen7Joseph Oghenewogaga Owheruo8Arthur Efeoghene Athan Essaghah9Huzaifa Umar10Dina S. Ahmed11Ahmed A. Alamiery12Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Nigeria; Department of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq; Corresponding author at: Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Nigeria.Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Taraba State University, Jalingo, Taraba State, NigeriaDepartment of Air Conditioning Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Warith Al-Anbiyaa University, Karbala, IraqDepartment of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Delta State, NigeriaDepartment of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, IraqDepartment of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, Delta State University of Science and Technology,Ozoro, NigeriaDepartment of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, NigeriaDepartment of Chemistry, College of Sciences, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, IraqDepartment of Food Science and Technology, Faculty of Science, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, Delta State, NigeriaDepartment of Urban and Regional Planning, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Delta State University of Science and Technology, Ozoro, NigeriaOperational Research Centre in Healthcare, Near East University, Nicosia, CyprusDepartment of Chemical Industries, Institute of Technology-Baghdad, Middle Technical University, Baghdad, IraqAl-Ayen Scientific Research Center, Al-Ayen Iraqi University, AUIQ, An Nasiriyah, Thi Qar 64004, IraqThis review compiles current evidence on the effects of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health, focusing on their structural properties, sources, and roles as a dietary fiber. Primarily sourced from cereals, fungi, and yeast, β-glucans are well-known for their prebiotic effects, fostering the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and supporting gut health. The review further explores their immunomodulatory properties, impact on metabolic health, and potential in managing gastrointestinal disorders. Mechanistic insights highlight how β-glucans interact with the gut-immune axis, affecting systemic inflammation and metabolic pathways. A comparative analysis emphasizes their distinct advantages over other dietary fibers, while clinical applications underscore their safe incorporation into various diets. Research gaps are discussed, emphasizing the need for long-term studies, improved characterization of β-glucans, and research involving diverse populations. The review also addresses the ongoing classification debate between cereal and fungal β-glucans and its implications for future studies. Emerging research trends such as personalized nutrition, nanoencapsulation, and combination therapies are identified as promising directions. This review is timely, given the increasing interest in β-glucans within clinical and dietary settings, as they hold significant potential for enhancing gut health and reducing chronic disease risk. Future research should aim to clarify mechanisms, establish standardization, and bridge existing gaps to unlock novel therapeutic possibilities.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950194625001621β-GlucansGut MicrobiotaHuman HealthPrebiotics and Immunomodulation |
| spellingShingle | Great Iruoghene Edo Alice Njolke Mafe Ali B.M. Ali Patrick Othuke Akpoghelie Emad Yousif Endurance Fegor Isoje Ufuoma Augustina Igbuku Khalid Zainulabdeen Joseph Oghenewogaga Owheruo Arthur Efeoghene Athan Essaghah Huzaifa Umar Dina S. Ahmed Ahmed A. Alamiery A critical review on the impacts of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health The Microbe β-Glucans Gut Microbiota Human Health Prebiotics and Immunomodulation |
| title | A critical review on the impacts of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health |
| title_full | A critical review on the impacts of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health |
| title_fullStr | A critical review on the impacts of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health |
| title_full_unstemmed | A critical review on the impacts of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health |
| title_short | A critical review on the impacts of β-glucans on gut microbiota and human health |
| title_sort | critical review on the impacts of β glucans on gut microbiota and human health |
| topic | β-Glucans Gut Microbiota Human Health Prebiotics and Immunomodulation |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2950194625001621 |
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