Research

Hormonal

Dietary intake of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs), particularly soluble types like mixed-link β-glucans, lowers plasma cholesterol and normalizes blood glucose and insulin levels, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and Type 2 diabetes.

To support heart health and blood sugar control, prioritize foods rich in soluble fiber, such as oats, barley, and beans. These foods help lower cholesterol and stabilize blood glucose. You do not need to measure exact doses; simply incorporating these foods into your regular diet is the recommended approach.

ModerateSupportsMEDIUM confidence
soluble NSPs (especially mixed-link β-glucans) lower plasma cholesterol levels and help to normalize blood glucose and insulin levels, making these kinds of polysaccharides a part of dietary plans to treat cardiovascular diseases and Type 2 diabetes.
Vikas Kumar et al. · Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition · 2012

Why this rating

This is a review paper summarizing various studies; it cites specific effects but does not present new primary clinical trial data itself.

Source

Dietary Roles of Non-Starch Polysachharides in Human Nutrition: A Review

Vikas Kumar et al. · Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition · 2012

DOI 10.1080/10408398.2010.512671

narrative_reviewCited 304×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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