However, multiple reports established additional effects
of glucans. Nearly 50 years ago the possible effects of
dietary fiber were first suggested by Keys5
and these effects
were later found to be associated with glucans6
. The cholesterol-lowering
effects of fibers are routinely associated
with beta-glucans. Due to the high consumption of oats
or oat bran, most of the attention has been focused on
the relationship of oat-derived glucan to cholesterol levels.
These glucans were shown to reduce serum cholesterol in
both hypercholesterolemic animals7–9 and humans10, however
there are some studies that found no such effects11