EFSA OKs Oat Beta-Glucan Health Claim

PARMA, ItalyA scientific panel of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) published a positive opinion on a disease risk reduction health claim for oat beta-glucan.  

According to the panel, foods providing 3g of oat beta-glucan per day can bear the health claim: Oat beta-glucan has been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol. Blood cholesterol lowering may reduce the risk of heart disease." The health claim is pending approval by the EU Commission.

The scientific panel issued its opinion following an application from CreaNutrition AG regarding its OatWell® oat bran ingredients.

 The EFSA statement is as follows: The evidence presented indicates that the cholesterol-lowering effect of oat beta-glucan may depend on the increased viscosity in the small intestine that reduces the reabsorption of bile acids, increases the synthesis of bile acids from cholesterol, and reduces circulating (LDL) cholesterol concentrations. Viscosity in the small intestine is determined by the concentration, molecular weight (MW) and solubility of oat beta-glucan."(EFSA Journal, 2010; 8(12):1885).

This EFSA statement concerning the naturally occurring oat beta-glucan found in oat bran is the first positive cereal-based, disease-risk reduction opinion.

Click here to read the complete summary and opinion.