An authorised European health claim and its conditions of use

Where it participates (unsigned role)

1. Most of the 16 human intervention studies considered pertinent for the scientific substantiation of the claim showed that oat beta-glucans reduce postprandial blood glucose peaks when consumed as part of foods or meals rich in available carbohydrates, the Panel also took into account that oat beta-glucans did not increase postprandial glycaemic or insulinaemic responses and that the mechanism by which consumption could exert the claimed effect is well established, and the Panel concludes that a cause-and-effect relationship has been established, with foods or meals required to contain at least 30 grams of available carbohydrates per portion and at least 3 grams of beta-glucans from oats for each 30 grams of available carbohydrates in order to bear the claim.

   Oat mixed-linkage beta-(1->3)/(1->4)-glucan → Postprandial glucose incremental peak rise source_derived_draftungraded
   Experimental context and source evidence

   evidence_span

   {"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/41726114.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "22ad4a8c479116e3d7130ddcda6f561239dc9b2048d52e29279e48bac6799a3e", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1617, "text_sha256": "22ad4a8c479116e3d7130ddcda6f561239dc9b2048d52e29279e48bac6799a3e"}

   experimental_model

   European Food Safety Authority assessment of 16 human intervention studies for a new health claim

   exposure

   Oat beta-glucans consumed as part of foods or meals rich in available carbohydrates

   limitations

   A regulatory opinion that weighs an evidence base and sets conditions of use. Authorisation is a separate legal step, and the claim applies only under the stated conditions.

   nutrient_topic

   Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. · Beta-glucan

   organism

   Human

   plain_language

   A regulator accepted the effect on the glucose peak, and attached an exact amount and an exact kind of meal to it.

   primary_references

   [bg-p41726114] Oat beta-glucans and reduction of postprandial glucose peak: Evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. (2026). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41726114/ DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2026.9942

   tissue_or_cell_type

   Postprandial circulation

   Beta-glucan: a structural family rather than an agent, what decides whether a bound glucan actually signals, the complement route that a cereal and a yeast preparation share, and the unequal human evidence behind each (2026-09-22) · lines 606–617

   AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · European Food Safety Authority assessment of 16 human intervention studies for a new health claim · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

   ### bg-a-claim-with-conditions Most of the 16 human intervention studies considered pertinent for the scientific substantiation of the claim showed that oat beta-glucans reduce postprandial blood glucose peaks when consumed as part of foods or meals rich in available carbohydrates, the Panel also took into account that oat beta-glucans did not increase postprandial glycaemic or insulinaemic responses and that the mechanism by which consumption could exert the claimed effect is well established, and the Panel concludes that a cause-and-effect relationship has been established, with foods or meals required to contain at least 30 grams of available carbohydrates per portion and at least 3 grams of beta-glucans from oats for each 30 grams of available carbohydrates in order to bear the claim. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. plain_language: A regulator accepted the effect on the glucose peak, and attached an exact amount and an exact kind of meal to it. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Postprandial circulation experimental_model: European Food Safety Authority assessment of 16 human intervention studies for a new health claim limitations: A regulatory opinion that weighs an evidence base and sets conditions of use. Authorisation is a separate legal step, and the claim applies only under the stated conditions. exposure: Oat beta-glucans consumed as part of foods or meals rich in available carbohydrates evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/41726114.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "22ad4a8c479116e3d7130ddcda6f561239dc9b2048d52e29279e48bac6799a3e", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1617, "text_sha256": "22ad4a8c479116e3d7130ddcda6f561239dc9b2048d52e29279e48bac6799a3e"} [bg-p41726114] Oat beta-glucans and reduction of postprandial glucose peak: Evaluation of a health claim pursuant to Article 13(5) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. (2026). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41726114/ DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2026.9942

   Complete structured claim and evidence

2. The applicant identified a total of 22 references which included three meta-analyses and 19 randomised controlled trials as being pertinent to the health claim, in weighing the evidence the Panel took into account that most of the trials investigating the effects of oat beta-glucan at doses of at least 3 grams per day have shown a statistically significant decrease in LDL-cholesterol concentrations and that there was strong evidence supporting the biological plausibility of the effect, and the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of oat beta-glucan and lowering of blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations, considering that in order to bear the claim foods should provide at least 3 grams of oat beta-glucan per day.

   Oat mixed-linkage beta-(1->3)/(1->4)-glucan → LDL cholesterol concentration source_derived_draftungraded
   Experimental context and source evidence

   evidence_span

   {"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/42004118.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "dcfcf120be06e5235e076afd33caa325371eea0a3c56b74b023ea34589e19717", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1690, "text_sha256": "dcfcf120be06e5235e076afd33caa325371eea0a3c56b74b023ea34589e19717"}

   experimental_model

   European Food Safety Authority assessment of three meta-analyses and 19 randomised controlled trials

   exposure

   Oat beta-glucan at doses of at least 3 grams per day

   limitations

   A regulatory opinion on a disease-risk-reduction claim. It concerns lowering of LDL cholesterol; the cardiovascular part of the wording is an inference from the lipid change and not a measured event rate in these trials.

   nutrient_topic

   Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. · Beta-glucan

   organism

   Human

   plain_language

   The cholesterol claim cleared the same regulator, at three grams a day.

   primary_references

   [bg-p42004118] Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to oat beta glucan and lowering blood cholesterol and reduced risk of (coronary) heart disease pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42004118/ DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1885

   tissue_or_cell_type

   Serum LDL cholesterol

   Beta-glucan: a structural family rather than an agent, what decides whether a bound glucan actually signals, the complement route that a cereal and a yeast preparation share, and the unequal human evidence behind each (2026-09-22) · lines 632–643

   AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · European Food Safety Authority assessment of three meta-analyses and 19 randomised controlled trials · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

   ### bg-the-cholesterol-claim-was-accepted The applicant identified a total of 22 references which included three meta-analyses and 19 randomised controlled trials as being pertinent to the health claim, in weighing the evidence the Panel took into account that most of the trials investigating the effects of oat beta-glucan at doses of at least 3 grams per day have shown a statistically significant decrease in LDL-cholesterol concentrations and that there was strong evidence supporting the biological plausibility of the effect, and the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of oat beta-glucan and lowering of blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations, considering that in order to bear the claim foods should provide at least 3 grams of oat beta-glucan per day. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. plain_language: The cholesterol claim cleared the same regulator, at three grams a day. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Serum LDL cholesterol experimental_model: European Food Safety Authority assessment of three meta-analyses and 19 randomised controlled trials limitations: A regulatory opinion on a disease-risk-reduction claim. It concerns lowering of LDL cholesterol; the cardiovascular part of the wording is an inference from the lipid change and not a measured event rate in these trials. exposure: Oat beta-glucan at doses of at least 3 grams per day evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/42004118.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "dcfcf120be06e5235e076afd33caa325371eea0a3c56b74b023ea34589e19717", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1690, "text_sha256": "dcfcf120be06e5235e076afd33caa325371eea0a3c56b74b023ea34589e19717"} [bg-p42004118] Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of a health claim related to oat beta glucan and lowering blood cholesterol and reduced risk of (coronary) heart disease pursuant to Article 14 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. (2010). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42004118/ DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2010.1885

   Complete structured claim and evidence

3. The applicant proposed a reduction of the lowest effective dose from 4 grams to 2 grams of beta-glucans per 30 grams of available carbohydrates and submitted 21 pertinent published human intervention studies with 59 trial comparisons plus four published systematic reviews and dose-response meta-regression analyses, and in weighing the evidence the Panel considered that the human intervention studies did not consistently show a significant effect of beta-glucans from oats or barley on postprandial glucose incremental area under the curve at doses between 2 and less than 4 grams per 30 grams of available carbohydrates, concluding that a consistent effect has not been demonstrated under the conditions of use proposed.

   Oat mixed-linkage beta-(1->3)/(1->4)-glucan → Postprandial glucose incremental area under the curve source_derived_draftungraded
   Experimental context and source evidence

   evidence_span

   {"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/40980638.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "ed76af02ac95b48fc5e1dd7e51a6ba51f54b5ba01a7daa7a01ce57bdd9d68bad", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1864, "text_sha256": "ed76af02ac95b48fc5e1dd7e51a6ba51f54b5ba01a7daa7a01ce57bdd9d68bad"}

   experimental_model

   European Food Safety Authority assessment of a proposal to halve the dose condition on an existing claim

   exposure

   Beta-glucans from oat or barley at doses between 2 and less than 4 grams per 30 grams of available carbohydrates

   limitations

   An assessment of a proposed change to a condition of use, based on 21 studies with 59 trial comparisons plus four published dose-response analyses. A negative conclusion about a proposed lower dose is not a finding that lower doses never act.

   nutrient_topic

   Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. · Beta-glucan

   organism

   Human

   plain_language

   Asked to halve the amount required, the regulator looked at the trials and said the evidence did not hold at that dose.

   primary_references

   [bg-p40980638] Beta-glucans from oats or barley and reduction of postprandial glycaemic responses: Modification of an authorised health claim pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 following a request in accordance with Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. (2025). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40980638/ DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9630

   tissue_or_cell_type

   Postprandial circulation

   Beta-glucan: a structural family rather than an agent, what decides whether a bound glucan actually signals, the complement route that a cereal and a yeast preparation share, and the unequal human evidence behind each (2026-09-22) · lines 619–630

   AI-assisted literature curation; primary study URLs and scope retained in the document and extraction. Not publisher full text. · supports · European Food Safety Authority assessment of a proposal to halve the dose condition on an existing claim · source_derived_draft · unverified_draft

   ### bg-the-lower-dose-was-refused The applicant proposed a reduction of the lowest effective dose from 4 grams to 2 grams of beta-glucans per 30 grams of available carbohydrates and submitted 21 pertinent published human intervention studies with 59 trial comparisons plus four published systematic reviews and dose-response meta-regression analyses, and in weighing the evidence the Panel considered that the human intervention studies did not consistently show a significant effect of beta-glucans from oats or barley on postprandial glucose incremental area under the curve at doses between 2 and less than 4 grams per 30 grams of available carbohydrates, concluding that a consistent effect has not been demonstrated under the conditions of use proposed. Condition category: normal nutrient_topic: Beta-glucan research collection; topical membership is not evidence of a direct clinical effect, and each preparation is recorded as its own entity with no family link joining any pair. plain_language: Asked to halve the amount required, the regulator looked at the trials and said the evidence did not hold at that dose. organism: Human tissue_or_cell_type: Postprandial circulation experimental_model: European Food Safety Authority assessment of a proposal to halve the dose condition on an existing claim limitations: An assessment of a proposed change to a condition of use, based on 21 studies with 59 trial comparisons plus four published dose-response analyses. A negative conclusion about a proposed lower dose is not a finding that lower doses never act. exposure: Beta-glucans from oat or barley at doses between 2 and less than 4 grams per 30 grams of available carbohydrates evidence_span: {"source_cache": "artifacts/glucan-research/40980638.abstract.txt", "locator": "Indexed abstract; zero-based, end-exclusive Unicode character offsets", "file_sha256": "ed76af02ac95b48fc5e1dd7e51a6ba51f54b5ba01a7daa7a01ce57bdd9d68bad", "start_char": 0, "end_char": 1864, "text_sha256": "ed76af02ac95b48fc5e1dd7e51a6ba51f54b5ba01a7daa7a01ce57bdd9d68bad"} [bg-p40980638] Beta-glucans from oats or barley and reduction of postprandial glycaemic responses: Modification of an authorised health claim pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 following a request in accordance with Article 19 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. (2025). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40980638/ DOI: 10.2903/j.efsa.2025.9630

   Complete structured claim and evidence