Argumentos a favor de la incorporación de los β-D-glucanos a la alimentación

β-D-glucan belongs to a group of glucose polymers whose monomers are linked by β-glycosidic bonds, which give the glucan its structural function. The best-known example of glucan is cellulose. The main dietary sources of β-glucans are vegetables, cereal fibers, mushroom and fungi such as yeast. β-glucans have important effects on health, both in animals and humans. These polysaccharides improve cardiovascular health by decreasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and glycemic response. They also exert potent immunomodulatory effects through radioprotective, myeloproliferative, antiinflammatory and antitumoral properties and promote an increased antiinfective state of the innate immune system. Among all the known glucans, the soluble form of (1→3), 0(1→6)-β-D-glucan from Saccharomyces cerevisiae (beer yeast) has been shown to have the greatest immunomodulatory effects, enhancing anti-tumour and anti-infection functions. Oral administration of β-D-glucan is well tolerated, does not impair the palatability of food, and has no toxic effects. Their molecular weight, degree of branching, and nature of the branches are believed to determine their bioactive and functional effects. In view of the healthy effects of glucans, intake of foods rich in these substances can be recommended. Such foods include vegetables, soluble cereal fiber and especially beer yeast, which contains the glucans with the greatest number of beneficial properties reported.