Research Summary
Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

β-glucan bread shows little effect on glycemic control

Last updated July 18, 2026

Key finding

After 16 wk, there was no significant between-group difference in HbA1c [Δ = −0.01%, 95% CI: −0.03, 0.06; P = 0.49].

This study evaluated the effectiveness of β-glucan-enriched bread on glycemic control in adults at risk of type 2 diabetes, finding no significant differences in key outcomes.

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

EvidenceScore™

Moderate

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Short-Term (≤3 mo)

Risk of bias

Some Concerns

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Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study’s main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study evaluated the effectiveness of β-glucan-enriched bread on glycemic control in adults at risk of type 2 diabetes, finding no significant differences in key outcomes.

Clinical relevance

Understanding the effectiveness of dietary interventions like β-glucan-enriched bread is crucial for developing strategies to prevent type 2 diabetes. This study highlights the need for further research into dietary options that can effectively support glycemic control in at-risk populations.

Keep in mind

Limited sample size may affect generalizability. Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects. No significant differences observed could indicate ineffectiveness.

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Therese H, Alena S, Ingrid R, et al. Effectiveness of β-glucan–enriched bread on glycemic control in adults at risk of type 2 diabetes. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2025;122(3):724-732. doi:10.1016/j.ajcnut.2025.06.018

Main Effects

No significant change in HbA1c (Δ = −0.01%, P = 0.49)

No significant change in FPG (Δ = −0.02 mmol/L)

No significant change in insulin levels (Δ = −0.76 pmol/L)

No significant change in LDL cholesterol (Δ = −0.11 mmol/L)

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to β-glucan-enriched bread and Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG), HbA1c, Insulin, and 1 more.

Primary intervention

β-glucan-enriched bread

Primary outcomes

  • Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)
  • HbA1c
  • Insulin

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

4
Evidence pairs
4
Relationships
2
Evidence topics
contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68

2

Related topics

4

Evidence pairs

555

Related studies

High relevance in at least one topic

Why it is useful

  • Contributes to 4 evidence relationships
  • Includes primary outcome data
  • Linked to 2 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

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Primary evidence

Evidence topic

Glycemic Control

matched_outcome

Related evidence

Evidence topic

HbA1c Reduction

Save evidence

Core evidence

Study findings

The primary outcomes reported in this study.

Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

β-glucan-enriched bread → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

β-glucan-enriched bread → Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

HbA1c

β-glucan-enriched bread → HbA1c

β-glucan-enriched bread → HbA1c

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Insulin

β-glucan-enriched bread → Insulin

β-glucan-enriched bread → Insulin

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

LDL cholesterol

β-glucan-enriched bread → LDL cholesterol

β-glucan-enriched bread → LDL cholesterol

Evidence Intelligence™
EvidenceScore™
Emerging
Score 59 · Based on 1 study
ImpactScore™
50
Neutral
ConsistencyScore™
unclear
Not enough independent studies
Supporting studies: Based on 1 study
Add to Evidence Tracker

Evidence Library

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evidence suggest

Evidence Suggest

  • HbA1c showed no significant change (Δ = −0.01%, P = 0.49).
  • FPG levels did not differ significantly (Δ = −0.02 mmol/L).
  • Insulin and LDL cholesterol levels also showed no significant changes.
who this applies

Who this applies to

  • Adults at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • Individuals interested in dietary interventions for glycemic control.
keep in mind

Keep in Mind

  • Results may not apply to broader populations outside the study group.
  • Further research is needed to explore other dietary options.
  • The lack of significant findings suggests caution in recommending β-glucan-enriched bread for glycemic control.
between the lines

Between the Lines

  • Limited sample size may affect generalizability.
  • Short duration of the study may not capture long-term effects.
  • No significant differences observed could indicate ineffectiveness.

Evidence Library

Build your evidence library

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on β-glucan-enriched bread and Fasting Glucose, β-glucan-enriched bread and HbA1c.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Explorer

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Questions answered by this study

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does β-glucan-enriched bread improve fasting plasma glucose (fpg)?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of β-glucan-enriched bread for Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG).

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Fasting Plasma Glucose (FPG)

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does β-glucan-enriched bread improve HbA1c?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of β-glucan-enriched bread for HbA1c.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    HbA1c

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does β-glucan-enriched bread improve insulin?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of β-glucan-enriched bread for Insulin.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    Insulin

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026

Does β-glucan-enriched bread improve ldl cholesterol?

Emerging Evidence

Current evidence does not show a clear benefit of β-glucan-enriched bread for LDL cholesterol.

ConsistencyScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

  1. 1

    LDL cholesterol

    EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 59.0 | neutral | ConsistencyScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

  • Only one supporting study is available.
  • Consistency cannot yet be determined.
  • Population details are unavailable.
1 supporting studyUpdated: Jul 2026
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