What Is the Connection Between Beta Glucans and Cancer?

Barley -glucan is the main component of the endosperm cell wall of barley grains, accounting for about 75% of the dry weight of the cell wall ^[1] . The barley -glucan chemical name is: (l-3) (l-4) --D-glucan, which is a class of non-starch polysaccharides, which is divided into two categories: water-soluble and water-insoluble. -glucopyranose is its basic structural unit, which is similar to cellulose, except that it is connected by - (1 3) and (1 4) glycosidic bonds. Many - (1 4) bonds are connected to form a lot of cellotriose and cellotetrasaccharide groups, which are connected to each other through separate - (1 3) bonds to form a multimer ^[2] .

-glucan is soluble in water due to the existence of - (1 3) bonds in the molecular structure, which is different from cellulose that is connected only by - (1 4) bonds. However, there is a small amount of continuous - (1 4) bond-linked glucose in part of the -glucan molecular structure, which makes it difficult to dissolve in water. In addition, -glucan is also soluble in acids and dilute alkalis, and its solubility is affected by the size of wheat kernels, -glucanase activity, temperature, pH, and ionic strength of the medium ^[1]

As early as the end of the 1980s, American scientists discovered that -glucan in barley, especially naked barley (Barley), has a role in lowering blood lipids, cholesterol and preventing cardiovascular diseases. The effects of improving immunity and antitumor have been discovered one after another, which has aroused widespread concern around the world. At present, the biomedical community generally believes that -glucan has four major physiological effects such as bowel cleansing, lowering cholesterol, regulating blood sugar, and improving immunity. ^[3]

Most of barley are grown in remote mountainous areas and pastoral areas. Pesticides are generally not applied during the growing season, and the occurrence of pests and diseases is relatively small. Therefore, barley is a truly green and pollution-free food in the plateau. China's barley yield is high, and it conforms to the diet structure of "three high and two low" (high protein, high fiber, high vitamin and low fat, low sugar). Barley beta-glucan is the main component of the endosperm cell wall of barley grains. The content of Tibetan barley beta-glucan can reach up to 8.62%. In addition to reducing blood sugar, barley beta-glucan can also increase gastric motility and prevent Plateau disease and other unique health effects ^[1] .