Cereal beta-glucans: use in foods to improve functionality and health.
The EU beta-glucan project is discussed together with the important diet related health issues, coronary heart disease and diabetes. Aspects considered include: effects of life-style and diet on the development of disease; the ability of cereal beta-glucans to lower plasma lipid levels and improve glucose tolerence; characteristics of beta-glucans; beta-glucans preparation and characterization; de