This is a fancy term for a type of soluble fiber. It consists of sugar molecules (polysaccharides) naturally housed in the cell walls of bacteria, fungi, yeasts, algae, lichens and plants. Oats are high in beta glucan-containing fiber, and you will also find high counts of it in wheat, wholegrains, seaweed, algae and shiitake mushrooms. Beta-glucans are praised for their string of health benefits, from gut support to immunity. It’s why beta-glucans are introduced into food supplements. The body doesn’t produce beta-glucans, either.

Our modern diet is not what it used to be and capturing the vast amount of nutrients the body needs to function well through food alone is not always easy. It requires strategic choices, but even then, nutrient absorption isn’t guaranteed. Today, when every pleasure in the world is available at the push of a button, food is rated by convenience rather than quality.