February 10/Food Weekly News -- "Dietary fiber consumption may help to control appetite and to reduce calorie intake. Underlying molecular mechanisms were not fully investigated," scientists in Portici, Italy, report.
"The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of barley beta-glucans on short-term appetite and on satiety-related hormones in healthy subjects. Some 14 volunteers were selected and randomly assigned to have isocaloric breakfasts including a 3% beta-glucan-enriched bread (beta GB) or a control bread (CB). Post-breakfast individual self-records of appetite ratings and measure of calorie intake at an ad libitum lunch as well as measure of blood glucose, insulin, ghrelin and PYY concentrations, were performed. Beta GB determined a significant higher reduction of hunger and increase of fullness and satiety than CB.