Evidence supporting the use of: Beta-Glucans
For the health condition: Constipation (children)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Beta-glucans are soluble dietary fibers found in cereals (such as oats and barley), mushrooms, and yeast. Their use for constipation, including in children, is primarily supported by scientific evidence, though the evidence base is still emerging and somewhat limited in scope and quality. Beta-glucans can increase stool bulk and water content, softening stools and promoting regular bowel movements by acting as a prebiotic fiber that enhances gut microbiota activity and short-chain fatty acid production.

Several small-scale studies and randomized controlled trials have investigated beta-glucan supplementation in children with constipation. For example, some studies using oat-derived beta-glucans in children have shown improvements in stool frequency and consistency compared to controls. These effects are attributed to the fiber’s ability to hold water and increase stool volume, as well as to its potential to modulate gut flora, which can influence bowel habits. However, the number of high-quality pediatric studies is limited, and sample sizes tend to be small, so while results are promising, they are not yet definitive.

Guidelines for pediatric constipation generally recommend dietary fiber as a first-line approach, and beta-glucans are among the fibers considered. However, they are not singled out as superior to other types of dietary fiber. In summary, there is modest scientific support for beta-glucans in the management of constipation in children, but more robust and larger-scale studies are needed to confirm efficacy and establish optimal dosing.

More about Beta-Glucans
More about Constipation (children)

Other ingredients used for Constipation (children)

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bacillus coagulans
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basil
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myrobalan
bifidobacterium bifidum
bifidobacterium breve
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bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
bio ecolian (proprietary)
blackberry
blueberry
bасора
carrot
chamomile
chicory
cinnamon
citrus sinensis (proprietary)
coconut milk
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cowage seed
cucumber
turmeric
d-sorbitol
fennel
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fructooligosaccharides (FOS)
fruit and vegetable blend (proprietary)
grape
green banana
guar gum
cellulose
Indian tinospora
inulin
isomalto-oligosaccharide
jujube
lactobacillus brevis
lactobacillus bulgaricus
lactobacillus gasseri
lactobacillus reuteri
lemon
mannitol
moringa
nettle
orange
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phellodendron amurense
pineapple
plum fruit
pomegranate
potato starch
prebiotic blend (proprietary)
prune
psyllium
pumpkin
raspberry
rhizome
slippery elm bark
sorbitol
spinach
streptococcus thermophilus
tomato
triphala
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vegetable and fruit blend (proprietary)
seaweed
watermelon
squawvine
cascara sagrada
tangerine
atractylodes
papaya
mugwort
Indian bael
nut grass
alpinia galangal
anise
punarnava
blackboard tree
root tuber
dioscorea
dodder
sweet flag
polyphenols
senna
peach
indigo leaves
soursop
Agar
Anthraquinone
Ardisia
Amomum
Alexandrian senna
Aloin
Appleblossom Cassia
Asam gelugor
Asteracea
Arabinoxylan
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Atractylone
Black Seed
Bifidobacterium
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Bidens pilosa
Broussonetia
Bishop's Weed
Belleric myrobalan
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Bitter Grass
Bael
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black salt
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Bee products
Bombax
Borassus Palm
Bacteria
Bifidobacteria
Bacillus
Bassia scoparia
Bottle gourd
Borneol
Coconut
Curry leaf
Cascaroside
Cactus
Cynomorium
Citrus
Cantaloupe
Cyclanthera pedata
Chenopodium
Curcuma
Cabbage
Chirata
Clostridium butyricum
Castor Oil
Celosia
Currant
Chondrus
Dianthrone
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Eclipta
Fig
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Fructan
Guava
Galactomannan
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hydroxyanthracene derivatives
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Karaya Gum
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Lactitol
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Lactobacillus kefiri
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Ligustilides
Luffa
Lodhtree
methylcellulose
Mucilage
Nymphaea nouchali
Nutmeg
Ophiopogon
Oligosaccharides
Operculina turpethum
Osmanthus
Oryza Sativa
Phyllanthus
Palmyra
Phaeophyceae
Polysaccharides
Plantago
Phosphate Salt
Probiotics
Pyrrosia
Piper retrofractum
Piper nigrum
Polygonum
Rubiaceae
Rhamnus Nakaharai
Rhubarb
Ricinoleic acid
Sennosides
Sicklepod
Sesbania
Sete sangrias
Solanum indicum
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Wheat
Yerba buena
Yacon
Zucchini
Zedoary
Zingerone

Products containing Beta-Glucans

We currently have no products on Vitabase that contain this ingredient.