Oat beta-glucan is a soluble dietary polysaccharide extracted from the endosperm cell walls of oat grain (Avena sativa). It consists of linear chains of glucose units linked by beta-1,3 and beta-1,4 glycosidic bonds, forming a highly viscous gel in aqueous solution.
Oat beta-glucan is one of the few dietary ingredients with an FDA-approved health claim for reducing the risk of coronary heart disease by lowering LDL cholesterol. It also supports blood sugar management, satiety enhancement, and immune modulation. Commercially, it is used in heart health supplements, functional foods, and as a clean-label texturizer in food manufacturing.