Brewers Spent Grain (BSG) is a source of dietary fibre for humans, particularly viscous fibres, which aid in the increased excretion of cholesterol and fat. Although BSG contain B Vitamins (such as: Folic acid, niacin, biotin, thiamine, choline, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, and pyridoxine) most studies on BSG concentrate on Vitamin E. Vitamin E serve as antioxidants, lowering serum Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. [1]
BSG has been scientifically proven to help prevent diseases including constipation, colon psychosocial function, high cholesterol, and certain Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. In recent years, nutritionists have focused their attention on dietary fibre as a key component in improving human health. [1]. Several studies have found a link between soluble dietary fibres (such as: glucan, pectin, guar gum and psyllium) and lower serum cholesterol, and consequently a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. [2]
BSG has been shown to improve the colon's physiological function, according to Zhang et al. A study was completed comparing a high-fibre diet with 62g BSG supplementation in breads, muffins, and breakfast flakes was tested, as well as a low-fibre diet with no BSG supplementation. For one week, two experimental groups of five subjects each were studied. The cholesterol and net cholesterol excretion per day were found to be greater on the high-fibre BSG diet than on the low-fibre diet. LDL lipoproteins carry a lot of cholesterol, which is linked to an elevated risk of heart disease therefore cholesterol must be excreted out of the body to prevent heart diseases. [3]
1 tablespoon of BiaSol Super Milled Grains will give you 10% RDA Fibre. Soluble dietary fibres such as -β-glucan from oats or barley are added to diets low in cholesterol and low in saturated-fat to help lower total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and thus lower the risk of cardiovascular disease. [4]
Ikram, S., Huang, L., Zhang, H., Wang, J. and Yin, M. (2017). Composition and Nutrient Value Proposition of Brewers Spent Grain. Journal of Food Science, [online] 82(10), pp.2232–2242. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28833108.
2.Gunness, P. and Gidley, M.J. (2010). Mechanisms underlying the cholesterol-lowering properties of soluble dietary fibre polysaccharides. Food & Function, 1(2), p.149.
3.Stojceska, V. (2019). Chapter 15 - Brewer’s Spent Grain From By-Product to Health: A Rich Source of Functional Ingredients. [online] ScienceDirect. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780128146392000150 [Accessed 10 Mar. 2022].
irishheart.ie. (n.d.). Irish Heart High intake of fibre in your diet reduces heart disease risk - Irish Heart. [online] Available at: https://irishheart.ie/news/high-intake-of-fibre-in-your-diet-reduces-heart-disease-risk/.