Authorised EU health claim for arabinoxylan

Arabinoxylans are hemicellulose dietary fibres abundant in the bran of many cereal grains including wheat and rice. They pass undigested through the human intestine until they reach the colon where they provide substrates for bacterial fermentation, generating beneficial short-chain fatty acids including acetate, butyrate and propionate. As viscous fibres, arabinoxylans help suppress appetite, delay gastric emptying and slow post-prandial glucose and insulin responses as well as promote laxation. Their beneficial effects on post-prandial glucose responses have been recognised by the European Food Safety Authority, and the European Union has authorised a health claim that 'consumption of arabinoxylan as part of a meal contributes to a reduction of the blood glucose rise after that meal'. Eight substantiating research trials are reviewed, four in healthy adults, three in people with metabolic disturbance and one in people with type 2 diabetes. Results indicate that arabinoxylans added to foods have particular utility for people with disturbed metabolic responses or type 2 diabetes to support improved cardiovascular health.