Oats and Barley: A Natural Alternative to Ozempic?

Beta-glucan was discovered, through animal studies, to be more effective in helping with weight loss than other plant-based fibers, including dextrin, resistant starch, and cellulose.

Andrew Griffin

Published: 9/11/2025, 5:15:17 PM EDT

Oats and Barley: A Natural Alternative to Ozempic? — A member of staff holds a tray of barley at the Akkeshi Whisky Distillery in Akkeshi, Japan, on Oct. 29, 2019. (Carl Court/Getty Images)

Scientists reveal that a dietary fiber known as beta-glucan is shown to regulate blood sugar and assist in weight loss, as shown in animal studies, reports the Journal of Nutrition.

University of Arizona biomedical scientist Frank Duca said beta-glucan, found in oats and barley, can reduce body weight and cases of obesity.

Beta-glucan was discovered, through animal studies, to be more effective in helping with weight loss than other plant-based fibers, including dextrin, resistant starch, and cellulose.

"We wanted to know what kind of fiber would be most beneficial for weight loss and improvements in glucose homeostasis so that we can inform the community, the consumer, and then also inform the agricultural industry," Duca explained in a University of Arizona news article.

Mice in the study were fed a high-fat diet with different fibers included in their food. Later, the gut biome of the mice was studied, following "metabolic homeostasis through alterations in the gut microbiota and its metabolites."

It is the metabolites that are key, as they are the molecules produced when gut bacteria interact with the beta-glucan fiber. It is this metabolic interaction that appears responsible for the weight-loss effects, the University of Arizona team found. And it is that metabolite, called butyrate, which is "a key fuel source for colon cells, promoting a healthy gut barrier to reduce systemic inflammation."

The study also noted that the metabolite butyrate also induces the release of gut peptides, or messengers that regulate the functions of the gut, such as the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).

So, as weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic—known as semaglutides, a synthetic version of GLP-1—take the market by storm, helping people shed those extra pounds very quickly or helping those treating type 2 diabetes, this could prove to be a natural weight-loss option that is not expensive, as those using semaglutides who may not have insurance coverage.

"Part of the benefits of consuming dietary fiber is through the release of GLP-1 and other gut peptides that regulate appetite and body weight," Duca said.

Also, improving gut barrier health and targeting peripheral organs like the liver is something Duca and his team are looking at. The University of Arizona scientists are researching other types of fiber that can be beneficial for weight reduction, the article said.

In a previous study, the Duca Lab discovered that barley flour was the most effective in promoting weight loss compared to several other commercially available flours. Other studies involving oligofructose have also demonstrated beneficial effects.

In the future, Duca hopes to collaborate with other researchers to develop enhanced fibers that can optimize the release of butyrate.