Effectiveness of hydroxycinamates and beta-glucans as dietary tools against obesity and its associated dysfunctions, and their application as nutraceuticals

Abstract

Over the last few years the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased, affecting in certain parts of the World to more than half of the adult population. Obesity has been related to disorders such as type-2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and cardiovascular diseases, among others, which has made obesity the second cause of preventable death, only behind smoking. Bearing this in mind, it is necessary to find new strategies to overcome overweight/obesity and its associated pathologies. In this context, nutraceuticals and dietary supplements have become interesting tools thanks to their composition, rich in bioactive compounds beneficial to health. Among bioactive compounds, this study will focus on β-glucans, a type of soluble dietary fiber, and hydroxycinnamic acids, a group of phenols. Both types of compounds show complex and multifactorial effects, acting as hypolipemic, hypoglycemic, antioxidant, prebiotic and satiating agents. They act by modulating different metabolic pathways, affecting the absorption and metabolism of lipids and carbohydrates, reducing oxidative damage, promoting the proliferation of beneficial bacterial species, and reducing dietary intake. It may be concluded that both beta-glucans and hydroxycinnamates have potential as nutritional tools for the management of obesity and its associated metabolic dysfunctions.