Scientific Opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to beta-glucans from oats and barley and maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations (ID 1236, 1299), increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake (ID 851, 852), reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses (ID 821, 824), and "digestive function" (ID 850) pursuant to Article 13(1) of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006 EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA)

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies was asked to provide a scientific opinion on a list of health claims pursuant to Article 13 of Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. This opinion addresses the scientific substantiation of health claims in relation to beta-glucans from oats and barley and maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations, increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake, reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses, and "digestive function". The scientific substantiation is based on the information provided by the Member States in the consolidated list of Article 13 health claims and references that EFSA has received from Member States or directly from stakeholders. The foods/food constituents that are the subject of the health claims are "barley grain fibre", "oat grain fibre", "oats beta-glucan", "barley beta-glucan", "barre cerealiere dietetique contenant de l'avoine", and "oatbran and oatbran products". From the conditions of use and references provided, the Panel assumes that the food constituent responsible for the claimed effects is beta-glucans from oats and barley. The Panel considers that beta-glucans from oats and barley are sufficiently characterised. Maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations The claimed effects are "fibres solubles (beta-glucane) et cholesterol sanguin" and "blood cholesterol level". The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effects refer to the maintenance of normal blood LDL-cholesterol concentrations. A claim on beta-glucans and maintenance of normal blood cholesterol concentrations has already been assessed with a favourable outcome. Increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake The claimed effect is "increases satiety, prolongs satiety". The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population. The Panel considers that an increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake, if sustained, might be a beneficial physiological effect. None of the studies provided tested the sustainability of an effect of beta-glucans from oats or barley on appetite ratings and subsequent energy intake. Thus, no conclusions can be drawn from the studies provided for the scientific substantiation of the claim. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has not been established between the consumption of beta-glucans from oats and barley and a sustained increase in satiety leading to a reduction in energy intake. Reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses The claimed effect is "carbohydrate metabolism and insulin sensitivity". The Panel assumes that the target population is individuals who wish to reduce their post-prandial glycaemic responses. In the context of the proposed wordings, the Panel assumes that the claimed effect refers to the reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses. The Panel considers that reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses (as long as post-prandial insulinaemic responses are not disproportionally increased) may be a beneficial physiological effect. In weighing the evidence, the Panel took into account that intervention studies in healthy subjects consistently show an effect of oat and barley beta-glucans in decreasing post-prandial glycaemic responses without disproportionally increasing post-prandial insulinaemic responses at doses of about 4 g per 30 g of available carbohydrates in bread and pasta products when consumed alone or in the context of a meal, and that the mechanism by which beta-glucans could exert the claimed effect is well established. On the basis of the data presented, the Panel concludes that a cause and effect relationship has been established between the consumption of beta-glucans from oats and barley and a reduction of post-prandial glycaemic responses. The Panel considers that in order to obtain the claimed effect, 4 g of beta-glucans from oats or barley for each 30 g of available carbohydrate should be consumed per meal. The target population is individuals who wish to reduce their post-prandial glycaemic responses. "Digestive function" The claimed effect is "beta-glucan improves digestive function". The Panel assumes that the target population is the general population. The Panel considers that "improving digestive function" without specification of the nutrients which are the target of the claim is not sufficiently defined. The Panel considers that the claimed effect is general and non-specific, and does not refer to any specific health claim as required by Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006.