β-Glucan, The Microbiome, And Butyrate

Further analysis indicated that the animals on the beta-glucan-supplemented diets had developed the kind of microbiota that set them up for all of these positive health outcomes, altering the gut's bacteria and the molecules produced through digestion.

These molecules, known as metabolites, are thought to be the key piece of the puzzle when it comes to how fiber encourages weight loss.