Beta-glucans and colds
What 3 graded rows on beta-glucans agree on for colds, and where they differ. Counted side by side, never averaged.
Consensus finder Rows from the Beta-glucans page, reviewed Oct 21, 2026 How it decides
What the rows agree on
Each block and row is one graded row from the Beta-glucans page, with its PubMed record.
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Beta-glucans and colds
3 rows · 474 peopleSplit. 1 row found an improvement, 1 found no difference and 1 had mixed results.
- CGrade C× 2
- DGrade D× 1
- Rows
- 3
- Trials
- 3
- People
- 474
Where they differ
From the rowsThe best-graded row, grade C, is a randomized trial of 299 people (2019) and reported mixed results.
Only the row that found an improvement names women in its population.
The row that found no difference is newer (2017) than the row that found an improvement (2012).
The best grade is C among the row that found no difference, and D among the row that found an improvement.
1 row with mixed results is left out of this comparison.
The rows
1 improved · 1 no difference · 1 mixed- DGrade DUpper respiratory symptoms in stressed women · Improved
RCT · n 77 · 2012 · Moderately stressed women
250 mg/day · 12 weeks
Fewer women reported upper respiratory symptoms (10% vs 29%) and mood and vigour scores were better than placebo.
Row on the Beta-glucans page · PubMed 23378458 (opens PubMed)
- CGrade CCold (URTI) incidence in older adults · No difference
RCT · n 98 · 2017 · Adults aged 50–70 (49 completers per group)
250 mg/day · 90 days in winter
17 confirmed colds versus 28 on placebo (odds ratio 0.55, not significant); symptom days trended lower and severity did not differ.
Row on the Beta-glucans page · PubMed 28606567 (opens PubMed)
- CGrade CCold (URTI) incidence and symptom severity · Mixed
RCT · n 299 · 2019 · Healthy adults with at least 3 colds in the previous year
900 mg/day · 16 weeks in winter
Similar numbers got a cold (71 vs 70) and overall severity did not differ, but physical symptoms were milder over the first 7 days of an episode.
Row on the Beta-glucans page · PubMed 30198828 (opens PubMed)