Barley And Beta-Glucan Show Cholesterol-Reducing Benefits

Canadian and Jordanian researchers examining the effect of barley beta-glucan polysaccharides on cholesterol (lipid) levels in blood have found that three grams of barley daily lowered concentrations of total cholesterol as well as low-density lipoprotein (LDL or “bad cholesterol”) compared to controls. The researchers studied data from eleven clinical trials from 1989 to 2008. Overall, barley and beta-glucan, a form of soluble fiber isolated from barley, lowered total and LDL cholesterol concentrations by 0.30 mmol/l and 0.27 mmol/l, according to the study. “Increased consumption of barely products should be considered as a dietary approach to reduce LDL cholesterol concentrations,” the researchers concluded.