Check out this answer from Consensus:
The evidence from multiple studies indicates that barley, particularly its beta-glucan component, can effectively lower total and LDL cholesterol levels, contributing to improved cardiovascular health. While individual responses may vary, the overall findings support the inclusion of barley in the diet as a beneficial strategy for managing cholesterol levels.
Barley, a cereal grain rich in soluble fiber, particularly beta-glucan, has been studied for its potential health benefits, including its ability to lower cholesterol levels. This article explores the evidence from various research studies to determine whether barley is effective in reducing cholesterol and improving cardiovascular health.
Mechanisms of Cholesterol Reduction
Barley beta-glucan is believed to lower cholesterol through several mechanisms. One study suggests that the cholesterol-lowering effect of barley beta-glucan may be due to increased bile acid excretion and subsequent synthesis, rather than the inhibition of cholesterol absorption or synthesis2. Another study supports this by showing that barley beta-glucan increases fecal bile acid excretion and short-chain fatty acid levels, which are associated with cholesterol reduction7.
Clinical Evidence
Randomized Controlled Trials
Several randomized controlled trials have investigated the effects of barley on cholesterol levels. A study involving mildly hypercholesterolemic men found that a diet enriched with beta-glucan from barley significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels compared to a control diet3. Another trial with hypercholesterolemic Japanese men showed that replacing rice with high beta-glucan barley significantly reduced serum LDL and total cholesterol levels4 5.
Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses
A systematic review and meta-analysis of eight trials concluded that barley consumption significantly lowers total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, but does not significantly affect HDL cholesterol6. This comprehensive analysis supports the cholesterol-lowering benefits of barley beta-glucan.
Comparative Studies
Comparative studies have also highlighted the effectiveness of barley compared to other grains. For instance, a study comparing barley and wheat foods found that barley, which contains soluble beta-glucan, was more effective in lowering total and LDL cholesterol than wheat, which contains largely insoluble fiber9.
Variability in Response
Despite the positive findings, some studies have reported variability in the cholesterol-lowering effects of barley. A trial with mildly hyperlipidemic men found no significant changes in cholesterol levels with beta-glucan-enriched barley, suggesting that individual responses to barley beta-glucan can vary1.
Is barley good for lowering Cholesterol?
Laura Nyström has answered Likely
An expert from Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich in Food Science
Cereal beta-glucan, a soluble fibre found in barley as well as in oats, has well documented cholesterol reducing properties. The exact mechanism and molecular level understanding of the cholesterol lowering effect remain still to a part unclear, but evidence for the health effects of cereal beta-glucan in modulating lipid and sugar absorption and metabolism are well demonstrated, and therefore it is likely that barley indeed possesses these suggested health benefits.
Is barley good for lowering Cholesterol?
Helle Nygaard Lærke has answered Near Certain
An expert from Aarhus University in Nutrition
There is a broad consensus that oat and barley and fiber products hereof have cholesterol lowering properties.
Both FDA (The US Food and Drug administration) and EFSA (The European Food Safety Authority) and other national authorities have adopted health claims for the cholesterol lowering properties. This is based on sufficient solid scientific evidence. The active ingredient providing the cholesterol lowering properties is beta-glucan. Beta-glucan is a type of soluble fiber, consisting of large polymers formed by β-D-linked glucose-units. This type of fiber is found in cereal grains and in particularly high levels in oats and barley.
The formulation of health claims state that oat and barley beta-glucans have been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol. High cholesterol is a risk factor in the development of coronary heart disease. At least 3 g of barley beta-glucans should be consumed per day in order to obtain the claimed effect. The target population is adults who want to lower their blood cholesterol concentrations. Similarly, FDA states that 3 g or more per day of β-glucan soluble fiber from either whole oats or barley, or a combination of whole oats and barley should be eaten as a part of a balanced diet. In the FDA regulation it is strictly defined which type of products (with requirements for beta-glucan and fiber content) that can obtain health claims. Apart from the daily dose of minimum 3 g β -glucan, the FDA claim as require a minimum of at least 0.75 g of beta-glucan soluble fiber per servering.
Is barley good for lowering Cholesterol?
Shengmin Sang has answered Likely
An expert from North Carolina A&T State University in Food Science, Nutrition, Alternative Medicine
Numerous human studies have reported that barley β-glucan can lower cholesterol.