Is Barley Good for Lowering Cholesterol? The truth Barley and Cholesterol

Scientific Evidence: The Effect of Barley on Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Meta-Analysis Confirms Barley’s Proven Impact on Lowering LDL Cholesterol (Talati et al., 2009)

A meta-analysis of 8 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving 391 participants investigated the effects of barley consumption on cholesterol levels over a period of 4 to 12 weeks. Participants were either hypercholesterolemic (having high cholesterol levels) or at risk of cardiovascular disease.

Initial Lipid Profile of Participants

At the start of these studies, participants exhibited elevated levels of total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol, which are known risk factors for heart disease. Their baseline values varied across the studies, but all were above the recommended healthy range.

Effects of Barley Consumption

After incorporating barley into their diet, the following statistically significant improvements were observed:

✔ Total cholesterol decreased by -13.38 mg/dL
✔ LDL cholesterol (“bad” cholesterol) reduced by -10.02 mg/dL
✔ Triglycerides dropped by -11.83 mg/dL
✔ No significant change in HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol)

📌 Interpretation of These Results:

• A 13.38 mg/dL decrease in total cholesterol reflects a noticeable improvement in overall lipid balance, lowering the risk of artery blockage.
• A 10.02 mg/dL drop in LDL cholesterol is particularly significant, as LDL cholesterol is a key contributor to plaque buildup in arteries, increasing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
• The 11.83 mg/dL reduction in triglycerides suggests that barley may help regulate fat metabolism, although the results vary across individuals.
• No effect on HDL cholesterol confirms that while barley actively lowers harmful cholesterol, it does not significantly impact the “good” cholesterol that helps protect the heart.

Comprehensive Study Confirms Barley’s Effectiveness in Lowering LDL Cholesterol (Zhu et al., 2021)

A more recent meta-analysis focused specifically on individuals with hypercholesterolemia. This study reviewed 17 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with a total of 916 participants to further assess the impact of beta-glucan from barley on lipid levels.

Baseline Condition of Participants

Before the study, participants had high total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels, consistent with a diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia. Many were also at risk for cardiovascular diseases, making cholesterol management crucial for their health.

Effects of Barley Beta-Glucan on Cholesterol

After consuming barley beta-glucan for several weeks, the following improvements were observed:

✔ Total cholesterol reduced by -0.26 mmol/L
✔ LDL cholesterol lowered by -0.21 mmol/L

However, in contrast to Talati et al.’s findings, this study found:
❌ No significant reduction in triglycerides
❌ No effect on HDL cholesterol or blood glucose levels

📌 What This Means for Cholesterol Management:

• Barley consistently reduces LDL cholesterol, confirming its role as a heart-healthy grain.
• The effect on triglycerides appears to be more variable, suggesting that barley alone may not be sufficient for triglyceride lowering and that results depend on diet composition and individual metabolic factors.
• No reported adverse effects, reinforcing barley’s safety as a natural dietary intervention for cholesterol management.

Barley vs. Wheat: Barley Lowers LDL Cholesterol More Effectively (McIntosh, 1991)

Another controlled study directly compared the effects of barley and wheat on cholesterol levels in 21 hypercholesterolemic men over a period of 4 weeks. Participants followed a crossover design, meaning they consumed barley-based foods for 4 weeks, then switched to wheat-based foods for another 4 weeks, allowing for a direct comparison between the two grains.

Baseline Cholesterol Levels of Participants

At the start of the study, participants had moderately high cholesterol levels, with:

• Total cholesterol averaging 6.23 mmol/L
• LDL cholesterol around 4.59 mmol/L

Effects of Barley vs. Wheat on Lipid Profile

After consuming barley-based foods for 4 weeks, the results showed:

✔ Total cholesterol decreased by 6% (compared to an increase with wheat)
✔ LDL cholesterol dropped by 7%
✔ No effect on HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, or blood glucose levels

In contrast, when participants switched to wheat-based foods, their cholesterol levels increased, reinforcing that barley is far superior to wheat for cholesterol management.

📌 Why is Barley More Effective Than Wheat?

• Barley contains significantly more beta-glucans (8 g/day in the study) compared to only 1.5 g/day in wheat, which is insufficient to lower LDL cholesterol.
• Beta-glucans actively trap cholesterol in the digestive tract, limiting its absorption and promoting excretion.
• Wheat, which primarily contains insoluble fiber, lacks the cholesterol-lowering effect seen with barley.

In addition to numerous scientific studies, barley has also been recognized by the FDA for its role in lowering cholesterol. Learn more about how the FDA validates these benefits.

Take Control of Your Heart Health with Barley

The scientific evidence is clear: barley is one of the most effective natural foods for lowering LDL cholesterol and improving cardiovascular health.

👉 Make the switch to barley today and take a natural step towards a healthier heart!

📜 Did you know? The ability of barley to lower LDL cholesterol is scientifically recognized by the FDA! Learn more about the research behind this approval and why barley is a game-changer for heart health. ❤️ Read more here: 👉 Powerful Ways to Lower Cholesterol Levels Naturally: FDA-Approved Barley

References

1. Talati, R., Baker, W. L., Pabilonia, M. S., White, C. M., & Coleman, C. I. (2011). The effects of barley-derived soluble fiber on serum lipids. Annals of Nutrition and Metabolism, 58(1), 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1159/000323817
2. Zhu, X., Sun, X., Wang, M., Zhang, C., Cao, Y., Mo, G., Liang, J., & Zhu, S. (2021). Quantitative assessment of the effects of beta-glucan consumption on serum lipid profile and glucose level in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Journal of Clinical Lipidology.
3. McIntosh GH, J Whyte, R McArthur, PJ Nestel. 1991. Barley and wheat foods: influence on plasma cholesterol concentrations in hypercholesterolemic men. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 53(1), 1205-1209.