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Physiological Effects of Concentrated Barley β-Glucan in Mildly Hypercholesterolemic Adults

Department of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, St. Paul (K.N.S., K.M.Q., R.G.F., J.L.S.)
Division of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis (W.T.), Minnesota

Address correspondence to: Joanne Slavin, Department of Food Science and Nutrition, 1334 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108. E-mail: jslavin{at}umn.edu

Objective: Barley fiber rich in beta-glucans lowers serum lipids, but is difficult to incorporate into products acceptable to consumers. We investigated the physiological effects of two concentrated barley β-glucans on cardiovascular disease (CVD) endpoints and body weight in human subjects.

Methods: Hypercholesterolemic men and women (n = 90) were randomly assigned to one of two treatments: low molecular weight (low-MW) or high molecular weight (high-MW) concentrated barley β-glucan consumed as a daily supplement containing 6 grams beta-glucan/day. Fasting blood samples were collected at baseline and week 6 and analyzed for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, insulin, homocysteine and C-reactive protein (CRP). Dietary intakes, body weights, blood pressure, hunger ratings, and gastrointestinal symptoms were measured at baseline and 6 weeks.

Results: The only difference between treatments in lipid outcomes at week 6 was a reduction of the cholesterol/HDL ratio in the low-MW group and a small increase in the high-MW group. No changes were found in blood pressure, glucose, insulin, and gastrointestinal symptoms. Body weight decreased from baseline to 6 weeks in the high-MW group while body weight increased in the low-MW group. Levels of hunger decreased slightly in the low-MW group and decreased significantly in the high-MW group (P = 0.02)

Conclusion: Overall, supplementation with isolated barley β-glucans of different molecular weights had small effects on cardiovascular disease markers. Molecular weight of the barley fiber did alter effects on body weight with the high-MW fiber significantly decreasing body weight.