Article Figures & Data
Figures
- Figure 1.
Flow diagram of trial identification, inclusion, and exclusion.
HDL=high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; LDL=low-density lipoprotein
- Figure 2.
Impact of barley on serum lipids.
DL=DerSimonian and Laird random-effects model.
Tables
Reference Design Type of Patient Double-Blinding Na Duration of Treatment (wk) Preparation of Barley β-Glucan Intake per Day Concurrent Diet Modification HMW or LMW = high or low molecular weight β-glucan; NR = not reported; step I diet = diet consisting total fat to ≤30% of total calories, saturated fat to ≤10% of total calories, and cholesterol to 300 mg/d. a Number of patients evaluated. b Crossover trial treated as parallel trial with only the first phase of the study data taken into account. Shimizu et al,16 2007 Parallel Hypercholesterolemic Yes 39 12 Pearled barley 7 g None Keenan et al,17 2007 Parallel Hypercholesterolemic Yes 155 6 Barley concentrate in cereal and juice 3 or 5 g of either HMW or LMW Low saturated (<10%) & low trans unsaturated fat diet Biörklund et al,18 2005 Parallel Hypercholesterolemic No 55 5 Barley concentrate as beverage 5 or 10 g None Keogh et al,19 2003 Crossover Hypercholesterolemic No 18 4 Naturally extracted barley β-glucan as a gel 9.9 g None Li et al, 22 2003 Crossover Healthy No 10 4 Barley bran in whole grain NR None Lupton et al,20 1994 Parallel Hypercholesterolemic No 79 4 Barley bran flour or oil extract in capsules NR Step I diet McIntosh et al,21 1991 Parallelb Hypercholesterolemic No 21 4 Barley grain (bran and flakes) 8 g None Newman et al,10 1989 Parallel Healthy No 14 4 Barley grain flour in cereal and baked goods 4.5 g None - Table 2.
Results of the Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials Evaluating Effect of Barley Cholesterol Levels
Study Type Total Cholesterol mg/dL (95% CI) LDL Cholesterol mg/dL (95% CI) HDL Cholesterol mg/dL (95% CI) Triglycerides mg/dL (95% CI) CI=confidence interval; LDL = low–density lipoprotein; HDL = high–density lipoprotein; + = analysis-imputed missing studies. Note: All results reported as weighted mean differences. All studies −13.38 (−18.46 to −8.31) [8 studies] −10.02 (−14.03 to −6.00) [7 studies] 0.99 (−0.09 to 2.06) [6 studies] −11.83 (−20.12 to −3.55) [6 studies] Fixed-effects model −13.38 (−18.46 to −8.31) [8 studies] −10.02 (−14.03 to −6.00) [7 studies] 0.99 (−0.09 to 2.06) [6 studies] −11.83 (−20.12 to −3.55) [6 studies] Excluding crossover studies −13.75 (−19.24 to −8.26) [6 studies] −9.76 (−14.64 to −4.88) [5 studies] −0.97 (−3.31 to 1.36) [4 studies] −13.68 (−12.74. 0.39) [4 studies] Excluding studies not double-blind −17.39 (−26.05 to −8.74) [2 studies] −13.43 (−20.58 to −6.29) [2 studies] 0.85 (−4.71 to 6.41) [1 studies] −22.45 (−50.65 to 5.76) [1 studies] Excluding studies in patients without hypercholesterolemia −12.56 (−17.89 to −7.24) [6 studies] −9.38 (−14.13 to −4.63) [5 studies] 1.08 (−0.01 to 2.17) [4 studies] −11.06 (−24.97 to 2.85) [4 studies] Trim and fill −10.49 (−15.09 to −5.89) [+4 studies] −8.45 (−12.21 to −4.69) [+3 studies] 1.34 (0.31 to 2.37) [+3 studies] −11.83 (−20.12 to −3.55) [+0 studies] Studies evaluating barley with diet modification −17.14 (−25.02 to −9.23) [2 studies] −14.57 (−21.69 to −17.45) [2 studies] 1.53 (−2.98 to 6.05) [2 studies] −17.36 (−40.66 to 5.94) [2 studies] Studies evaluating barley without diet modification −10.75 (−17.38 to −4.12) [6 studies] −7.89 (−12.75 to −3.04) [5 studies] −0.16 (−2.33 to 2.02) [4 studies] −11.03 (−19.90 to −2.17) [4 studies]
Supplemental Appendix
Supplemental Appendix. Methods
Files in this Data Supplement:
- Supplemental data: Appendix - PDF file, 1 page, 75 KB
The Article in Brief
The Effects of Barley-Derived Soluble Fiber on Serum Lipids
Craig I. Coleman and colleagues
Background Oats, which are high in dietary soluble fibers called beta-glucan, have been shown to lower cholesterol levels. There have been fewer studies of the effects of barley on cholesterol, although barley also contains beta-glucan. This study examines previous research on barley to understand its effects on cholesterol.
What This Study Found Eating barley significantly reduces total cholesterol and triglycerides (the chemical form of fat).
Implications
- The results of this study support the routine use of soluble fibers in the diets of adult patients both with and without high cholesterol. Barley adds source of soluble fibers, in addition to oats, which can be eaten as part of a healthy, balanced diet.
