Barley β-Glucan for Glucose Control
What You Need to Know Before You Apply
What is the purpose of this trial?
This trial explores how barley β-glucan, a type of soluble fiber, can help control blood sugar levels after meals. Participants will eat waffles with different amounts of barley β-glucan to observe its effects on blood sugar and insulin responses. The study will also examine how the waffles influence feelings of fullness and any digestive effects. Ideal participants are generally healthy, regularly eat three meals a day, and do not have diabetes or other specific health issues. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to understanding dietary impacts on health.
Will I have to stop taking my current medications?
If you are taking any prescription or non-prescription drugs, herbal, or nutritional supplements that affect blood sugar levels, you will need to stop taking them to participate in this trial.
Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?
Research has shown that beta-glucans from barley are usually easy to digest. Studies have found that these fibers can help reduce blood sugar spikes after eating, aiding those who need to manage their blood sugar levels post-meal. Importantly, using beta-glucans for up to 8-12 weeks has not been linked to any side effects, suggesting they are likely safe for most people when used short-term. However, consulting a healthcare professional is always wise before adding anything new to the diet, especially for individuals with existing health issues.12345
Why are researchers excited about this trial?
Researchers are excited about barley β-glucan for glucose control because it offers a natural, dietary approach to managing blood sugar levels, unlike traditional medications like metformin or insulin injections. Barley β-glucan is a type of soluble fiber that can slow down the absorption of carbohydrates, leading to more stable blood sugar levels after meals. This treatment is unique because it can be easily incorporated into daily meals, such as breakfast waffles, providing a simple and palatable option for those seeking to improve their glucose control without relying solely on pharmaceuticals.
What evidence suggests that barley β-glucan could be effective for glucose control?
Research has shown that barley β-glucan can help lower blood sugar levels after meals. One study found that mixing white rice with barley high in β-glucan improved blood sugar levels post-meal. Another study demonstrated that barley savigh helped control blood sugar in women at risk of diabetes. Additionally, consuming 4 grams of β-glucan is known to reduce blood sugar and cholesterol after meals. This trial will test different doses of barley β-glucan—low, medium, and high—to evaluate their effectiveness in managing blood sugar spikes after eating. These findings suggest that barley β-glucan might be useful in managing post-meal blood sugar spikes.25678
Who Is on the Research Team?
Heather Blewett, PhD
Principal Investigator
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?
This trial is for generally healthy men and women aged 18-40 with a BMI of 18.5-30 who regularly eat three meals a day. Participants must be willing to give informed consent and follow the study's requirements.Inclusion Criteria
Exclusion Criteria
Timeline for a Trial Participant
Screening
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial
Treatment
Participants attend 5 clinic visits in a fasted state to consume waffles with varying doses of barley β-glucan and undergo blood tests and questionnaires
Follow-up
Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment
What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?
Interventions
- Barley β-glucan
Trial Overview
The trial is testing how different doses of barley β-glucan (0g, 2g, 4g, and 6g) in waffles affect blood sugar levels after eating. It's designed as a cross-over study where participants will try each dose to see which one works best at controlling glucose and insulin response.
How Is the Trial Designed?
5
Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Placebo Group
Intervention: 4g barley β-glucan Dose provided in waffles given as breakfast to fasting participant at 1 of 5 visits.
Intervention: 2g barley β-glucan Dose provided in waffles given as breakfast to fasting participant at 1 of 5 visits.
Intervention: 6g barley β-glucan Dose provided in waffles given as breakfast to fasting participant at 1 of 5 visits.
Intervention: 0g barley β-glucan with fibre Dose provided in waffles given as breakfast to fasting participant at 1 of 5 visits.
Intervention: 0g barley β-glucan no fibre. Dose provided in waffles given as breakfast to fasting participant at 1 of 5 visits.
Find a Clinic Near You
Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?
St. Boniface Hospital
Lead Sponsor
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Collaborator
Citations
Effect of High β-glucan Barley on Postprandial Blood ...
The effect of white rice (WR) mixed with high β-glucan-containing barley at 50% on improvement of postprandial blood glucose levels was assessed
Barley β-glucan consumption improves glucose tolerance ...
Wild-type mice showed improved glucose tolerance after the intake of barley β-glucan, but this effect was attenuated in the slc13a2-deficient ...
Beta‐glucans from oats or barley and reduction of ...
The Panel concludes that a consistent effect of beta-glucans from oats or barley on the reduction of postprandial glycaemic responses has not ...
The effect of barley savigh consumption on blood sugar ...
The results of the present study showed that barley savigh consumption could improve blood sugar regulation in pre-diabetic postmenopausal women.
Effects of Beta-glucan From Barley and Oats on Glucose ...
According to the current Health Claim, 4 g ß glucan are necessary to achieve a reduction of the postprandial glycemic answer and a reduction of the cholesterol ...
β-Glucan (Barley; High Viscosity)
High purity Beta-Glucan Barley (High Viscosity) for use in research, biochemical enzyme assays and analytical testing applications. Purchase Beta-Glucan.
Beta-Glucan From Barley Attenuates Post-prandial ...
Several human feeding studies have shown that beta (β)-glucan (BG) from barley can mitigate the rise in post-prandial glycemic response after consuming a high ...
Beta-Glucans - Uses, Side Effects, and More
Taking larger amounts of beta-glucans as medicine is possibly safe for up to 8-12 weeks. There have been no reported side effects from taking beta-glucans by ...
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