Last Updated on May 4, 2024
A recent research study published in the British Journal of Nutrition states that barley could help manage diabetes. The study that was conducted by scientists at Lund University in Sweden looked at the impact barley had on the participants’ health. The results showed excellent benefits from adding barley to your diet. The researchers concluded that barley could quickly improve the participants’ health by lowering glucose levels and the risk for diabetes, as well as several other health benefits.
The study involved middle-aged men and women. They were instructed to eat bread made mostly out of barley for three days. The men and women ate the barley bread for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Approximately 11 – 14 hours after their last meal with barley, the scientists measured their risk factors for both diabetes and heart disease.
After studying the results, the researchers concluded that barley could have surprising health benefits, especially for diabetics. The data showed that the men and women’s metabolism increase for around 14 hours, and showed a decrease in sugar levels and an increase in insulin sensitivity.
The benefits come from barley’s ability to increase the number of gut bacteria, which is important in insulin sensitivity. Eating barley can drastically improve some bacteria in the gut. The bacteria also helps to reduce inflammation and control appetites, making you feel full. Not only does it have positive effects, but also these results are shown quickly after eating barley.
In other studies that revolved around barley, it was also shown that it could help lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and help maintain weight. With all of these health benefits, every diabetic should consider adding barley to their diet, which is easier than most people think. You can bake the same bread that was used in the study yourself.
“We added 105 grams (g) of white wheat flour to the cooled kernels, 300 g water, 6 g dry yeast and 5 g salt. The dough (we call it dough, but it doesn’t look like an ordinary dough) was kneaded for some minutes and proofed 30 minutes in the bowl, followed by another 35 minutes proofing in a baking tin. It is important to press the dough in the baking tin so that there are no air pockets. This can be done by cover with plastic foil and then press with your hands or, as we did, with another baking tin,”
Making the bread will take around an hour, and makes a great side dish to almost every meal.
The researchers from the study also included advice on managing glucose levels (some of the things are “common knowledge” to diabetics, like avoid white flour). The scientists suggest adding barley to your diet by adding it to soups and stews, or by using cooked barley instead of white rice.
The hopes are that the results from this study could reduce the number of new diabetes diagnoses, and help those diagnosed with diabetes better manage their glucose levels. The barley bread can allow diabetics to enjoy plenty of foods without having the blood sugar spikes that they are used to.
Only adding barley to your diet could have tremendous benefits for your overall health. There are tons of delicious and creative ways to insert the grains into your meals. You can whip up a delicious barley Greek salad, a beef barley soup, or a Tuscan barley soup that will not only fill you full but also keep your glucose levels in check.
