Cebada

Related Terms

Barley flour, barley malt, barley oil, beta-glucan, brewer's spent grain, dietary fiber, germinated barley, Gramineae (family), high-fiber barley, high-protein barley flour (HPF), hordenine, hordeum, Hordeum dislichon, Hordeum distichon, Hordeum distychum, Hordeum murinum, Hordeum vulgare ssp., lunasin, mai ya, miso (Japanese), mugimeshi (Japanese), pearl barley, Poaceae (family), pot barley, prowashonupana (Prowash), Scotch barley, tocols, tocopherols, tocotrienols, vitamin E, wild barley, wild barley grass.
Note: Most scientific studies have used foods containing barley rather than barley supplements.

Background

Barley is a cereal grain used as a staple food in many countries. It is commonly used as an ingredient in baked products and soup in Europe and the United States. Barley malt is used to make beer and as a natural sweetener called malt sugar or barley jelly sugar. Barley has high fiber content.
Recent data suggest that barley may be promising in reducing total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or "bad") cholesterol in patients with mildly elevated cholesterol and in reducing the risk of heart disease. Although not well studied in humans, barley may protect against cancer. Current evidence suggests that beta-glucan from barley may not improve appetite control.
Germinated barley foodstuff (GBF) may play a role in the management of ulcerative colitis, irritable bowel disease, and mild constipation. High-fiber barley may be useful in the diets of patients with diabetes.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Evidence suggests that barley may help lower mildly elevated cholesterol, especially when used with other cholesterol-lowering agents. Larger trials are needed to confirm these results.

 B


Evidence suggests that barley may help lower mildly elevated cholesterol, especially when used with other cholesterol-lowering agents. Larger trials are needed to confirm these results.

 B


Supplementation with different types of barley beta-glucans had small effects on cardiovascular disease markers in humans. Further research is necessary in this area.

 C


Supplementation with different types of barley beta-glucans had small effects on cardiovascular disease markers in humans. Further research is necessary in this area.

 C


Barley has been used traditionally as a treatment for constipation, due to its high fiber content. However, there is limited scientific evidence in this area. Further research is necessary in order to establish safety and dosing recommendations.

 C


Barley has been used traditionally as a treatment for constipation, due to its high fiber content. However, there is limited scientific evidence in this area. Further research is necessary in order to establish safety and dosing recommendations.

 C


Early evidence suggests that barley meal may improve glucose tolerance. Better research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 C


Early evidence suggests that barley meal may improve glucose tolerance. Better research is necessary before a firm conclusion can be drawn.

 C


Germinated barley foodstuff (GBF), which comes from maturing barley, may be helpful in patients with ulcerative colitis. Scientific evidence in this area is limited, and further research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.

 C


Germinated barley foodstuff (GBF), which comes from maturing barley, may be helpful in patients with ulcerative colitis. Scientific evidence in this area is limited, and further research is needed before conclusions can be drawn.

 C


Increasing intake of whole-grain foods containing high amounts of soluble or insoluble fiber may help to control weight. Barley has high fiber content, but studies regarding whether barley promotes weight loss are limited.

 C


Increasing intake of whole-grain foods containing high amounts of soluble or insoluble fiber may help to control weight. Barley has high fiber content, but studies regarding whether barley promotes weight loss are limited.

 C


There is limited evidence suggesting that consumption of beta-glucan from barley does not improve appetite control. Further research in this area is necessary.

 D


There is limited evidence suggesting that consumption of beta-glucan from barley does not improve appetite control. Further research in this area is necessary.

 D
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
As an appetite suppressant, a meal-replacement bar containing 0.9 grams of beta-glucan (from eight grams of barley) has been taken by mouth.
For cardiovascular disease risk, a six-gram daily dose of a concentrated barley beta-glucan blended into a beverage has been taken twice daily for six weeks.
For constipation, 9-18 grams of germinated barley foodstuff (GBF) has been taken by mouth daily for up to 14 days.
For high cholesterol, 1.5 grams of barley oil twice daily or 30 grams of barley bran flour daily have been taken by mouth. Three to five grams of low- or high-molecular-weight barley beta-glucan extract has been taken by mouth for 10 weeks in functional foods. A supplement containing 50% pearl barley and 50% rice has been taken by mouth daily for 12 weeks. A six-gram daily dose of a concentrated barley beta-glucan blended into a beverage has been taken twice daily for six weeks.
For ulcerative colitis (mild-to-moderate), 10 grams of germinated barley foodstuff (GBF) has been taken by mouth three times daily. Twenty to thirty grams of GBF has been taken by mouth daily for 4-24 weeks.
For weight loss, a six-gram daily dose of a concentrated barley beta-glucan blended into a beverage has been taken by mouth twice daily for six weeks. Two packages of a supplement containing 50% pearl barley (seven grams of beta-glucan) and 50% rice have been taken by mouth daily for 12 weeks.
Note: Most trials have used foods containing barley rather than barley oil or other forms of barley.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Barley may lower blood sugar levels. Caution is advised when using medications that may also lower blood sugar. Patients taking drugs for diabetes by mouth or insulin should be monitored closely by a qualified healthcare professional, including a pharmacist. Medication adjustments may be necessary.
Barley may cause low blood pressure. Caution is advised in patients taking drugs that lower blood pressure.
Barley may also interact with cholesterol-lowering drugs, drugs taken by mouth, drugs that expel parasitic worms, drugs that stimulate the heart and blood flow, and gastrointestinal agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Bamba T, Kanauchi O, Andoh A, et al. A new prebiotic from germinated barley for nutraceutical treatment of ulcerative colitis. J Gastroenterol Hepatol 2002;17(8):818-824.
Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J. Diets containing barley significantly reduce lipids in mildly hypercholesterolemic men and women. Am J Clin Nutr 2004;80(5):1185-1193.
Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J. Lipids significantly reduced by diets containing barley in moderately hypercholesterolemic men. J Am Coll Nutr 2004;23(1):55-62.
Gabrovska D, Fiedlerova V, Holasova M, et al. The nutritional evaluation of underutilized cereals and buckwheat. Food Nutr Bull 2002;23(3 Suppl):246-249.
Hanai H, Kanauchi O, Mitsuyama K, et al. Germinated barley foodstuff prolongs remission in patients with ulcerative colitis. Int J Mol Med 2004;13(5):643-647.
Hogberg L, Laurin P, Falth-Magnusson K, et al. Oats to children with newly diagnosed coeliac disease: a randomised double blind study. Gut 2004;53(5):649-654.
Jenkins DJ, Kendall CW, Marchie A, et al. Type 2 diabetes and the vegetarian diet. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78(3 Suppl):610S-616S.
Keenan JM, Goulson M, Shamliyan T, et al. The effects of concentrated barley beta-glucan on blood lipids in a population of hypercholesterolaemic men and women. Br J Nutr 2007;97(6):1162-8.
Montbriand MJ. Herbs or natural products that protect against cancer growth part three of a four-part series. Oncol Nurs Forum 2004;31(6):E127-E146.
Natural Standard Research Collaboration, Chief Editors: Ulbricht C, Basch E, Natural Standard Herb and Supplement Reference - Evidence-Based Clinical Reviews, USA: Elsevier/Mosby, 2005.
Peters HP, Boers HM, Haddeman E, et al. No effect of added beta-glucan or of fructooligosaccharide on appetite or energy intake. Am J Clin Nutr 2009 Jan;89(1):58-63.
Nilsson AC, Ostman EM, Granfeldt Y, et al. Effect of cereal test breakfasts differing in glycemic index and content of indigestible carbohydrates on daylong glucose tolerance in healthy subjects. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;87(3):645-54.
Nilsson AC, Ostman EM, Holst JJ, et al. Including indigestible carbohydrates in the evening meal of healthy subjects improves glucose tolerance, lowers inflammatory markers, and increases satiety after a subsequent standardized breakfast. J Nutr 2008;138(4):732-9.
Rendell M, Vanderhoof J, Venn M, et al. Effect of a barley breakfast cereal on blood glucose and insulin response in normal and diabetic patients. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 2005;60(2):63-67.
Smith KN, Queenan KM, Thomas W, et al. Physiological effects of concentrated barley beta-glucan in mildly hypercholesterolemic adults. J Am Coll Nutr 2008;27(3):434-40.