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Soluble-fiber β-glucan derived from oats can reduce cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk through reductions in total and LDL cholesterol. Barley-derived β-glucan may also improve serum cholesterol, but large quantities are required for clinical significance.

This trial investigated whether a β-glucan–enriched form of barley can favorably modify cholesterol and other markers of CVD and diabetes risk.

Eighteen mildly hyperlipidemic (x̄ ± SD: 4.0 ± 0.6 mmol LDL cholesterol/L) men with a mean (± SD) body mass index (in kg/m²) of 27.4 ± 4.6 were randomly assigned in this single-blind, 2 × 4-wk trial to either the treatment arm [8.1–11.9 g β-glucan/d (scaled to body weight)] or the control arm (isoenergetic dose of 6.5–9.2 g glucose/d). After a washout period of 4 wk, dietary regimens were crossed over. The trial took place in a long-stay metabolic facility, and all foods were provided (38% of …