Barley’s good for your heart. It can reduce not one but two types of bad cholesterol associated with cardiovascular risk.
A review that included 14 studies on clinical trials conducted in seven countries, including Canada, has indicated that barley has cholesterol-lowering effects as oats. The St Michael’s Hospital research paper found that barley reduced both low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and non-high-density lipoprotein (non-HDL) by seven per cent, ANI reported.
“The findings are most important for populations at high risk for cardiovascular disease — such as Type 2 diabetics — who have normal levels of LDL cholesterol, but elevated levels of non-HDL or apo B,” said research scientist Dr Vladimir Vuksan, adding, “Barley has a lowering effect on the total bad cholesterol in these high-risk individuals, but can also benefit people without high cholesterol.” The study has been published in The European Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Now, how about a breakfast barley bowl with mango, coconut and banana? Here’s the recipe.