Changes

Charaka gives much emphasis on the use of barley (''yava'') in ''prameha''. Barley has hypoglycemic effect along with its potent lipid reducing effect and it is best ''ruksha'' diet that helps in depleting excess of fat while providing essential energy required for maintaining daily life. Dutch researchers used a crossover study with 10 healthy men to compare the effects of cooked barley kernels and refined wheat bread on blood sugar control. The men ate one or the other of these grains at dinner, then were given a high glycemic index breakfast (50g of glucose) the next morning for breakfast. When they had eaten the barley dinner, the men had 30% better insulin sensitivity the next morning after breakfast<ref>American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. January 2010; 91(1):90-7. Epub 2009 Nov 4</ref>.

Charaka gives much emphasis on the use of barley (''yava'') in ''prameha''. Barley has hypoglycemic effect along with its potent lipid reducing effect and it is best ''ruksha'' diet that helps in depleting excess of fat while providing essential energy required for maintaining daily life. Dutch researchers used a crossover study with 10 healthy men to compare the effects of cooked barley kernels and refined wheat bread on blood sugar control. The men ate one or the other of these grains at dinner, then were given a high glycemic index breakfast (50g of glucose) the next morning for breakfast. When they had eaten the barley dinner, the men had 30% better insulin sensitivity the next morning after breakfast<ref>American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. January 2010; 91(1):90-7. Epub 2009 Nov 4</ref>.

Scientists at the Functional Food Centre at Oxford Brookes University in England fed 8 healthy human subjects ''chapatis'' (unleavened Indian flatbreads) made with 0 g, 2g, 4g, 6g or 8g of barley beta-glucan fiber. They found that all amounts of barley beta-glucan lowered the glycemic index of the breads, with 4g or more making a significant difference7.

Scientists at the Functional Food Centre at Oxford Brookes University in England fed 8 healthy human subjects ''chapatis'' (unleavened Indian flatbreads) made with 0 g, 2g, 4g, 6g or 8g of barley beta-glucan fiber. They found that all amounts of barley beta-glucan lowered the glycemic index of the breads, with 4g or more making a significant difference<ref>Nutrition Research. July 2009; 29(7):4806 </ref>

In a crossover study involving 17 obese women at increased risk for insulin resistance, USDA scientists studied the effects of 5 different breakfast cereal test meals on subjects’ insulin response. They found that consumption of 10g of barley beta-glucan significantly reduced insulin response8.

In a crossover study involving 17 obese women at increased risk for insulin resistance, USDA scientists studied the effects of 5 different breakfast cereal test meals on subjects’ insulin response. They found that consumption of 10g of barley beta-glucan significantly reduced insulin response<ref>European Journal of Nutrition. April 2009; 48(3):170-5. Epub 2009 Feb 5</ref>

University of Connecticut researchers reviewed 8 studies evaluating the lipid-reducing effects of barley. They found that eating barley significantly lowered total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and triglycerides, but did not appear to significantly alter HDL (“good”) cholesterol9.

University of Connecticut researchers reviewed 8 studies evaluating the lipid-reducing effects of barley. They found that eating barley significantly lowered total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, and triglycerides, but did not appear to significantly alter HDL (“good”) cholesterol9.