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A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of the effect of barley β-glucan on LDL-C, non-HDL-C and apoB for cardiovascular disease risk reduction
Meta-analysis of 14 RCTs (n=615) found diets enriched with barley β-glucan (~6.5–6.9 g/day for ~4 weeks) lowered LDL-C by 0.25 mmol/L and non-HDL-C by 0.31 mmol/L versus control diets, without significant apoB changes; heterogeneity was extreme for non-HDL-C.
Design
≥3-week RCTs comparing barley β-glucan–enriched diets vs control diets reporting LDL-C, non–HDL-C, or apoB.
Pooled mean differences (random effects)
- LDL-C: −0.25 mmol/L (95% CI −0.30 to −0.20; 14 trials, N = 615; median dose ~6.5 g/day β-glucan)
- non–HDL-C: −0.31 mmol/L (−0.39 to −0.23; I² ≈ 98%)
- apoB: no significant pooled change versus control
Evidence hygiene
Short median duration (~4 weeks) and unexplained heterogeneity on non–HDL-C—use as viscous-fiber / LDL physiology anchor, not a long-term MACE claim.
Publication
Ho HV, Sievenpiper JL, Zurbau A, et al. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2016 Nov;70(11):1239-1245. PMID 27273067.
Outcomes
- Pooled LDL-C MD −0.25 mmol/L (95% CI −0.30 to −0.20) with median barley β-glucan dose ~6.5 g/day for ~4 weeks (14 RCTs, n=615).
- Pooled non–HDL-C MD −0.31 mmol/L (95% CI −0.39 to −0.23) with very high heterogeneity (I²≈98%); apoB unchanged vs control.