Barley
The
U. S. Food and Drug Administration has given food manufacturers permission
to use the health claim that barley may reduce the risk of heart disease
on packages containing a certain amount of this grain. To make this
claim, the barley-containing food must provide at least 0.75 grams of
soluble fiber per serving of the food.
Heart
disease kills over 500,000 persons each year. High levels of cholesterol
in the blood, especially LDL or low density lipoprotein cholesterol,
can lead to the buildup of plaque in the arteries and result in a heart
attack. This plaque can cause the inside of the blood vessels to become
narrow, and make it hard for blood to flow freely. This puts a strain
on the heart, which must work harder to pump the blood to the various
organs of the body. Ultimately, this can damage the heart muscles.
A
diet high in fiber and low in saturated fats and cholesterol is recommended
for people who want to lower their risk for heart disease or to prevent
a heart attack. The soluble fiber in barley helps to lower serum cholesterol.
Reference:
http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/news/2005/NEW01287.html
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Omega-3-Fatty
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