Home Ingredients BarliV™ (Barley Beta-Glucan — Cargill)
CardiovascularMetabolic HealthGut Health

BarliV™ (Barley Beta-Glucan — Cargill)

Hordeum vulgare
Evidence Level
Strong
2 Clinical Trials
6 Documented Benefits
4/5 Evidence Score

BarliV™ is a barley beta-glucan ingredient from Cargill — distinguished by water-soluble beta-glucan from barley with FDA-approved health claim for cholesterol management. Soluble fiber from barley with documented cholesterol-lowering effects. Cargill's complement to CoroWise plant sterols in cardiovascular ingredient portfolio. Used for: cholesterol management, glycemic control, soluble fiber fortification, cardiovascular health.

Studied Dose 3 g/day barley beta-glucan (FDA health claim threshold)
Active Compound Barley beta-glucan (soluble fiber)

Benefits

FDA-Approved Cholesterol Health Claim

Barley beta-glucan carries FDA-approved health claim for cholesterol management — at 3 g/day intake, may reduce risk of coronary heart disease.

Supported by Trial 1

Cholesterol Reduction via Bile Acid Binding

Soluble beta-glucan binds bile acids; liver uses cholesterol to make new bile acids; net cholesterol reduction.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Glycemic Control

Beta-glucan slows carbohydrate digestion and absorption — supports postprandial glucose modulation.

Supported by Trial 2

Satiety Support

Viscous soluble fiber promotes satiety — relevant to weight management.

Supported by Trial 1

Gut Microbiome Fermentation

Colonic fermentation produces short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) supporting gut and immune health.

Water-Soluble Form

BarliV's water-soluble beta-glucan enables beverage and food applications without significant texture impact at appropriate doses.

Supported by Trial 1, Trial 2

Mechanism of action

1

Bile Acid Binding (Primary)

Soluble beta-glucan forms viscous gel that binds bile acids in intestine; bile acids excreted instead of recycled; liver synthesizes new bile from cholesterol; net cholesterol reduction.

2

Slowed Gastric Emptying

Viscous fiber slows gastric emptying — modulates postprandial glucose and supports satiety.

3

Beta-Glucan Structure

1,3/1,4 beta-glucan from barley distinct from yeast 1,3/1,6 beta-glucan (which has different immune-focused mechanism).

4

Colonic Fermentation

Soluble fiber fermentation produces SCFAs (butyrate, acetate, propionate) supporting gut and metabolic health.

Clinical trials

1
Barley Beta-Glucan for Cholesterol — Evidence Syntheses

Multiple pooled analyses of barley beta-glucan for cholesterol management.

Various populations including hypercholesterolemic.

Consistent LDL cholesterol reductions with 3+ g/day barley beta-glucan; supports FDA health claim.

2
Beta-Glucan for Glycemic Control

Multiple beta-glucan trials on postprandial glucose response.

Adults including pre-diabetic and diabetic.

Reduced postprandial glucose response; modest improvements in glycemic markers.

Side effects and drug interactions

Common Potential side effects

Generally well-tolerated.
Mild GI distress at higher doses (gas, bloating during fiber adjustment).
Allergic reactions to barley/cereals possible.
Gluten — barley contains gluten; avoid with celiac/gluten sensitivity.
Sodium content negligible.

Important Drug interactions

Diabetes medications — modest hypoglycemic effects from glycemic modulation; monitor.
All oral medications — fiber may modestly reduce absorption; separate by 1-2 hours from medications.
Statins — complementary cholesterol-lowering effects.
Pregnancy — generally safe at dietary levels.
Lactation — generally safe.
Celiac disease / gluten sensitivity — barley contains gluten; avoid.

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Frequently asked questions about BarliV™ (Barley Beta-Glucan — Cargill)

What is BarliV?

BarliV™ is a barley beta-glucan ingredient from Cargill — distinguished by water-soluble beta-glucan from barley with FDA-approved health claim for cholesterol management. Soluble fiber from barley with documented cholesterol-lowering effects.

What is BarliV used for?

BarliV is researched primarily for Cardiovascular, Metabolic Health, and Gut Health. Barley beta-glucan carries FDA-approved health claim for cholesterol management — at 3 g/day intake, may reduce risk of coronary heart disease.

What is the recommended dosage of BarliV?

The clinically studied dose is 3 g/day barley beta-glucan (FDA health claim threshold) Always follow the product label and check with a healthcare provider for personal advice.

Is BarliV safe, and does it have side effects?

For most healthy adults, BarliV is well tolerated at studied doses. Reported effects can include: Generally well-tolerated. Mild GI distress at higher doses (gas, bloating during fiber adjustment). It may also interact with some medications. BarliV is not right for everyone, so check with a healthcare provider first if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, have a medical condition, or take prescription medication.

Does BarliV interact with any medications?

Possible interactions include: Diabetes medications — modest hypoglycemic effects from glycemic modulation; monitor. All oral medications — fiber may modestly reduce absorption; separate by 1-2 hours from medications. If you take prescription medication, check with a pharmacist or doctor before using it.

How strong is the scientific evidence for BarliV?

NutraSmarts rates the evidence for BarliV as Strong (4 out of 5). It is backed by 2 clinical trials and 4 cited references summarized on this page. A higher rating reflects more, larger, and better-designed human studies.

References(4 citations)

Evidence ratings on NutraSmarts are based on the totality of human clinical research, with emphasis on randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses, and systematic reviews. The references below directly support claims made throughout this page.

  1. AbuMweis SS, Jew S, Ames NP. beta-glucan from barley and its lipid-lowering capacity: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010;64(12):1472-80. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2010.178.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 11 RCTs finding barley and barley-isolated beta-glucan lowered LDL cholesterol by ~0.27 mmol/L and total cholesterol by ~0.30 mmol/L versus control, backing the cholesterol-lowering claim; the authors note the effect was not clearly dose-dependent in their data.
  2. Ho HV, Sievenpiper JL, Zurbau A, Blanco Mejia S, Jovanovski E, Au-Yeung F, et al. A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of the effect of barley beta-glucan on LDL-C, non-HDL-C and apoB for cardiovascular disease risk reduction. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2016;70(11):1340. doi: 10.1038/ejcn.2016.129.PubMedUsed to support: Meta-analysis of 14 RCTs concluding barley beta-glucan (median ~6.5 g/day) significantly lowered LDL-C, non-HDL-C, and apoB, supporting its use for cardiovascular risk reduction; effect on the latter two atherogenic markers strengthens the lipid claim beyond LDL alone.
  3. Behall KM, Scholfield DJ, Hallfrisch J. Diets containing barley significantly reduce lipids in mildly hypercholesterolemic men and women. Am J Clin Nutr. 2004;80(5):1185-93. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/80.5.1185.PubMedUsed to support: Small controlled-diet crossover trial (25 mildly hypercholesterolemic adults) showing 0, 3, and 6 g/day barley beta-glucan dose-dependently reduced total and LDL cholesterol, directly supporting the ~3 g/day cholesterol-lowering threshold; small sample is a limitation.
  4. Thondre PS, Shafat A, Clegg ME. Molecular weight of barley beta-glucan influences energy expenditure, gastric emptying and glycaemic response in human subjects. Br J Nutr. 2013;110(12):2173-9. doi: 10.1017/S0007114513001682.PubMedUsed to support: Small human crossover study showing high-molecular-weight barley beta-glucan slowed gastric emptying and lowered postprandial glycaemic response more than low-MW beta-glucan, supporting the claim that the glucose effect is molecular-weight-dependent; small acute trial, not a chronic outcome.