Vol. 5, Issue 2, Part A (2023)

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a health problem throughout the world and is associated with cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Given the enduring outbreak of overweight and obesity, it is expected that the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome will continue to grow. Recent evidences suggest that dietary fiber that is rich in whole and unrefined grains is protective and play important role in preventing or delaying the onset of lifestyle diseases. 
Objective: This study investigated whether the consumption of a diet in which high-β-glucan barley replaced wheat and rice would reduce the visceral fat area, body weight as well as body composition in patients with metabolic syndrome. 
Methods: A total of two hundred four men & women with Metabolic Syndrome aged 30-70 years, participated in a randomized parallel group design comparing a diet rich in soluble fiber β-glucan (Intervention group) with a control diet (Control group)) of similar macronutrient composition but lacking barley. Both diets followed the National Cholesterol Education Program’s Adult Treatment Panel III NCEP (ATP III) STEP-I diet recommendations. 
Result: Repeated measures of anova revealed that both the groups has significantly lost their weight over time and, there was a strong time by group interaction (P=0.003). Mean reductions in waist circumference and waist/hip ratio also greater in the intervention group. During the intervention, there was a trend toward reduced body fat and visceral fat % in both the intervention and control group (p<0.001) and significant time by group interaction was observed for body fat % (p<0.001) & visceral fat % (p=0.007).
Conclusion: These findings indicated that intake of a high-fiber food especially soluble fiber (β-glucan) from barley should be strongly recommended to prevent the burden of chronic diseases.