The objective of this study was to examine the effect of ingestion of Japanese noodles containing barley flour on blood sugar levels. Ten patients with mild type 2 diabetes were selected to eat Japanase noodles (the placebo meal) and Japanese noodles containing barley flour (the test meal) which had a high beta glucan concentration. Blood sugar and insulin levels were measured before the meal and at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 180 min after the meal. Blood sugar levels were significantly lower in the test meal than in the placebo meal 30 min after the meal. There was no significant difference in blood sugar levels at the other time points although the average value of the test meal tended to be lower than the control. There were no significant differences in the insulin concentration between the two meals, however, when gender differences were considered, the insulin concentration was significantly lower in women in the test meal 30 min after the meal compared with the placebo. In conclusion, Japanese noodles containing barley flour controlled the rise in blood sugar and insulin levels, immediately after consumption.
Key words : Barley, Beta-glucan, Diabetes, Blood sugar levels, Insulin. |
