Effects of Mongolian hulled barley on lipid and glucose metabolism in C57Bl/6j mice

Barley and soluble fiber β glucan have been linked to improvements in lipid and glucose homeostasis, yet the comparative efficacy of roasted barley tea versus purified β glucan under different dietary stresses remains unclear. Male C57BL/6J mice were fed with a control chow (ND) or obesogenic diets—high fat (HFD), high cholesterol (HCD), or high fat/medium cholesterol (HF MCD)—for 13 weeks. Subgroups received roasted barley tea (BT) or a β glucan supplement (BGS). Fasting glucose and serum lipids (TC, TG, HDL C, LDL C) were quantified; liver and adipose histology were examined by H&E. One way ANOVA with Tukey’s test determined statistical significance (p<0.05). Both BT and BGS improved metabolic readouts versus diet matched controls, with consistently larger effects from BGS. In HFD fed mice, BGS nearly normalized body weight and markedly reduced TC (−23%), TG (−31%), and LDL C (−38%). HCD primarily increased TC and LDL C; BGS attenuated both. HF MCD induced the most severe dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia; BGS improved all parameters but did not fully restore normal values. Histology corroborated biochemical changes, showing reduced hepatic steatosis and smaller adipocytes with BGS. Purified β glucan confers robust, diet context dependent benefits on lipid and glucose metabolism, outperforming roasted barley tea. Roasted barley tea provides modest complementary effects, potentially via non fiber bioactives. These findings inform the development of barley based functional foods and dosing strategies for reducing metabolic risk.