Researchers looked at 31 different studies involving over 1,300 people to see if eating barley could help control blood sugar levels. Barley is a grain that contains lots of fiber, which some scientists think might be good for managing blood sugar. The study found that eating barley did help keep blood sugar from spiking too high right after meals, especially in the first hour or two. However, the benefits didn’t last all day, and barley didn’t seem to help with long-term blood sugar control. While these short-term results are interesting, scientists say we need more research to be sure about barley’s real benefits.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: Whether eating barley (a type of grain) helps people control their blood sugar levels better, both right after eating and over the long term.
  • Who participated: The analysis combined results from 31 different research studies that included a total of 1,325 adults—660 people who ate barley and 665 people who didn’t.
  • Key finding: Eating barley helped lower blood sugar spikes for about 2 hours after meals, with the biggest effect happening around 60 minutes after eating. However, this benefit disappeared after 3 hours, and barley didn’t help with blood sugar control over weeks or months.
  • What it means for you: If you’re looking for a quick way to prevent blood sugar from spiking right after a meal, barley might help a little bit. However, it’s not a solution for long-term blood sugar management, and you shouldn’t rely on it alone if you have diabetes or blood sugar concerns. Talk to your doctor before making major changes to your diet.

The Research Details

This was a meta-analysis, which means researchers searched through scientific databases and found 31 different controlled studies about barley and blood sugar. In a controlled study, some people eat barley while others don’t, and researchers compare what happens to both groups. The researchers combined all the results from these 31 studies to see if there was a clear pattern.

The studies they looked at measured blood sugar and insulin (a hormone that helps control blood sugar) at different times after people ate meals with barley. They measured these things at 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 120 minutes, and 180 minutes after eating. They also looked at long-term effects by checking blood sugar markers that show control over weeks and months.

Two independent reviewers checked all the data to make sure it was accurate, and they used special statistical methods to combine the results fairly from all the different studies.

A meta-analysis is powerful because it combines many smaller studies into one big picture. Instead of relying on just one study (which might have been done differently or had different types of people), a meta-analysis shows what happens when you look at all the evidence together. This helps us see if the results are real or just happened by chance in one study.

This study is fairly strong because it looked at 31 different controlled trials, which is a lot of research. The researchers were careful to follow a specific plan (registered with PROSPERO) before they started, which helps prevent bias. However, the studies they looked at might have been done differently—some might have used different amounts of barley or studied different types of people. The researchers noted that more high-quality studies are needed to be completely sure about the results.

What the Results Show

Barley helped lower blood sugar levels right after meals, but only for a limited time. At 30 minutes after eating, blood sugar dropped by about 10 mg/dL. At 60 minutes, it dropped by about 12 mg/dL (the biggest effect). At 120 minutes, the drop was smaller at about 7 mg/dL. However, by 180 minutes (3 hours), there was no significant difference anymore.

Barley also helped lower insulin levels (the hormone that manages blood sugar) at 30 minutes and 60 minutes after eating, with the biggest drop at 60 minutes. This suggests barley might help your body handle blood sugar spikes more smoothly right after meals.

However, when researchers looked at long-term markers—things that show how well your blood sugar is controlled over weeks and months—barley didn’t make a difference. Fasting blood sugar (measured before eating) and hemoglobin A1c (a test that shows average blood sugar over 3 months) didn’t improve with barley.

The research showed that barley’s benefits are very time-specific. The effect happens early (within the first hour) and then fades away. This suggests barley works by slowing down how fast your body absorbs sugar from food, but it doesn’t change how your body manages blood sugar overall. The fact that long-term markers didn’t improve is important—it means eating barley occasionally might help with one meal, but it won’t fix blood sugar problems if you eat it just once or twice.

Previous research suggested that barley’s fiber and a special compound called beta-glucan might help with blood sugar control. This meta-analysis confirms that there is a real short-term benefit, which supports what scientists thought. However, it also shows that the benefit is smaller and shorter-lasting than some people hoped. The finding that long-term control doesn’t improve is important because it suggests barley alone isn’t a solution for managing diabetes or pre-diabetes.

The studies looked at different amounts of barley and different types of people, which makes it harder to say exactly how much barley you need or who it works best for. Some studies were short-term, so we don’t know if the benefits continue if you eat barley regularly over months or years. The researchers also noted that more high-quality studies are needed—some of the studies they looked at might not have been done as carefully as modern research standards require. Finally, these studies mostly measured blood sugar in controlled settings (like a lab), not in real life where people eat different foods together.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, eating barley as part of a meal may help prevent blood sugar from spiking too high right after eating (moderate confidence level). However, don’t expect it to fix blood sugar problems on its own or to help with long-term blood sugar control (low confidence level). If you have diabetes, pre-diabetes, or blood sugar concerns, talk to your doctor or a dietitian before relying on barley as part of your treatment plan. Barley can be part of a healthy diet, but it works best combined with other healthy habits like exercise and eating balanced meals.

People who are interested in managing blood sugar spikes after meals might find barley helpful. This could include people with pre-diabetes, people trying to prevent diabetes, or anyone wanting to eat healthier. However, people with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should avoid barley since it contains gluten. If you have diabetes and take medication, don’t change your diet without talking to your doctor first. People with normal blood sugar who just want to eat healthy can include barley in their diet, but shouldn’t expect major health changes.

The benefits of barley happen quickly—within 30 to 60 minutes of eating it. However, these benefits are temporary and only last about 2 hours. If you want to see if barley helps you personally, you’d need to eat it regularly for several weeks to notice any patterns. Long-term benefits (like improved blood sugar control over months) are unlikely based on this research.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track blood sugar readings (if you have a monitor) at 30, 60, and 120 minutes after eating meals with barley versus meals without barley. Note the type and amount of barley eaten, and compare the results over 2-3 weeks to see if you personally experience the blood sugar benefits shown in the research.
  • Add one barley-based food to one meal per day—such as barley in soup, barley bread, or barley cereal. Track how you feel after eating it (energy levels, hunger, cravings) and note any patterns. This helps you see if barley personally helps you manage hunger or energy after meals.
  • Over 4 weeks, keep a food diary noting when you eat barley and how you feel 1-2 hours later. If you have access to blood sugar monitoring, record readings at consistent times. Look for patterns in your energy, hunger, and mood to see if barley makes a personal difference for you, since individual responses vary.

This research summary is for educational purposes only and should not replace professional medical advice. The findings show short-term effects on blood sugar after meals, not long-term disease management. If you have diabetes, pre-diabetes, or take blood sugar medication, consult your doctor or registered dietitian before making significant dietary changes. Individual responses to barley vary, and this research doesn’t guarantee personal results. Always discuss new dietary interventions with your healthcare provider, especially if you have celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or other health conditions.