Listen up pasta lovers; new spaghetti is hitting the shelves with claims of being nutritious. Consumers could soon see packages of pasta labeled “good source of dietary fiber” and “may reduce the risk of heart disease” at the grocery store. The claims will be put on spaghetti that’s made with barley, a grain known for giving beer flavor.
The new super food
Vito Verardo, Ana Maria Gómez-Caravaca and colleagues explain that barley, a grain that is an excellent source of fiber and antioxidants, is gaining interest as an ingredient in so-called “functional foods.”
“It’s a genre of foods that are supplemented with healthful additives,” a statement said. “The functional foods craze began in Japan in the mid-1980s and caught on around the world with health-conscious consumers, creating a fast-growing industry that is expected to reach over $176 billion by 2013.”
Barley’s claim to fame
Believe it or not, this grain is actually gaining popularity. It might not grace the cover of magazines, but it’s popular none the less. This grain is known to kick your digestive system into shape and improve your cholesterol. And that’s not all. Studies have shown barley can help prevent heart disease.
A study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine confirms that eating high fiber foods, such as barley, helps prevent heart disease. Almost 10,000 American adults participated in this study and were followed for 19 years. People eating the most fiber, 21 grams per day, had 12% less coronary heart disease (CHD) and 11% less cardiovascular disease (CVD) compared to those eating the least, 5 grams daily.
The barley fad joins other nutrients like soy and flaxseed that are providing organic alternatives to some medications.
Don’t over indulge
Who wouldn’t want to eat pasta that can do all that? Still doctors suggest eating pasta in moderation. While it has some healthy benefits, it does come with a good dose of calories so doctors warn pasta lovers not to go too crazy.
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