05/05/06 Barley health benefits, part two

Barley growers know all too well that demand for their crop is down lately. But that may be changing in the future. Research has led to a new focus on barley, a crop that dates back to 8000 BC. Doctor Joan Conway, a USDA human nutrition researcher says the Food and Drug Administration last December authorized the use of the barley health claim. CONWAY "For the role of beta glucan which is a soluble fiber found in barley in reducing the risk for cardiovascular disease." Conway touts barley fiber and its benefits to the colon. How can we get more barley into our diet? She talked about Canadian Nancy Ames teaming up with researchers at Texas A&M to create new barley food products. CONWAY "Tortillas out of barley and once you have tortillas out of barley you can tortilla chips out of barley. Quick cooking barley and it would be an alternative to rice or pilaf. Lots of different baked products that will come. Snack foods that would have a nutty flavor but not be nuts." Genesee grower Dan Mader is chairman of the Idaho Barley Commission. Mader says their focus now is to educate health professionals and consumers about the advantages of barley in the human diet. Voice of Idaho Agriculture Bill Scott