Can eating barley help fight the common cold? It is the first study of its kind to report that eating cooked, waxy barley reduces the severity and duration of upper respiratory tract infection episodes in otherwise healthy adults. Barley is a source of fiber known as beta-glucan, which can improve metabolic health and immune function. The research team from the National Agriculture and Food Research Organization in Japan recruited 54 adults who usually eat cooked white rice at least once a day to participate in the study.
Nearly two-thirds of the participants were women; the average age was 46 years, and the average body mass index was 20.6. The study participants were divided into two groups: A control group was given 100 grams of packed, cooked white rice, while the other group was given 100 grams of packed, cooked waxy barley.
The participants ate the rice or barley every day for eight weeks. During the study, the participants also completed questionnaires to assess their physical condition and mood. Throughout the trial, participants who consumed barley reported decreases in scores for poor health, plugged noses, and sneezing.
They also experienced fewer runny noses and felt less tired. While these improvements were not statistically significant, the researchers noted that “scores for all symptoms were reduced in the barley group.” Additionally, those who ate barley reported overall better mood.
According to the daily questionnaires, they experienced less anger-hostil.