By: Clover Chang, U.S. Grains Council Director in Taiwan

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) has made progress this year towards encouraging U.S. barley’s food application for diabetics and coronary heart disease patients in Taiwan. This program is part of an ongoing effort to promote U.S. barley containing beta-glucan as part of a heart-healthy lifestyle.

This type of barley has the lowest glycemic index among grains and, according to U.S. research, can help reduce cholesterol. These two factors could make U.S. barley part of a healthy diet for those living with diabetes.

To promote these health claims in Taiwan, the Council has formed partnerships with Soon Hong Nature & Organic Foods Store, the Nutrition Society of Taiwan (NST) and the Taiwanese Association of Diabetes Educators (TADE).

Already, the owner of local health store Fei-Gin Chang has indicated that he has a list of more than 500 organizations and groups that are working to improve the lives of people affected by diabetes. He has told the Council he plans to reach out to these organizations to introduce the advantages of eating high beta-glucan barley with USGC literature and other sources. He hopes this effort will benefit his customers and help him sell whole grain barley flour, whole grain barley flake and barley steamed bread at his store.

With an estimated 1.6 million people in Taiwan suffering from diabetes, this promotion of U.S. barley to them as part of a healthy diet could lead to a significant increase in the consumption of barley-based foods.

Click here to read past Global Update articles about the Council’s U.S. barley promotion in Taiwan.