Foods designed for blood sugar regulation - for sustainable prevention of type 2 diabetes.

This project is about a new food concept offering glucose management throughout the day with potential to prevent and support the management of type 2 diabetes. 1 out of 10 adults worldwide are suffering from diabetes.

The supply of ready-to-eat foods offering prevention could be one part of the solution of this global societal challenge.

Research show that certain barley kernels reduce the blood glucose response, not only at the meal it is eaten, but also at the following meals (up to 14 h after intake). It thus provides a stronger beneficial metabolic impact than conventional low glycemic index (GI) foods.

An enterprise partner has performed product development aiming to translate this research into a convenient, consumer-friendly food product made from especially processed barley kernels and IP-protected bioprocessed oat bran.When translating food research into commercial products there is a risk that industrial processing alters the microstructure, and thus the physiological effects of the food.

To ensure kept bioactivity clinical verification of the glycemic response will be evaluated in a human trial.

Characterization of the microstructures of the product will be conducted, comparing it prior to and after industrial processing.

A life cycle assessment of the product, connecting the nutritional/health beneficial values with its environmental impact is another important research outcome of this project. Additionally, detailed business and launch plans will be developed.