Governor Otter Supports Food Barley Health Benefits and Economic Opportunity

LEWISTON, Idaho--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter, alongside BGLife™ Barley, the Idaho Barley Commission and Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative gathered today to announce food barley is an emerging economic opportunity for Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. BGLife Barley is a new high beta-glucan (fiber) food barley variety that promotes healthy blood sugar, is proven to reduce cholesterol, promotes healthy blood pressure and helps control weight, all conditions associated with diabetes and heart disease.

“The opportunities look tremendous for this new type of food barley, both for export as well as for largely untapped domestic markets,” said Governor Otter. “From my vantage point, BGLife Barley is a tremendous win for regional farmers who have new value-added markets, and for our consumers, particularly those with heart and diabetic risk factors.”

Overseas market demand created an opportunity for the Idaho Barley Commission to collaborate with Pacific Northwest Farmers Cooperative of Genesee, Idaho to export BGLife Barley. Other Asian markets such as Taiwan are also interested in BGLife Barley to help improve the fiber content of their rice-based diets. The domestic market potential is also growing as Americans become more aware of food barley’s health benefits.

BGLife Barley’s patented varieties are the result of almost 30 years of agricultural research. They are derived from a natural selection process focused on obtaining a superior nutritional profile and a high concentration of beta-glucan (soluble fiber). The FDA approved a heart health claim for food barley in 2006.

“As a company we have the responsibility and obligation to educate the public about the many benefits of food barley and how they can help battle factors associated with diabetes such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar and obesity,” said Kevin Hodges, BGLife Barley Commercial Manager.

Type 2 diabetes poses one of the greatest health threats of the 21st century. According to the American Diabetes Association, 20.8 million Americans have diabetes; 6.2 million do not know they are afflicted, and 54 million Americans are pre-diabetic. Diabetes can be prevented with lifestyle interventions, such as eating a high-fiber diet and exercising regularly.

“Studies suggest that a healthy diet sufficient in soluble fiber beta-glucan from grain sources such as barley may help reduce the risk of Type 2 Diabetes,” said Frances Gough, M.D., co-founder and chief medical officer for Sound Health Solutions, a Redmond, Washington based weight and health risk management clinic.

More information is available at www.bglifebarley.com