High fibre dished up with BARLEYmax

The world’s highest fibre wholegrain, developed by CSIRO, has been used in a food product for the first time in an effort to reduce risk factors for heart disease and stroke, promote bowel health and potentially fight the onset of diseases like bowel cancer and type 2 diabetes. (5:49)

15 September 2009 | Updated 2 May 2012

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According to the Public Health Association of Australia, the nation is in a ‘chronic disease crisis’ and simple yet effective dietary change is vital in the fight against chronic disease.

BARLEYmax™, the world’s highest fibre wholegrain, has been in development by CSIRO over the past 12 years and is now being marketed in a range of Australian-made breakfast cereals.

The first breakfast cereal products made with BARLEYmax™ will transfer the benefits of this new CSIRO grain to Australian consumers. BARLEYmax™ will deliver double the fibre content and four times the level of resistant starch, a type of fibre which promotes better bowel and digestive health.

In this podcast Dr David Topping, Chief Research Scientist with CSIRO’s Food Futures National Research Flagship, explains the science behind BARLEYmax™ and how further research is looking into the development of other enhanced wholegrains, such as wheat and rice.

National Research Flagships

CSIRO initiated the National Research Flagships to provide science-based solutions in response to Australia’s major research challenges and opportunities. The 10 Flagships form multidisciplinary teams with industry and the research community to deliver impact and benefits for Australia.