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In this study, we explored possibilities to develop low glycaemic-index foods from barley (Hordeum vulgare – Hv). Barley has a potential to suppress postprandial blood glucose levels, possibly because of its high content of β-glucan (BG). BG content is particularly high in Hordeum vulgare Subsp. spontaneum (Hs), which is the wild ancestor of cultivated barley. Increasing amylose content in starch is another way to decrease the glycaemic index of a starch-rich-food. Therefore, a recently developed Amylose-only barley grain (AO) containing a 99% amylose starch was included. Two in vitro gastro-intestinal models were used to predict glycaemic indices (pGIs). Grains and bread from Hs and AO showed lower pGIs as compared to Hv. The low pGI value of AO was due to the resistant starch. The low pGI of Hs barley grains was caused by increased viscosity of the digesta. A simulated colon was used to predict potential effects on microbiota.

This study compares in vitro and in vivo models of lipid digestion from almond particles within a complex food matrix (muffins) investigating whether the cell-wall barrier regulates the bioaccessibility of nutrients within this matrix. Muffins containing small (AF) or large (AP) particles of almond were digested in triplicate using an in vitro dynamic gastric model (DGM, 1 h) followed by a static duodenal digestion (8 h). AF muffins had 97.1 ± 1.7% of their lipid digested, whereas AP muffins had 57.6 ± 1.1% digested. In vivo digestion of these muffins by an ileostomy volunteer (0–10 h) gave similar results with 96.5% and 56.5% lipid digested, respectively. The AF muffins produced a higher postprandial triacylglycerol iAUC response (by 61%) than the AP muffins. Microstructural analysis showed that some lipid remained encapsulated within the plant tissue throughout digestion. The cell-wall barrier mechanism is the main factor in regulating lipid bioaccessibility from almond particles.