## 4 Discussion
Taking into account the previously mentioned parameters, the processing and baking of the \(\beta\)-glucan-enriched crackers might therefore provide possible explanations for our study outcomes, where no significant differences were observed between the control meal and functional meal 2 in the healthy participants due to the reduction of the \(\beta\)-glucan molecular weight and action; although, a possible protective effect was demonstrated in the lipid profiles after the high-carbohydrate and high-fat meal. Another important aspect to consider in the outcomes of the intervention studies is the frequency of administration and the dose of barley \(\beta\)-glucan. In order to affect bile acid secretion and exert its protective effect on glycemic and lipid profiles, the consumption of barley \(\beta\)-glucan-enriched foods is recommended several times daily [68; 69]. Furthermore, several postprandial studies have shown that a 50% decrease in the glycemic response can be estimated after the ingestion of 35 g of carbohydrates together with 5 g of \(\beta\)-glucans [69; 70]. The amount of \(\beta\)-glucan provided by the barley flour crackers enriched with \(\beta\)-glucan was 3 g in order to meet the daily dietary intake, i.e., the daily amount stated in the FDA health claim for blood lipid effects; therefore, because of the possibly small difference in soluble fiber between the intervention meals and the acute nature of our study, no significant changes were observed in the tested biochemical biomarkers. However, our results showed that barley \(\beta\)-glucan maintained the post-prandial lipid and glucose levels lower or close to the baseline values; therefore, a higher administered dose could possibly achieve a more substantial decrease. Therefore, in this study, the effect of the consumption of enriched wheat flour crackers on glucose, lipid, and antioxidant profiles may have been mainly due to the daily consumption of at least one healthy meal of the study cohort because of their healthy status; this fact may have overridden the effect of the grape seed polyphenols and barley \(\beta\)-glucanof the interventions. In conclusion, this study showed that wheat flour crackers enriched with either 10% grape seed flour or 40% barley flour with added \(\beta\)-glucan lowered glucose levels and retained lipid profiles close to baseline levels post-prandially, following the consumption of a high-carbohydrate and high-fat meal in healthy subjects. Even though the reductions were not significantly different from those of the group that consumed the wheat flour control crackers, enriched crackers could represent a healthy alternative, with a positive long-term effect on serum glucose and lipids, due to the higher fiber and polyphenol contents. Healthy and continuous changes in food habits could have a positive effect on glucose, lipid, and antioxidant profiles. One limitation of our study is the acute nature and the small sample size of the participants. Nevertheless, we were able to detect lower postprandial glucose, triglyceride, and LDL levels after the functional meals compared to the control meal. Thus, it is conceivable that the beneficial effect of the barley crackers enriched with \(\beta\)-glucan consumption could be even greater and more evident with a larger sample size. Although further studies with more volunteers are needed, our study demonstrated the benefits of the acute consumption of crackers containing grape seed or barley flour with added \(\beta\)-glucan and the possible role of these flours on glucose and lipid metabolism, which would contribute to decreasing the risk of type 2 diabetes. The discrepancies between our findings and those of previous reports concerning the effects of enriched cracker supplementation might be explained by the dosage of the grape seed and barley flours used, the acute nature of the intervention, and the study participants.