Many people assume that the benefits of barley are just confined to digestive health. However, the fact is that it can reduce the risk of several other diseases as well. Here's more...
Barley is a cereal obtained form a specific type of grass, named Hordeum vulgare. Basically, barley grass is native to Ethiopia and Southeast Asia, where it has been cultivated for several thousands of years.
Today, it is also grown in many other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, France, Germany, etc. Since ancient times, barley has been used as food for humans, with the benefits of this grass known even in those times.
Barley Health Benefits
Barley's benefits are mainly owing to its nutritional components, that include vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, etc., which bring about a marked improvement in the overall health condition of the body. A few such important components of barley and its beneficial effects are given below:
Barley is a rich source of insoluble dietary fiber. This increases the roughage content of your food, which in turn helps in softening the stool and also adding bulk to it. For this reason, consumption of barley improves digestive health and reduces the chance of colon cancer and hemorrhoids. The insoluble fiber present in barley also prevents gallstones.
The fiber content of barley facilitates production of propionic acid. This acidic component plays a major role in controlling the activity of the HMG-CoA reductase enzyme, which is responsible for the production of cholesterol in the liver. This way it checks cholesterol levels in the blood, and protects the body from serious cardiovascular diseases.
Barley has an important phytonutrient component in it named lignans. Its antioxidant properties fight off free radicals really well and provide protection to the cells from its harmful effects. This promotes a healthy heart. Moreover, it also lowers the chances of breast cancer and many other forms of cancer that are hormone-related.
The magnesium content of barley is quite high. This reacts with the enzymes that control the blood sugar level in the body, and thus helps keep the glucose level in the body steady. This way it can control the occurrence of Type 2 diabetes to a great extent.
Barley supplies a good amount of copper to your body, which has the ability to reduce the intensity of the painful symptoms of inflammatory arthritis, like rheumatoid arthritis. It also combines with important enzymes of the body and increases the flexibility of stiff body joints, bones, and even blood vessels.
Another important mineral present in barley is phosphorus, which is an essential component of a cell's structure. It is also needed to form various compounds such as ATP and nucleic acids, which have a major role in various metabolic processes.
To yield maximum benefits, you have the option to use barley in many different forms. Barley grass contains the young leaves of the plant, which have a large amount of chlorophyll present in it. An additional barley grass benefit is that it detoxifies the body, and makes it free from toxins.
Barley tea benefits include relieving symptoms of common cold and fighting off urinary tract infections. If you do not like the taste of barley, then you can try out barley water. It has a great taste and is often used as a soft drink. It contains distilled barley, fruit juices, and sweeteners.
Barley water benefits are no less than any of its other forms. While the side effects of barley are yet unknown, those with gluten allergy should strictly avoid this cereal.