9 Health Benefits of Roasted Barley Tea

This tea also contains ingredients that can help promote sleep. Here's more...

Unlike regular tea, roasted barley tea does not contain any caffeine, which means, its consumption will not have any disruptive effects on sleep.

Had you been aware of the health benefits of roasted barley tea, you probably wouldn't have thought of drinking regular tea. Staple in Japanese and Chinese culture, this roasted-grain-based infusion offers a lot of nutritional bang for your buck.

The tea also boasts of a rich taste and a wonderful aroma that you would definitely relish. Following are the reasons why you need to incorporate this tea into your diet.

The tea is found to be high in antioxidants like curcumin, quercetin, and catechins, that help prevent age-related health problems. Nutrients like vitamin C, vitamin E, and selenium, that are present in this tea, also display antioxidant capacity. It also contains B vitamins, and other essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus.

A study published in the December 2006 edition of the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry observed that the beverages made from roasted barley are effective against Streptococcus mutans, (S. mutans) bacteria responsible for causing tooth decay. These beverages tend to inhibit bacteria from sticking on the tooth enamel.

Research
In a study (carried out by Italian researchers), it was observed that barley coffee that contains 100% ground roasted barley (and is caffeine-free), and was able to inhibit accumulation of S. mutans on the saliva-coated surface of hydroxyapatite (HA) beads.

Hydroxyapatite is a mineral dominantly found in tooth enamel; hence, was used in the study as a substance that emulates the properties of tooth enamel.

The study was implemented in two different ways. In the first case, HA beads pretreated with barley were exposed to bacteria, and in the second case, HA beads were exposed to bacteria and barley coffee at the same time. In either case, bacterial suppression was noted substantially.

However, the study did not produce the same result when it was carried out with a beverage made from unroasted barley.

Melanoidin, an antioxidant generated during the roasting of barley, showed anti-adhesive activity against these pathogens.

The study suggests that having beverages made from roasted barley can be helpful to inhibit proliferation of bacteria on tooth surfaces. No wonder it is often advised to avoid mixing sugar in barley tea, as the addition of sugar is likely to nullify the anti-cavity effect of the tea.

Fiber, as we know, is crucial in maintaining bowel irregularity. With a cup containing as many as 3.0 g of dietary fiber, its regular consumption can work wonders to promote healthy bowel functioning.

Drinking this tea can also help counteract acidity, as it has a high pH. High pH foods are alkaline foods, and their intake is often recommended to treat stomach acidity issues. Considered a natural antacid, the tea may provide relief from heartburn. Known to aid digestion, it may also assist in relieving an upset stomach that is typically marked by bloating and gas.

According to the Japanese, this tea helps in purifying the blood by eliminating all the toxins that are absorbed in the bloodstream. They believe that it acts as a natural blood cleanser, and consider it as a traditional tool for detoxification.

A study published in the April 2002 edition of 'Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology' observed that intake of 250 ml of roasted barley tea increased blood fluidity, meaning, the blood flows much more easily through the blood vessels.

Low blood fluidity, that causes resistance to easy blood flow, has been linked to increase in blood cholesterol or blood triglyceride levels. The study suggests that having this tea regularly may help in preventing sluggish blood, and in fact contribute in increasing blood circulation, which is necessary to maintain a healthy body.

As simple as drinking a cup of roasted barley tea can be helpful in relieving chest congestion associated with common cold, bronchitis, and asthma. It is said to loosen mucus build-up, which promotes its drainage and makes breathing easier.

Melatonin, a hormone, and tryptophan, an amino acid, are present in the tea, and play a very important role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle. In simple words, these ingredients help in inducing sleep. So, drinking this tea will not only make you fall asleep faster, but also ease sleep disorders like insomnia.

Roasted barley tea is a good source of selenium, with a cup offering 9.9% of daily recommended intake of selenium. The deficiency of this trace mineral has been linked to male infertility. So, having this tea regularly may contribute in boosting male fertility.

On the whole, the tea does offer health-promoting benefits. So a cup of roasted barley tea a day can go a long way in improving overall well-being.