Barley Health Benefits, Nutrition and Seed Facts

Health Benefits of Eating Barley

• Promote Healthier Colon

  Barley contains high amount of dietary fiber, which provides food for good bacteria in the large intestine. The useful bacteria then ferment the insoluble fiber to produce butyric acid, which acts as an important fuel for your intestinal cells.
   

• Assist in Lowering Cholesterol

  The health advantage of dietary fiber in barley is also attributed to its ability to bind to bile acids and eventually removing them via the feces. This aid in reducing the cholesterol levels in the body.
   

• Wonderful Food for Weight Loss

  Losing weight could be another health purpose of consuming barley. Not only does the soluble fiber help cut down the cravings for food, barley is also a low-fat food that is great for the body fitness.
   

• Reduce the Risk of Diabetes

  Barley is a good source of magnesium, an essential mineral that functions as a co-factor for many enzymes in the body, especially those that regulate the use of glucose in the body and control the insulin secretion.
   

• Prevent Cancer

  The merits of barley also include the rich content of lignans. Scientific studies have found the compound to be effective in protecting human against hormone-related cancers including breast cancer.
   

• Relieve Rheumatoid Arthritis

  Barley is packed with an abundance of copper, which is crucial to improve the flexibility in bones, joints as well as blood vessels.
   

• Contain Selenium

  The body can use selenium to produce a variety of antioxidants that are capable of fighting free-radicals. The compound also plays a vital role to boost the immune system of the body.
   

• Protect against Cardiovascular Diseases

  Niacin or vitamin B3 is also one of the significant health properties in barley. Research has proven the effectiveness of the nutrient in preventing the oxidation of LDL. It also reduces the assembling of blood platelets, thereby avoiding blood clotting. 

Facts about Barley

Barley (scientific name Hordeum vulgare) is a nutritious, high-fiber, whole grain loaded with substantial health benefits. Just like brown rice, barley has a nutty flavor and chewy texture when cooked. While soup is the common method of preparing barley, you can cook it like rice or couscous. In Japan and Korea, barley is used to prepare roasted barley tea to cool the body down and to cleanse the body. 

Types of Barley

• Dehulled barley (hulless barley) -- unprocessed and needs longer time to cook
• Pearled barley (pearl barley) -- is the most common in stores.
• Quick cooking barley -- needs only 10 minutes to cook. 

How to cook barley:

Barley Nutrition Facts and Calories
 

Barley Recipe

Preparation:
In a saucepan, combine barley and water and bring to a boil. Let simmer for 30 minutes over low heat, then strain through a sieve into a jug. Add lemon rind and flesh, then cover and chill for at least 8 hours. Strain the liquid into a clean jar, add sugar and stir until fully dissolved. Serve chilled. 

Barley Side Effects

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