Health Benefits of Barley - The Nutritious Grain

Barley is said to be the oldest of all cultivated grains and has been the principal bread plant among the ancient Hebrews, Greeks and the Romans. The Latin name for barley is Hordeum vulgare. Barley is said to have originated in Ethiopia and Southeast Asia where it has been cultivated for more than 10,000 years. It is part of the grass family and is a common staple in human and animal diets. Barley is rich in starch and sugar and low in fat and protein. Barley is a very good source of both soluble and insoluble fiber and selenium. It’s also a good source of phosphorus, copper, and manganese. Barley can be easily grown and is one of the most popular cereal crops. It is a short-season, early maturing crop. However, it is not a crop suitable for the subtropical regions. It is usually harvested in about 200 days after germination, when the shoots are less than a foot tall. In structure the barley grain resembles wheat and oats. The grains of barley usually range from black to violet, but most of them are of a maize hue. There are two basic types of Barley which are classified based on the number of rows of grain seen when the heads of the stalks are viewed from above. They are

• 2-row barley
• 6 Six-row barley

According to Islam, Prophet Muhammad is said to prescribe this grain for 7 diseases. Some of the commercial producers of barley are Canada, United States, Germany, France, Spain and Russia.

Health Benefits of Barley

Barley has numerous health benefits. It is known for its ability to help alleviate diabetes, high cholesterol and obesity. It is also effective against diseases like atherosclerosis, diabetes, insulin resistance etc. Given below are some of the benefits.

• Barley is low in fat and is known to reduce craving some kinds for food and therefore very useful to those who want to lose weight. It acts as an appetite suppressant making people feel like they have eaten more than they really have.
• Barley is high is soluble fiber and can reduce blood cholesterol and blood glucose levels. It helps in reducing the cholesterol level in the body as the dietary fiber in barley binds to bile acids and helps dispose them through the feces. Consuming Barley is said to soothe and calm the bowels. Dietary fiber in Barley is helpful in making your digestive system run smoothly and maintaining a healthy colon. The friendly bacteria present in the large intestine ferment the insoluble fiber content of the barley to form butyric acid which functions as the main fuel for intestinal cells. The insoluble fiber in barley is also said to help women fight against the formation of gallstones.
• The Copper present in barley is known to be helpful in reducing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Copper helps in maintaining the flexibility in blood vessels, bones and joints.
• Barley is rich in niacin, which is highly effective in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases and blood clots.
• Barley is also good for persons suffering from diabetes and can take the place of normal food where rice is prohibited. Barley may be an even better breakfast choice than oats for persons with Type 2 diabetes. Consuming Barley is known to substantially reduce the risk of diabetes.
• Barley can prove to be extremely helpful in curing childhood asthma.
• It is Easy to digest and can be given to invalids.
• Barley is diuretic, brings clear urine and is useful in fevers. It can be used as a nutrient in cases of mucus colitis or simple diarrhea with fever.
• Barley contains Selenium which is helpful in preserving the elasticity of the skin and protects it from radical damage. It also has Manganese which works with the B complex vitamins and gives an overall feeling of well being.
• Barley grass is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It rich in vitamins A, C, B1, B2, folic acid,B12,calcium,iron, potassium and chlorophyll. It has been prescribed to fight diseases of the spleen or poor digestion. It has also been utilized to treat conditions such as depression or emotional imbalance. Barley grass is a powerful antioxidant that is believed to help the body kill cancer cells and overcome a variety of ailments, including acne and ulcers.

Uses of Barley

The primary uses of Barley are as animal feed, seed and for malt production. Apart from being the key ingredient in Beer and Whiskey, the uses for barley malt include extracts, syrups and flavorings. Barley is used as a thickening and flavoring agent in soups, stews, gravy, casseroles, baby foods, baked goods and ice cream. Barley can be used in recipes that need to rise by combining barley flour with wheat flour.