Barley is a simple grain which most of us have in our pantries, yet very few of us know it’s many health and beauty benefits.
Barley is relatively low in calories, high in fiber, and packed with vitamins and nutrients and very beneficial, due to it’s bran content.
It is one of the most widely consumed grains in the American diet. This versatile grain has a somewhat chewy consistency and a slightly nutty flavor that can complement many dishes.
It’s also rich in many nutrients, ranging from improved digestion and weight loss to lower cholesterol levels and a healthier heart.
Here are 8 evidence-based health benefits of barley:
1. Helps you lose weight
Barley helps to reduce weight, partially because of several kinds of essential amino acids, and partially because of its fiber content. Barley modulates your blood sugar levels, thus avoiding the sugar peaks and drops usually associated with the fat storage process.
2. Great for breakfast
Barley is nutrient rich and makes a satisfactory meal. It is packed with fiber and essential minerals such as: selenium, copper, tryptophan, and manganese. It gives you energy and keeps you feeling satisfied for a good part of the day. The manganese in barley helps you to feel happy and energetic; it also calms your nervous system.
3. Helps to stabilize blood pressure
A five week long study compared different grain combinations; it showed that adults who increased their intake of barley experienced a reduction in blood pressure.
4. Reduces risk of cancer and heart disease
Barley is rich in plant lignans which protect against breast and other hormone-dependent cancers as well as heart disease. By reducing free radicals and visceral fat, and stabilizing the blood pressure, barley minimizes our chances for cancer and heart disease.
5. Reduces symptoms of Arthritis
Barley has copper, which may also be helpful in reducing the symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Copper disarms free radicals, thus helping cell regeneration. Copper is essential in cross-linking collagen and elastin, making bones and joints flexible.
6. Helps develop and repair body tissue
Barley is also rich in phosphorus which aids in cell regeneration. Phosphorus helps in forming bone. It is an essential building block of the genetic code and plays an important role in healthy cell membranes and our nervous system.
7. Great source of niacin
Barley is a great source of niacin (vitamin B) that provides numerous benefits to our cardiovascular system. Niacin can help reduce bad cholesterol, lipoprotein (a), and free radicals. It also lowers the risk of blood clots.
8. Lowers bad cholesterol
The propionic acid produced from barley’s insoluble fiber may also be partly responsible for its cholesterol-lowering properties. It lowers the activity of HMG-CoA reductase enzyme and helps lower blood cholesterol levels.
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