Barley is one of the oldest cultivated plants globally and has been the primary food of animals and humans. The scientific name of barley is Hordeum vulgare L. It is a cereal plant species in the Hordeum genus and Poaceae family.1 Hordeum vulgare, or cultivated barley, is primarily farmed for animal feed, particularly for pigs, malting and brewing in beer production, distillation in whisky production and food.2
Barley comes in several varieties, each having various grains per spike, ranging from summer to winter barley. Due to the poor quality of the grain, winter barley is mainly used in animal feed. The green barley essence is made by dehydrating fresh green barley juice at low temperatures, which keeps the enzymes active. Barley has additional importance as it may have potential properties that may be helpful in various health conditions. 1
Did you know?
The nutritional value of barley is:
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Carbohydrate (%) | 57.9 ± 5.1 |
| Dietary ï¬bre (%) | 29.5 ± 15.5 |
| Protein (%) | 27.3 ± 4.3 |
| Fat (%) | 4.57 ± 1.31 |
| Vitamin A (mg/100 g) | 20.5 ± 4.7 |
| Vitamin B1 (mg/100 g) | 0.61 ± 0.40 |
| Vitamin B2 (mg/100 g) | 1.56 ± 0.65 |
| Vitamin B3 (mg/100 g) | 7.18 ± 7.39 |
| Vitamin B6 (mg/100 g) | 1.12 ± 0.97 |
| Vitamin B12 (mg/100 g) | 1.16 ± 0.26 |
| Vitamin C (mg/100 g) | 251.6 ± 239.1 |
| Vitamin E (mg/100 g) | 15.0 ± 14.1 |
| Sodium (mg/100 g) | 328.2 ± 288.4 |
| Calcium (mg/100 g) | 479.4 ± 172.5 |
| Phosphorus (mg/100 g) | 380.4 ± 60.7 |
| Chromium (mg/100 g) | 0.14 ± 0.06 |
| Copper (mg/100 g) | 1.66 ± 1.25 |
| Sulphur (mg/100 g) | 305.5 ± 6.4 |
| Iron (mg/100 g) | 23.3 ± 10.1 |
| Magnesium (mg/100 g) | 183.2 ± 46.0 |
| Manganese (mg/100 g) | 3.94 ± 1.56 |
| Molybdenum (mg/100 g) | 0.048 ± 0.006 |
| Potassium (mg/100 g) | 3384 ± 649 |
| Zinc (mg/100 g) | 3.43 ± 1.36 |
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Additionally, I recommend those who wish to increase their consumption of fibre do so gradually. This is due to the possibility that adding a lot of fibre from barley to the diet all at once may produce short-term digestive issues, such as bloating, while the body adjusts to the dietary change.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, MD
Various potential properties of the barley plant are listed below.
Barley might have the following potential uses.
Barley grass powder contains a high amount of gamma-aminobutyric acid (a brain chemical), calcium, potassium, and tryptophan (amino acid). It is a very good functional food and might also be a sleep promoter. Barley grass powder has a higher gamma-aminobutyric acid, calcium, and potassium concentration than polished rice. Polished rice or wheat flour and barley and their products might be effective foods for better sleep in individuals.3 However, more research is required to prove it.
Barley and its extract might scavenge oxygen free radicals and may be helpful for diabetes. Its dietary fibre might help lower fasting blood sugar and blood glucose levels. Flavonoids in barley might help people with diabetes with their post-meal blood glucose levels.3
Fasting blood sugar and glycated haemoglobin might be reduced by barley grass powder. Under stress, polyamines in barley cells may increase and might have an insulin-like effect.3 However, conditions like diabetes must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Kindly consult a doctor and do not self-medicate.
Literature suggests that whole grains high in viscous soluble fibre, such as barley, are more successful than other grains in decreasing blood lipids. The delayed intestinal absorption of lipids is one of the proposed mechanisms of cholesterol reduction after eating barley. Additionally, cholesterol absorption and reabsorption might be inhibited. The capacity of barley to increase the viscosity of the intestinal contents might be the cause of its potential lipid-lowering effects.4
Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels might be reduced by barley grass powder, whereas high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels might increase. Probably by lowering cholesterol production, hexacosanol in barley leaf may enhance cholesterol metabolism.3 Fat, polysaccharides, protein, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols are all found in barley sprouts, and they all might have a lipid-lowering effect.3
Green barley may help with atherosclerosis by potentially helping with lipid metabolism and resisting lipid peroxidation.3 However, further research is required to ascertain these statements.
Barley grass might help lower blood uric acid and may have several health benefits for humans related to faeces metabolism, lipid metabolism, liver function, and antioxidant system. A fermented barley extract might help reduce the uric acid in the condition of gout (a form of arthritis). A fermented barley extract might boost urine excretion and may help lower the serum uric acid.3 However, these claims are yet to be proved by further research.
The polysaccharide content of young barley leaves may be helpful for immunomodulation as well as a macrophage (a type of white blood cell) stimulatory function.3 However, these effects need scientific backing. Therefore, kindly do not self-medicate.
The potential liver protective activity of barley sprouts containing abundant flavonoid was tested on an animal model that exhibited inhibition of inflammatory response. In in-vitro and in-vivo experiments, a flavonoid in barley sprouts showed potential liver protective and antioxidant effects against liver injury.3 However, conditions related to the liver must be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Kindly consult a doctor.
The antidepressant potential of young barley leaf has been studied. It might help regulate the brain levels of nerve growth factors (insulin-like protein, which regulates the growth and development of neurons).
Barley contains vitamins and minerals that might help with stress-related psychiatric problems, maybe even depression. Barley green leaves, rich in vitamins and minerals might show memory-enhancing effects.3 More research is required to prove these effects.
By activating the gut system and decreasing the pH, young barley leaf powder with water-insoluble dietary fibre may increase faecal volume and laxative activity. Barley may be helpful for ulcerative colitis, pancreatitis, and other gastrointestinal tract problems.3
By stimulating the growth of probiotics, a germinated barley foodstuff might help ulcerative colitis. According to animal studies, selenium-rich barley might have a positive effect on stomach ulcers.3 In drug-treated rats, the dietary fibre of germinated barley may help constipation by causing the proliferation of colonic crypts (glands in the colon).3 However, it needs more scientific backing.
The combined effects of high alkalinity, a powerful antioxidant, phytochemicals, flavonoids, and chlorophyll in barley might hinder cancer cell development. The phytochemical combinations of barley might be helpful against breast cancer.3
Green barley extract might exhibit anticancer potential due to its possible antiproliferative and cell-killing effects in human leukaemia (white blood cell cancer), lymphoma (lymphatic system cancer), and breast cancer cells.3 Further research is required in this field. Moreover, cancer must be properly diagnosed and treated by a doctor. Therefore, kindly consult a doctor.
Barley is one of the most stress-tolerant crops producing tocopherol, glutathione, and succinate in its flag leaf. Flavonoids found in barley grass have potent antioxidant properties that might help diseases induced by oxidative stress, such as inflammation, cancer, and cardiovascular disease.3
Barley leaves extracted with methanol and ethanol could be alternative synthetic antioxidants in the food industry.3
Antioxidants present in barley may help with cardiovascular ailments. Barley may help avoid thrombosis (blocking of blood vessels due to blood clots) and cardiovascular disease by improving blood viscosity and flow.3 Kindly consult a doctor as the diseases of the heart must be properly diagnosed and treated by a specialist.
Flavones found in barley might have anti-hypoxia (deficient oxygen supply to tissues) and anti-fatigue properties in humans. According to animal studies, the barley seedling might positively affect fatigue in mice, particularly during tiring swimming and anti-anoxic time (total oxygen level depletion), reducing blood glucose and stomach ulcers.3 More human research is required.
Fermented barley extract and gamma-aminobutyric acid combination may have some positive effects on atopic dermatitis (red and itchy skin). Possibly by regulating the lymphocyte balance in an animal model.3 However, more research is required.
In health and disease, calcium homeostasis is critical for physiological and pathophysiological reasons. Osteoporosis might be positively affected by barley due to its higher calcium content.3
Though there are studies that show the potential uses of barley in various conditions, these are insufficient and there is a need for further studies to establish the true extent of the benefits of barley on human health.
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Barley Grass is incredibly alkalizing, strong in vital vitamins and minerals, and a great source of chlorophyll, a substance that helps plants turn sunlight into energy. Chlorophyll has the potential to bind to and wash out hazardous compounds and heavy metals. When it is consumed, it may release a flow of oxygen into circulation, detoxifying the body of damaging poisons and impurities. With the ability to regenerate damaged cells and tissues, barley grass may protect against radiation and cellular harm. Since it is such a strong cleaner, I advise beginning gradually to avoid the side effects from the detox including headaches, rashes, and nausea. This is a typical occurence and brought on by the tissue’s and cell’s discharge of poisons.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
Barley can be used as:
You must consult a qualified doctor before taking any herbal supplements. Do not discontinue or replace an ongoing treatment of modern medicine with an ayurvedic/herbal preparation without consulting a qualified doctor.
Barley might have side effects which need to be further explored by more research. Therefore, do not use it without an Ayurvedic physician’s advice.
The safety of barley in pregnant and breastfeeding women has not been studied. Therefore, it should only be taken under the supervision and advice of a physician. Likewise, no research has been done on the safety of barley in children.
There is not much information available on how barley interacts with other medications. Hence, one should consult a doctor before taking barley if they take any other drug or supplement.
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It might be helpful for diabetes. The dietary fibre and flavonoids in barley might help lower the fasting blood sugar and blood glucose levels in diabetic patients.3 Please consult a doctor. Do not self-medicate.
Barley can be eaten in various forms like barley grass powder, barley biscuits, barley bread,barley water,barley tea, barley flour,and barley broth.5,6
Barley might be helpful for weight loss. Fats, polysaccharides, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and polyphenols are all found in barley sprouts and it might have a lipid-lowering effect.3
Barley might be helpful for anaemia, cystitis, rheumatism, diarrhoea, cough, haemorrhoids, flu, depression, dermatological conditions, inflammation, nausea, mouth sores, digestive problems, elevated blood sugar levels, low immunity, acne, cancer, elevated lipid levels, gout, hyperuricemia, fatigue, hypoxia, and constipation.1,3 However, more research is required to prove the potential uses of barley for human health. Please consult a doctor before using it.
Water is usually added to the barley grains, and the entire mixture is boiled at a high temperature. The water is collected from the combination when it has cooled. This is known as barley water.5
No, gluten is a protein absent in barley.4
A by-product of the barley crop is barley tea. It comprises roasted kernels soaked in hot or cold beverages and then consumed as water with or without food. It has a delicious flavour and is very nutritious for humans.5
Barley grass might have properties like sleep-promoting, antidiabetic, blood pressure- lowering, immunity enhancing, liver-protecting, anti-acne, antidepressant, improving gastrointestinal function, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, antigout, hypoxia preventing. It is also used for managing cardiovascular diseases, fatigue, constipation, atopic dermatitis, and improving cognition.3 However, more research is required. Therefore, kindly consult a doctor.
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Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
In this uneven pandemic environment, everyone wants to stay healthy. Despite taking care, we may lack in something that leads us to land up in various diseases. We consume a lot of nutritional supplements. However, we need to focus more on natural sources of nutrients. Barley can be one of the best food to fulfil your nutrient requirements.
Barley is a wonderfully versatile cereal grain with a rich nut-like flavour and an appealing chewy, pasta-like consistency. It is an essential ingredient while making bread, soups, stews, and health products. It also acts as a source of malt for alcoholic beverages, especially beer. It is a cereal plant, scientifically known as Hordeum vulgare from the grass family Poaceae. It grows throughout the area of Western Asia and northeast Africa.
Barley water is more beneficial than other forms of barley. The ancient Greeks consumed kykeon, a drink made of water, barley and naturally occurring substances. Indian version of barley water is known as ”sattu” is extremely popular in Punjab. It is rich in various nutrients that help remove all toxins from your body by improving body metabolism.
Did you know?
Barley water is a drink made from water cooked with barley. Here is a simple recipe to make homemade barley water.
1 cup pearl barley, 7-8 cups of water, juice of 1 lemon, 1 tablespoon honey (optional), cinnamon stick, root ginger.
Boil the water along with the barley with a cinnamon stick and ginger. Let the pot simmer for at least 30 minutes and then let the water cook. Strain the concoction. Then you can mix lemon juice and honey (optional) for flavour.
Barley water can also be flavoured with various other concoctions, such as lemon juice and lemon rind.
For ages, barley proved beneficial for constipation. But did you know it may aid in diarrhoea as well? From my perspective, the total fibre included in barley has the potential to create bulk in the digestive tract and control bowel movements that may aid in preventing diarrhoea and constipation.
Dr. Smita barode, B.A.M.S, M.S.
Barley and its water is a rich source of essential nutrients as follows –
From my knowledge, barley water might be an aid in anaemia and fatigue. Barley is known as a rich source of iron. I recently read an article which suggests that iron helps to enhance blood volume.
Dr. Siddharth Gupta, B.A.M.S, M.D (Ayu)
Drinking barley water can do wonders for your health in various forms. The health benefits of barley water include:
Since barley is a rich source of dietary fibres, barley water can keep your digestion and metabolism balanced. It can also make you feel fuller for longer and reduce cravings. Barley water can help in weight loss because it digests slowly and keeps you fuller for longer. This is because barley water contains lots of calories, very little fat, and still hydrates you. Apart from that, barley water also stimulates the metabolism of fat.
Barley water is a magical drink for urinary tract infections. It works as a diuretic that increases urination and flushes out toxins from the body. Barley water is an excellent solution for kidney stones and cysts too. This drink is recommended in children and adult age groups daily till the urine infection subsides. t is also said to be a great remedy against kidney stones and cysts. Barley water benefits include its ability to cleanse the kidney and help treat health issues like high creatinine and cystitis.
Barley water is a beverage known since ancient times as a folk remedy or preventative for stomach and intestinal problems. According to Ayurveda, it is considered a digestive tonic that helps in facilitating the process of digestion. All digestive health benefits are due to the high amount of fibre in it. It is also a light beverage, easy on the stomach, and because it contains essential minerals, it aids in various body processes.
Barley water also helps to kill a certain harmful bacteria known as Bacteroides present in the stomach. In severe cases, these Bacteroides can even affect other organs of the body. Not only this, but since barley water is high in dietary fibre, it reduces the propensity of developing intestinal issues like constipation. Researchers have also found that consuming barley water for a prolonged period can to some extent help reduce the chances of contracting or developing cardiovascular diseases as well. Among other health benefits of barley water, it also helps cleanse the internal system of the body by flushing out toxins. This happens due to the beta-glucans which are present in the barley’s cell walls.
Barley water helps boost intestinal bacterial growth-prevotella, shown to help lower blood sugar levels for up to 11–14 hours. Drinking unsweetened barley water can give you the benefit of controlling blood sugar spikes. Antioxidants present in barley also help to control blood sugar.
Chemicals present in barley – tools, found to suppress LDL (bad) cholesterol and contribute to better overall cardiovascular health. The antioxidants and fibres present barely also help reduce cholesterol levels in the blood.
Not many people know that drinking barley water is good for your skin. It gives a glow to your face and makes it look healthy. It also improves your skin texture and adds freshness to it. Barley water also contains a compound called azelaic which can help treat mild to moderate acne. Barley water also has anti-ageing effects and helps fight radicals as it contains a high amount of antioxidants.
Barley water has also been known to lower blood pressure. High blood pressure has often been known to be one of the leading causes of the cardiovascular disease called atherosclerosis. Since barley water helps reduce and regularize blood pressure, it can effectively help reduce the onset of atherosclerosis.
Barley water has several health benefits for the body due to being nutrient-dense and is therefore considered the perfect health drink for pregnant women. It promotes healthy digestion, prevents the occurrence of constipation and can even help to reduce morning sickness. Most importantly, barley water has diuretic properties, which means it reduces water retention during pregnancy.
Let me tell you a secret! Barley may aid in gallstones. Yes, you read it right. I recently read an article and it suggests that by promoting the body’s bile and cholesterol metabolism, barley fibre potentially dissolves gallstones. From my perspective, because bile and cholesterol are the substances that cause gallstones to develop, barley fibre may work to inhibit the production of gallstones by metabolising these two substances.
Dr. Rajeev Singh, BAMS
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There are several benefits of barley water with numerous recipes on the internet to choose from. However, not all of them may be good for you. Some recipes may contain higher amounts of sugars and artificial sweeteners which hamper the health benefits of barley water derived. It is high in calories and excessive consumption of barley can lead to constipation due to its high fibre content. Barley contains gluten which also makes it unsuitable for those with gluten intolerance.
Barley water is a great way to ensure you are consuming adequate amounts of fibre, vitamins and minerals but excessive consumption can lead to unwanted side effects. To ensure that you are making the best use of your barley water, keep in mind that consumption should never be excessive and always in moderation.
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Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.
Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.
