Barley is a simple grain which most of us have in our pantries, yet very few of us know its many

health and beauty benefits. Barley is relatively low in , high in fiber, and packed with vitamins
and nutrients. Hulled barley is especially beneficial, due to its bran content.

Here are 29 amazing health and beauty benefits of barley:

A. Health Benefits:

1. 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.

Harvard researchers studied the effects of consuming a grain breakfast on a daily basis. This
study found, over a period of 19 years, that men who enjoyed a daily morning bowl of whole
grain cereal had a 29% lower risk of heart failure. Not bad for a simple grain!

2. 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.

Barley, compared to other grains, is low in calories and at the same time it makes a satisfactory
meal, helping you feel full longer, so you don’t need to eat as frequently.

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. Reduces Visceral Fat.

A Japanese study followed 44 men with high cholesterol and found that adding barley to their
diet significantly reduced serum cholesterol and visceral fat, known contributors to
cardiovascular risk.

9. 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.

10. Inhibits Formation of Gallstones.

Barley helps reduce levels of triglycerides. Some may avoid gallstones with an increased intake
of Barley. Also, barley is rich in insoluble fiber. There is a hypothesis that insoluble fibre reduces
the secretion of bile acid which contributes to gallstone formation.

11. Indispensable for Woman.

 UK researchers looked at how fiber intake affects pre-menopausal women. They found that a
diet rich in fiber from whole grains, such as barley, offered up to a 50% reduction in breast
cancer.

Yet another study looked at postmenopausal women and showed a reduction in risk of 34% for
breast cancer in women who consumed whole grains, such as barley.

12. Barley Grass Juice is Great for Digestion.

Barley grass juice helps digestive juices work harder. It increases your metabolism and makes
you feel lighter. It is especially beneficial for people who feel bloated.

13. Improves Immunity.

Barley is rich in plant lignans, which are good for friendly flora in your intestines. In turn, barley
supports your immunity.

Additionally, barley is high in vitamin C, which also supports your immune system. Barley makes
you feel full, satisfied, and relaxed.

14. Helps to Prevent Osteoporosis.

Barley and barley grass contains manganese, phosphorus, and copper, which are good for
healthy bones. Barley juice is very high in calcium, making your bones stronger.

15. Promotes Optimal Health.

Fiber in barley minimizes the amount of time food stays in your colon. In addition, it is a good
source of selenium, which has been shown to reduce the risk of colon cancer. Selenium is an
essential component for thyroid health. It is also an antioxidant defense and an immune builder.
Selenium has also been shown to repair damaged cells in the body.

16. Helps to Cure Anemia.

The iron contained in barley increases the blood volume, which prevents anemia and fatigue.

17. Slows Arteriosclerosis.

Barley slows atherosclerosis, which is the plaque build-up that narrows blood vessels. It is a
good source of vitamin B (niacin). Niacin may help prevent free radicals, while reducing bad
cholesterol and blood clots.

18. Supports the Kidney.

Barley facilitates proper kidney function.

19. Healthy Bones.

Barley and barley grass contains phosphorus and copper which are good for the overall health
of bones. Barley juice is much higher in calcium than milk.

20. Healthy Teeth.

Barley is rich in phosphorus, calcium, and Vitamin C. These are great contributors to healthy
bones and teeth. Barley juice especially, is high in calcium. It also contains manganese,
phosphorus, and copper which are good for your bones and teeth.

Beauty Benefits of Barley:

21. Contributes to Healthy Skin.

Barley is packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and minerals. All these are excellent for your skin.
It has been proven to reduce inflammation in the body. You know the expression: healthy body,
healthy skin.

22. Has Healing Properties.

Barley is rich in zinc, which promotes healing.

23. Improves Skin Elasticity.

Barley is rich in selenium. Selenium preserves skin elasticity. Selenium also improves many
functions in your body, which are often reflected by your skin.

24. Creates Pleasant Skin Tone.

Barley tightens skin and eliminates toxins, making your skin silky and pleasantly toned.

25. Has Anti Aging Properties.

The antioxidants in barley help make you look younger. Barley helps to eliminate toxins from the
body, giving you the appearance of younger and healthier skin.

26. Healthy Hair.

Nutritional deficiencies are often reflected in your hair. Barley contains vital minerals, vitamins,
and antioxidants needed for the production of healthy hair.

27. Promotes Hair Growth.

Barley is rich in nutrients and minerals such as thiamin, niacin, and Procyanidin B-3. These
promote and stimulate hair growth.

28. Combats Hair Loss.

Barley contains iron and copper. It enhances production of red blood cells, and reduces hair
loss.

29. Restores Hair Color.

The Copper in barley helps create pigment for hair color.

Bringing Benefits of Barley to Your Table:

You Can Increase Your Barley Consumption In More Than One Way:

1. Make a tasty breakfast porridge.

2. Use barley flour for baking.
3. Add barley to your soups, stews, and salads.
4. Use barley malt as a sweetener.
5. Choose barley pasta.
6. Add barley powder to your smoothie.
7. Try barley grass juice.