What
are the benefits of barley water?
1. Fiber boost
2. Lowers cholesterol
3. Helps balance gut bacteria
4. Lowers blood sugar levels
5. Encourages weight loss
Barley
water is made from barley, which is believed to be one of the oldest grains in
the world. Although it is not a staple of most American diets, there is growing
evidence that barley and barley-based foods have a variety of health benefits.
In
this article, we look at the evidence behind the many health claims about
barley, as well as its nutritional value. We also list steps on how to make
barley water at home
The health benefits of barley water
include:
Barley water is an excellent source of fiber,
which helps to keep the digestive system healthy.
Many of barley's health benefits come
from it being an excellent source of dietary fiber. Fiber is essential for
keeping the digestive system healthy, contributing to healthy bowel movements,
and helping people avoid problems such as constipation.
Researchers have linked a diet high in
dietary fiber to a reduced risk of developing some chronic diseases. For
example, people who eat plenty of fiber have a lower risk of
developing cardiovascular disease.
Barley is a soluble fiber, meaning it
can dissolve in water and provides the body with useful energy. Fiber can also
be insoluble, meaning it passes through the digestive tract without breaking
down and does not provide the body with energy.
The American
Dietetic Association recommend that adult women eat 25 grams
(g) and adult men eat 38 g of dietary fiber every day. Most people in the
United States do not meet this target, so barley may be an easy way for people
to increase their intake.
In addition to its high fiber content,
barley also contains a mix of beneficial vitamins and minerals.A 2010 analysis of clinical trials found
that barley may reduce the level of LDL or "bad" cholesterol in
the blood.
While the results varied depending on
the participant's overall health and the doses and quality of barley used, the
author's concluded that eating or drinking barley products can be considered
part of a plan to reduce total and LDL cholesterol.
The balance of natural gut bacteria
plays an essential role in keeping a person healthy. Studies have shown that
consuming barley-based foods leads to a reduction of a gut bacteria called bacteroides.
While these bacteria are not usually a
threat, they are the most common species found in anaerobic infections, which
occur after an injury or trauma. These infections can affect the abdomen,
genitals, heart, bones, joints, and the central nervous system.
Barley-based foods have been shown to
help boost the number of beneficial bacteria prevotella in the gut.
These bacteria have been shown to help lower blood sugar levels for up to 11–14 hours.
Keeping blood sugar levels in check can
help reduce the risk of type 2
diabetes. It can also help those who have diabetes manage their
blood glucose levels.
Barley prompts the body to release
hormones that regulate appetite by making the person feel fuller for longer.
These hormones may also boost the metabolism, which can contribute to weight
loss
How to Make It?
Place the barley in a sieve and
rinse under cold water until water runs clear.
Place barley in a 2-quart
saucepan with grated lemon zest and 6 cups of water.
Bring to a boil over medium heat.
...
Add honey to bowl and stir to
dissolve.
How many glass barley water we need to take per day
Because of this high calorie content, you shouldn't drink more than two servings of unstrained barley water
per day. When barley water is strained, or when barley grass is boiled into
a tea, the drink has far less calories, but also less fiber, which is the
source of many of its benefits
Is
barley water good for urinary infection?
Drinking barley water, on the other hand, also induces
increased urination which means it flushes out the toxins in the body. Barley
water is hence the best medicine when you have a Urinary Tract Infection. Boil
a table spoon of barley seeds in a litre of water
How
many calories are in barley water?
Barley water made from a cup of raw barley (serving size of
200 grams) contains 704 calories. That may seem a lot but of the 704 calories,
only 19 come from fat. More than half of the calorie content comprises complex
carbohydrates. The water also contains 20 gm protein and only 2 grams of sugar
Is barley water good for kidney infection?
It plays
a key role in nourishing our kidneys and keeping them healthy,
which is essential for preventing different urinary tract issues including the
recurrence of kidney stones. Drinking barley water helps
in cleansing the kidneys by flushing all sorts of toxic
materials out of the body through urine
How long should I boil barley water?
Bring
water and barley (and candied wintermelon, if using) to a boil in a saucepan
and then reduce the heat and let simmer for 30 minutes to an
hour, until the grains are cooked and softened. Add more water if needed
As a cleanser- Make a powder of some barley in a food processor.
Mix a tsp of the powder with some milk or water and wash your face with it
everyday. It is effective in controlling acne and also in toning the skin.
Barley Face Pack- Make a paste of barley flour with lemon juice and
apply this paste on the skin. Leave it to dry before washing it off. The face
pack, when used regularly, regulates the sebum production in the skin. It also
helps in lightening the skin tone.
Barley water for skin- Drinking barley water and
topically applying it on acne regularly helps in putting an end to acne. The
azelaic acid in barley controls inflammation and clogged pores and naturally
treats acne.