Barley is distinguished for containing important minerals and nutrients

The benefits of barley for the body

The health benefits of barley include:

Reducing blood pressure

Barley contains many nutrients that contribute to lowering blood pressure and maintaining it within its normal levels, and these elements include the following:

• Potassium.
• Calcium.
• Magnesium.

According to a study published in 2012, it was found that a diet rich in these nutrients is able to reduce high blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

The benefits of barley for pressure are also due to the fact that it contains dietary fiber, which contributes to maintaining blood pressure within its normal levels. According to a review published in 2018, it was found that eating 8.7 grams per day of soluble fiber, such as those found in barley, can contribute to Reducing blood pressure.

Maintaining a healthy heart

Whole grains, including barley, are closely linked to heart health, as it contains abundant amounts of potassium, in addition to folic acid and other types of B vitamins, all of which contribute to enhancing heart health and protecting it from various diseases and health problems.

A 2010 study of Polish residents aged 20-74 showed that folic acid and vitamin B6 in addition to vitamin B12 reduce blood levels of homocysteine, which is associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

Also, the benefits of barley are related to the heart, due to the contribution of eating it in reducing levels of harmful cholesterol and increasing beneficial cholesterol in the blood, because it contains the following:

Beta-glucan fiber: Consuming 3 grams of beta-glucan per day can reduce blood cholesterol levels by 5-10%, according to a study published in 2008.
Vitamin B3, or what is known as niacin, whose intake contributes to reducing total cholesterol levels and levels of lipoproteins.

Soluble fiber, whose fermentation in the intestines will produce short-chain fatty acids, which have a role in preventing the production of cholesterol in the body and lowering its levels in the blood.

Improve digestive health

Barley contains insoluble dietary fiber, which makes the benefits of barley for the body its contribution to improving digestion and preventing constipation. It also contains soluble fiber, which is an important food for beneficial bacteria in the intestines, which, when fed on these fibers, produce a type of fat called short-chain triglycerides, which help prevent many intestinal diseases, such as:

• IBS.
• Crohn's disease.
• Ulcerative colitis.

Also, the benefits of barley for the colon include its contribution to the prevention of colon and rectal cancer, due to the fact that it contains soluble dietary fiber, as it contributes to this by increasing the time spent by food in the intestine, in addition to its association with harmful compounds that increase the risk of cancer and rid the body of Of which.

Barley also contains a good percentage of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, the most important of which is selenium, phenolic acids, and saponins, which play a role in preventing colon cancer.

Maintaining blood sugar levels

The benefits of barley for diabetes include its contribution to lowering blood sugar levels in addition to stimulating insulin secretion, which can reduce the possibility of developing diabetes, due to the fact that it contains the following:

Fiber, including beta-glucan, which dissolves in water and forms a gel that stays in the stomach for a long time, slowing the absorption of sugar into the blood.
Magnesium, which plays an important role in the production of insulin in the body and the consumption of sugar by the various cells of the body.

Regarding the scientific evidence proving the benefits of barley for diabetics, the results of a 2013 study on patients with disorders in blood glucose levels showed that eating barley daily can contribute to a decrease in fasting glucose and insulin levels by between 9-13%, and this is what Barley can prove beneficial in lowering blood sugar levels.

Support bone and joint health

Barley is characterized by containing a group of minerals and nutrients important for bones. It contains zinc, which plays an important role in the process of mineral deposition in the bones, in addition to other minerals important for maintaining the strength of the skeleton, including:

• Copper.
• Calcium.
• Magnesium.
• Phosphorous.
• Manganese.

Barley can also contribute to relieving pain associated with arthritis, thanks to its copper content.

Prevention of gallstones

As we mentioned earlier, barley helps improve digestion because it contains insoluble fiber, and this can reduce the risk of gallstones, as the insoluble fiber in barley helps reduce bile secretion.

Among the scientific evidence of this benefit from the benefits of barley is a study published in 2004 in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, which lasted for 16 years, in which it was found that eating a diet rich in fiber can reduce the risk of developing gallstones by up to 17%.

Other benefits

Other benefits of barley for the body include:
Reducing the risk of asthma.
Prevention of anemia.
Support a healthy immune system and reduce inflammation.
Maintaining skin health and elasticity, because barley contains selenium.