- 6 Brilliant Barley Benefits You Ought To Know About!
- 1. Provides Antioxidants
- 2. Provides Fibre
- 3. Helps Manage Diabetes (Type 2)
- 4. Supports Weight Loss
- 5. Aids Digestion
- 6. Reduces Cholesterol
Native to Europe and Asia, barley has a long history – it was among the first grains humans have grown. This humble whole grain also happens to have immense health value. In Ayurveda, it is considered a great food for those with Kapha aggravation, and it’s also quite good for those with Pitta. Here are some barley benefits you ought to know about.
6 Brilliant Barley Benefits You Ought To Know About!
1. Provides Antioxidants
Barley is a great source of lignans, a kind of antioxidant. Studies confirm that lignans are a powerful substance that reduces the risk of diseases such as cancer. They and promote a better balance of bacteria in the body and significantly reduce inflammation. So if you need to add more sources of antioxidants in your diet, Ayurvedic experts are likely to recommend barley.
2. Provides Fibre
Barley is popular among health experts as a high fibre grain. Just one cup of this grain contains around 6 grams of fibre. Now, that’s quite noteworthy. A large part of the fibre content is of the insoluble kind. Insoluble fibre has a host of health benefits such as better digestion (we’ll discuss that in just a moment), weight loss, diabetes type 2 control, cardiovascular health, and even prevention of colon cancer.
3. Helps Manage Diabetes (Type 2)
Next on the list of barley benefits is lower blood sugar levels. This is a great grain for those with diabetes type 2 since it reduces the speed at which your body releases sugar into blood. This reduces the harmful effects of carbohydrates on your blood sugar levels, thus supporting your efforts to control diabetes type 2. You might also be interested in these Ayurvedic remedies for diabetes.
4. Supports Weight Loss
Now popular among the benefits of barley is reduced fat. Adding barley to your weight loss diet might be a fantastic idea. This grain, as we mentioned, provides your body with loads of fibre. This fibre delays your next craving for food since it stays in your stomach for longer durations of time. It slows down the absorption of starch from food. Moreover, this food ranks rather low in terms of fat, sugar, calories, and cholesterol.
5. Aids Digestion
Next on the list of barley health benefits is improved digestion. Again, fibre is to thank. The high amounts of insoluble fibre smoothens bowel movement through the digestive tract. It also makes stool softer, thus being of great help to those with constipation. The fibre in barley also tackles diarrhoea. What’s more, barley also promotes better balance of bacteria in the gut. However, it’s important to note that barley contains gluten, which may not suit many people’s digestive systems.
6. Reduces Cholesterol
Did you know that barley can reduce cholesterol? Yet again, the fibre in this grain makes it possible. For those prone to heart problems, eating food rich in fibre is essential. Barley’s insoluble fibre reduces the absorption of bad cholesterol in the body. It also helps the body get rid of excess bad cholesterol. Research on the barley benefits for cholesterol has been rather promising so far.
Note: This article is solely for the purpose of sharing information. Please do not substitute it for professional medical advice. Before using anything as a medicine, always consult your doctor.
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