Barley is versatile cereal grain with a rich nut like flavor and an appealing chewy consistency. Though it resembles wheat berries in its appearance, it is slightly lighter in color. Some of the benefits are.

1. Lowers Cholesterol

Beta glucan in barley helps to lower cholesterol by binding it to bile acids and removing them from the body. Bile acids are chemical compounds used to digest fat that cholesterol that is manufactured by the liver. So, the liver uses up more cholesterol, to manufacture new bile acids thus lowering the amount of cholesterol in circulation. Additionally, the propionic acid produced from barley's insoluble fiber has cholesterol-lowering properties.

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2. Protects Against Atherosclerosis

Coagulation or deposition of fatty materials like cholesterol on the the artery wall lead to atherosclerosis. Barley contains niacin (a B vitamin complex) that reduces the overall cholesterol and lipoprotein levels and minimizes cardiovascular risk factors. It importantly reduces the adhesive protein called apolipoprotein, which is more capable of attaching itself to blood vessel walls and lead to atherosclerosis.

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3. Helpful in Type 2 Diabetes

Barley is more effective in reducing both glucose and insulin responses than oats, simply because it has 4 times the soluble fiber of common oats. Barley grain has all the essential vitamins and minerals, particularly beta-glucan soluble fiber, that slows down glucose absorption. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented by losing weight, exercising and including abundant whole grains in our diet. Thus, high fiber foods like barley in the daily diet of diabetic patients are extremely helpful.

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4. Promotes Optimal Health with Selenium

Selenium is an essential component of several major metabolic activities in the body, including thyroid hormone metabolism, antioxidant defense systems, and immune function. Selenium induces DNA repair and synthesis in damaged cells, to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, and to induce their self-destruction Additionally, many proteins, including glutathione peroxidase, which is particularly important for cancer protection, use selenium. It also works with vitamin E vital antioxidant systems throughout the body for the prevention of heart disease, asthma and arthritis. Barley helps to preserve skin elasticity, thereby protecting it against free radical damage and loosening.

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5. Prevents Arthritis

Barley helps to reduce rheumatoid arthritis because of the presence of copper in barley. Copper is an essential stimulator of a key oxidative enzyme called superoxide dismutase, which disarms free radicals produced within the mitochondria of our cells. Copper is also necessary for the activity of lysyl oxidase, an enzyme that provides cross linkage of collagen and elastin to provide the ground substance and flexibility in blood vessels, bones and joints.

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6. Promotes Healthy Intestine and Colon

Barley provides insoluble fibers that feed friendly bacteria in the digestive tract, which helps to maintain larger populations of friendly bacteria. These friendly bacteria play an important protective role by pushing out pathogenic (disease-causing) bacteria and preventing them from surviving in the intestinal tract. Additionally they also create propionic and acetic acid, which are used as fuel by the cells of the liver and muscles. Barley further helps in maintaining a healthy colon by keeping the body toxin-free and reducing the chances of colon cancer and hemorrhoids as well.

Liver is a very important organ of the body, click here to know how to take care of it

7. Prevents Osteoporosis

Bone production in the body requires manganese. Additionally barley contains phosphorus, and copper, which are good for healthy bones. And barley juice is very high in calcium (11x greater calcium content than milk) that is mandatory to make the bones strong.

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8. Supports Immune System

Barley is rich in vitamin C, iron and copper which overall support the immunity. Vitamin C reduces the chances of cold and flu. Iron improves the blood volume, prevents anemia and fatigue, aids in proper kidney functioning and the development of body cells. Furthermore, barley contains copper, which helps to form hemoglobin and red blood cells.  

Thus barley has host of benefits to offer. The major health benefits of barley are attributable to the eight essential amino acids, it actually represents the complete protein requirement of our body. So add barley to the diet to be healthy and happy!

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