Reasons to Increase Barley Intake in your Regular Diet

Barley was a functional ingredient of the ancient Babylonian and Egyptian civilizations and in many parts of Europe and Africa. Since ancient times, barley has been known for its health-promoting benefits through the presence of flavonoids, vitamins, amino acids, phenolic acids, fiber, and other functional ingredients that prevent and treat chronic disease. Here are ten scientific studies that discuss the health-promoting benefits of barley as an active constituent of a regular diet.

1. Barley Fights Diabetes

Barley contains all essential ingredients that help resolve Type 2 diabetes (T2D). Diabetes is a complex chronic condition that manifests in increased glucose levels in the blood, defects in the metabolism due to the action of insulin, or defects in the secretion of insulin. Individuals diagnosed with diabetes may have one or more defects in the mechanism of insulin. Diabetes is associated with many risk factors related to lifestyle, obesity, genetics, and race.

Idehen and his team demonstrated that consuming whole grain reduces the risk factors linked to diabetes. They stressed the importance of barley based on its soluble fiber, beta-glucan, short-chain fatty acids, and phytochemicals. These constituents contribute to improving the glycemic response. On a biochemical level, the anti-diabetes effects are not fully understood and may involve many pathways.

2. Barley is Anti-Ageing

Barley is known to slow down the aging process by collecting free radicals in the human system. This is backed by scientific evidence. One experiment in this context was performed by Qingming and his team, who tested barley malt extract and found that the section had high antioxidant properties. Barley malt extract also protects against oxidative damage. Therefore, the effects of decreasing the activity of antioxidant enzymes and promoting an anti-aging development were apparent as proven health benefits of barley. Barley also contains selenium and Vitamin E, which promote antioxidant effects and slow down aging.

3. Barley Boosts Immunity

Barley boosts immune health, helping the body fight infection and chronic disease. The immune-modulating effects of barley were apparent when scientists tested barley extract on immune-suppressed mice to understand the molecular basis of the process. Scientists observed a notable increase in cells of the bone marrow and peripheral white blood cells. They also observed increased levels of chemical messengers linked to immune function and activation of macrophages. All these processes indicated a significant improvement in immune modulation.

Beta-glucan in barley is a practical element that fights and treats wounds and burns by activating the cutaneous cells of the immune system. Experiments demonstrated that wounds healed faster through the action of macrophages, granulation of tissues, deposition of collagen, and migration of fibroblasts. All these mechanisms assisted in the closure and healing of wounds.

4. Barley Promotes Cardiovascular Health

Beta-glucan reduces total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and it can also prevent visceral fat and reduce overall obesity. The action of beta-glucan and other functional ingredients such as lignans, polyphenols, folate, tools, and phytosterols have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and participate in the promotion of cardiovascular health.

Barley can reduce cholesterol levels in the plasma when beta-glucan and soluble fiber bind to the bile acids present in the intestines and remove them from the body. The soluble fiber absorbed by the body decreases cholesterol synthesis by the liver and cleanses blood vessels. Barley contains niacin, which reduces the levels of harmful LDL cholesterol, and raises HDL levels.

5. Barley Addresses Common Bowel Problems

Insoluble fiber present in barley leads to the formation of bulk in the intestines and promotes satiety. It cleans the colon of harmful bacteria, relieves constipation, and reduces the occurrence of colon cancer. Beta-glucan in barley also affects energy metabolism due to its positive effects on suppressing appetite and improving insulin sensitivity.

This is achieved by secretion of gut hormone and the production of gut microbial metabolite short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) from the beta-glucan in barley. In this way, barley improves metabolism and prevents metabolic disorders.

6. Barley Fights Depression

A study exploring the effects of barley on depression indicated that depression scores decreased in participants who consumed barley broth as an intervention. Several experiments conducted on animal models confirm the anti-depressive results of barley: antidepressant effects of young green leaves of barley, the antidepressant effect of barley grain in the form of preventing psychiatric and emotional disorders, and the positive effects