Barley is one of the oldest grains used in different parts of the world. Different cultures have used barley water in different ways to deal with many health problems. As more research is done evidence of health benefits of barley water are emerging.
Barley water is made out of cooking barley in water. Sometimes the grains are strained out and water is consumed. But other times they are mixed to get the benefits of fiber in the barley water. Most people use it with lemon juice or lemon rinds. Other fruit juices can also be added.
Table of Contents
- How to Make Barley Water?
- 7 Health Benefits of Barley Water
- Risks of Barley Water
- Other Tips and Precautions
How to Make Barley Water?
Making barley water drinks is as simple as cooking barley in water. The drink is rich in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and other nutrients.
Use hulled barley is more nutritious than pearled barley but you can use whichever barley you get.
- Soak 1 cup of barley water overnight
- Maintain the water level about a centimeter above the barley.
- Strain the water and discard it
- Put the barley in a saucepan
- Add 4 cups of water and put it to boil
- Wait until the grains are completely cooked.
- Strain the water and drink or
- Blend it in a blender to make a thick drink
- Add lemon juice for taste and other benefits
For some purposes like UTI and Kidney problems you will need to strain the water to drink. For other purposes drink it unstrained. Unstrained has high calories.
7 Health Benefits of Barley Water
1. Soluble Fiber Improves Digestion
Constipation is one of the most common problems of today's sedentary lifestyle. The problem doesn't stop there as constipation can create lots of other health problems within your body.
Barley water has high dietary fiber. In fact it is a good source of soluble fibre that helps in constipation relief. It improves bowel movement in your overall health.
You should drink and strain barley water to get the maximum out of soluble fibre for better digestion.
2. Vitamin and Antioxidants Increases Immunity
Antioxidants in barley water help to fight free radicals and vitamins and minerals provide the benefits of increased immunity.
Ferulic acid and antioxidants found in barley water can protect you from colon and other cancers. In addition the fiber keeps colon in good health which itself is a cancer protection measure.
3. Treats Urinary Tract Infection
Barley water is a natural diuretic to flush out your Kidneys and urinary tract.
If you have a urinary tract infection then a couple of glasses of strained barley water for a few days can remove the infection. Strained barley water is low calorie as compared to the unstrained one there for drinking 2-3 glasses can be consumed without any risk of weight gain due to high calories.
4. Removes Kidney Stones
Vitamin B6 and Magnesium are two important nutrients of barley water that helps to break down calcium oxalate in the kidney stones.
The diuretic capabilities of barley water then helps to flush out the kidneys and urinary system. If you have kidney stones then drink 2-3 glasses of strained barley water daily.
5. Lowers Cholesterol and Triglycerides
High calories, low fat and good dietary fiber makes barley a perfect grain for lowering cholesterol. The beta-glucans and fiber keeps a check in the bad cholesterol by reducing absorption of LDL and triglycerides.
6. Controls Blood Sugar Levels
Barley us a smarter grain to deal with diabetes as it reduces the rate at which sugar is released to the bloodstream
The amino acids and soluble fiber keep a check on blood sugar level by improving insulin resistance.
Once your Cholesterol and Blood sugar levels are controlled your heart health improves and you feel and become more healthy.
7. Promotes Weight Loss
Barley water is a very interesting drink with high calorie and low fat. Drinking two cups of unstrained barley water gives you calories of almost one meal.
1 glass of unstrained barley water about 700 calories out of which only 20 calories come from flat.
So you consume good calories without fat. This helps tremendously in weight loss
Risks of Barley Water
Barley water is high in calories if the grains are not strained out from the water. It is certainly beneficial to keep the grains inside water to get the advantage of fiber but it adds up calories. A glass of unstrained barley water can add as high as 700 calories. So be careful and limit your consumption.
If you buy barley water from outside then there is an additional risk of high sugar content and preservatives that can add up sodium intake. Read the label and buy carefully.
Other Tips and Precautions
- Avoid barley water if you have gluten intolerance or celiac disease
- Start with small quantities like ¼ to ½ cup and gradually increase. If you are not used to drinking it then 1 cup if barley water can give you constipation it loose motion.
- Add lemon or orange juice for better taste
In summary, add barley water to your daily diet by keeping restraint to get full health benefits.