One of the oldest grains known to have been cultivated, Barley was commonly known as ‘The Holy Grain’ and has many references in the Bible. It is known to have been cultivated in Ancient Rome as one of the staple foods and is now the fourth ranked cereal crop in the world for cultivation after wheat, rice and maize.
In ancient Mesopotamia, Barley was important enough to be used as currency and in England it was marked as the measure of an inch! Known to have been domesticated over 10,000 years ago, uses of barley now range from food to drinks and natural remedies, and is one of the most popular Organic food products online.
In India, Barley is commonly known as Jau, and is an all season crop. Commonly grown in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, Barley is prized for its fibre content and other health benefits. Often consumed in the hulled pearl form, Organic Pearl Barley is the best available option when it comes to use in food.
At JIWA, we take pride in everything local, and our Organic Barley Flour is made from the best Barley sourced from local farmers and then stone ground with the bran intact to obtain the maximum health benefits of barley.
Hulled barley undergoes minimal processing to remove the inedible outer shell, leaving the bran and germ on, and thus more fibre.
Pearl barley has neither the protective outer covering nor the bran. It is polished after de-hulling and while it has lesser fibre than the hulled variety, it cooks faster and has a smoother mouthfeel.
Barley is known for its distinctive earthy flavour and chewy mouthfeel, and the numerous health benefits of Barley seeds flour are also worth a mention.
This table gives a comprehensive understanding of the nutritional value of barley . Notably high is the barley protein content at 5% and the high dietary fibre of 15% in every serving of 100 gm. Besides these, pearl barley benefits include a good amount of manganese, selenium, niacin and other important minerals and vitamins.
The dietary fibre in Barley is food for the good bacteria in the large intestine. They ferment this fibre to form butyric acid which the intestinal cells can feed on to stay healthy and in good shape.
Pearl barley and barley powder benefits also include a good cleaning of the digestive tract by washing out all the toxins.
According to ancient Ayurveda wisdom, barley facilitates a great digestive process. It helps to restore the body’s electrolyte balance during any kind of stomach infections like constipation or diarrhoea.
Managing weight becomes simple and effective with barley atta. It also helps tackle other health issues like obesity related type 2 diabetes, heart ailments and other chronic ailments.
Zinc is instrumental in the development and mineralisation of bones. Calcium and magnesium provide better bone structure and strengthening. Whereas, copper and phosphorus assist in maintaining a stronger skeletal system with better bone health.
Niacin, which is a form of vitamin B, uses the energy in our food to improve digestion, and overall skin health. Selenium is another mineral in Barley that keeps the thyroid glands healthy and improves metabolism and immunity in turn.
Vitamin B6 is another one of the benefits of barley seeds and helps boost our immune cells and brain.
Barley contains folate and iron which help in forming red blood cells and oxygenating the blood for good heart health. Barley is also a good source of nutrients like niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, and selenium that are known to enhance the cell formation, and functions of carrying oxygen through the blood. This in turn also improves the functioning of the immune system.
High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol create high risk for heart disease, so it is advisable to keep those levels in check. There are a lot of benefits of barley in a healthy diet as it can help reduce risk of coronary heart disease by lowering LDL and total cholesterol levels.
Compounds like antioxidants, saponins, phytic acid and phenolic acid also protect against cancer or slow its development.
Selenium also adds to the benefits of barley as it is an antioxidant and protects cells from damage caused by free radicals. This can trigger an increase in the risk of cancer too. Adding plant based foods rich in fibre such as barley also helps lower the risk of colorectal cancer.
The deposits of fatty materials like cholesterol can thicken artery walls and cause atherosclerosis. This aggravates possibilities of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Diets rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and fish provide protection against these ailments, whereas foods like red meat, refined carbohydrates, and high-fat products increase disease risk. Thus, whole grains rich in fibre and protein like Barley inhibit the risk factors considerably. The insoluble fibres from barley also contain propionic acid that keeps blood cholesterol levels low.
Barley Dalia also has many benefits , prominently it helps control Type 2 diabetes mellitus because of its high fibre content. Barley is packed with all essential vitamins and minerals like beta glucan fibres that heighten the benefits of barley flour as well as grains.
Barley is rich in antioxidants such as Vitamins A, E, and C which are known to reduce the build up of cancer cells. The presence of vitamin E, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin also help protect the cells and repair cell damage caused by oxidative stress.
Choline is a nutrient that helps control and reduce inflammation. Barley is rich in betaine, which the body converts to choline. Choline also helps with sleep, muscle movement, and memory. It helps maintain the structure of cell membranes, assists transmission of nerve impulses, and helps in the absorption of fat.
Barley straw is used for making hats, as packing material and for industrial manufacturing of cellulose pulp.
If that's not all, roasted barley seeds were used as a coffee substitute in Italy during the First and Second World Wars. To this day, Italians drink a coffee made from barley called Orzo.
Barley is very versatile in the kitchen, and supplements white rice very well in most recipes. The flavour is always more pronounced and the chewy texture is like icing on the cake when cooked like risotto, or as a fun substitute for pasta. It is also often used in soups and stews to thicken them, and add texture. Experiment with barley in a variety of recipes such as the base of a rich casserole with meats or dairy, or a summery salad with chopped vegetables and herbs.
So from the variety of uses of Barley, there is no dearth of things for you to start experimenting with. Add these amazing ‘pearls’ of good health to every meal and reap the benefits of barley flour as well as seeds. Thank us later!
In ancient Mesopotamia, Barley was important enough to be used as currency and in England it was marked as the measure of an inch! Known to have been domesticated over 10,000 years ago, uses of barley now range from food to drinks and natural remedies, and is one of the most popular Organic food products online.
In India, Barley is commonly known as Jau, and is an all season crop. Commonly grown in the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh and Punjab, Barley is prized for its fibre content and other health benefits. Often consumed in the hulled pearl form, Organic Pearl Barley is the best available option when it comes to use in food.
At JIWA, we take pride in everything local, and our Organic Barley Flour is made from the best Barley sourced from local farmers and then stone ground with the bran intact to obtain the maximum health benefits of barley.
Nutritional Value of Barley
Barley can usually be bought in two forms: hulled or pearl barley.Hulled barley undergoes minimal processing to remove the inedible outer shell, leaving the bran and germ on, and thus more fibre.
Pearl barley has neither the protective outer covering nor the bran. It is polished after de-hulling and while it has lesser fibre than the hulled variety, it cooks faster and has a smoother mouthfeel.
Barley is known for its distinctive earthy flavour and chewy mouthfeel, and the numerous health benefits of Barley seeds flour are also worth a mention.
This table gives a comprehensive understanding of the nutritional value of barley . Notably high is the barley protein content at 5% and the high dietary fibre of 15% in every serving of 100 gm. Besides these, pearl barley benefits include a good amount of manganese, selenium, niacin and other important minerals and vitamins.
Health Benefits Of Barley
Intestinal Health
Its high fibre content is one of the main benefits of barley in providing good nutrition. Preventing constipation, it helps maintain a healthy colon, and regularity of bowel movement helps boost overall intestinal health.The dietary fibre in Barley is food for the good bacteria in the large intestine. They ferment this fibre to form butyric acid which the intestinal cells can feed on to stay healthy and in good shape.
Pearl barley and barley powder benefits also include a good cleaning of the digestive tract by washing out all the toxins.
According to ancient Ayurveda wisdom, barley facilitates a great digestive process. It helps to restore the body’s electrolyte balance during any kind of stomach infections like constipation or diarrhoea.
Weight Loss
Harness the benefits of barley flour easily by eating rotis or bread made with this fibre rich cereal. The fibre contributes to the feeling of fullness for longer intervals because of its bulking function. This reduces calorie intake and assists weight loss over time.Managing weight becomes simple and effective with barley atta. It also helps tackle other health issues like obesity related type 2 diabetes, heart ailments and other chronic ailments.
Bone health
The presence of phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, and copper enhance the benefits of Barley seeds manifold.Zinc is instrumental in the development and mineralisation of bones. Calcium and magnesium provide better bone structure and strengthening. Whereas, copper and phosphorus assist in maintaining a stronger skeletal system with better bone health.
Immunity
The nutritional value of barley is the key to keeping the body in great shape.Niacin, which is a form of vitamin B, uses the energy in our food to improve digestion, and overall skin health. Selenium is another mineral in Barley that keeps the thyroid glands healthy and improves metabolism and immunity in turn.
Vitamin B6 is another one of the benefits of barley seeds and helps boost our immune cells and brain.
Cardiovascular Health & Cancer
Phytochemicals are plant based chemicals that help prevent heart disease and cancer, and Barley is known to be rich in different phytochemicals like flavonoids.Barley contains folate and iron which help in forming red blood cells and oxygenating the blood for good heart health. Barley is also a good source of nutrients like niacin, thiamin, riboflavin, magnesium, and selenium that are known to enhance the cell formation, and functions of carrying oxygen through the blood. This in turn also improves the functioning of the immune system.
High levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol create high risk for heart disease, so it is advisable to keep those levels in check. There are a lot of benefits of barley in a healthy diet as it can help reduce risk of coronary heart disease by lowering LDL and total cholesterol levels.
Compounds like antioxidants, saponins, phytic acid and phenolic acid also protect against cancer or slow its development.
Selenium also adds to the benefits of barley as it is an antioxidant and protects cells from damage caused by free radicals. This can trigger an increase in the risk of cancer too. Adding plant based foods rich in fibre such as barley also helps lower the risk of colorectal cancer.
Cholesterol
As mentioned above, high levels of LDL can put you at potential risk of heart ailments. With the benefits of barley flour and seeds levels of LDL can be lowered and the risk of heart diseases avoided. Amongst other nutrients, the Niacin present in barley can help to reduce the total cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular risk.The deposits of fatty materials like cholesterol can thicken artery walls and cause atherosclerosis. This aggravates possibilities of cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
Diets rich in whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes and fish provide protection against these ailments, whereas foods like red meat, refined carbohydrates, and high-fat products increase disease risk. Thus, whole grains rich in fibre and protein like Barley inhibit the risk factors considerably. The insoluble fibres from barley also contain propionic acid that keeps blood cholesterol levels low.
Diabetes
Barley is rich in magnesium which helps maintain a lower glycemic index. This is important to improve the production of insulin and to maintain blood sugar levels. So in effect managing diabetes with a hearty bowl of barley soup can be safely added to the many benefits of Barley.Barley Dalia also has many benefits , prominently it helps control Type 2 diabetes mellitus because of its high fibre content. Barley is packed with all essential vitamins and minerals like beta glucan fibres that heighten the benefits of barley flour as well as grains.
Antioxidant
Barley is a virtuous grain, and its regular intake is known to be beneficial for mental and physical health.Barley is rich in antioxidants such as Vitamins A, E, and C which are known to reduce the build up of cancer cells. The presence of vitamin E, beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin also help protect the cells and repair cell damage caused by oxidative stress.
Inflammation
People with chronic inflammation such as Crohn’s disease have a higher risk of cancer. Persistent inflammation triggers DNA changes that cause cells to multiply uncontrolled.Choline is a nutrient that helps control and reduce inflammation. Barley is rich in betaine, which the body converts to choline. Choline also helps with sleep, muscle movement, and memory. It helps maintain the structure of cell membranes, assists transmission of nerve impulses, and helps in the absorption of fat.
Let’s Go Deeper
Benefits of Barley seeds are not limited to humans only! With the presence of carbohydrates and proteins, Barley uses and benefits stretch to animals too making it the ideal livestock feed. Barley straw is also used to make bedding for animals in many countries.Barley straw is used for making hats, as packing material and for industrial manufacturing of cellulose pulp.
If that's not all, roasted barley seeds were used as a coffee substitute in Italy during the First and Second World Wars. To this day, Italians drink a coffee made from barley called Orzo.
To Sum Up
Barley is a cereal grain that is popular for use in bread, beverages, risottos, and other dishes. Being a whole grain, barley provides fibre, vitamins, and minerals in a good amount. Consuming a diet rich in whole grains helps reduce the risk of obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other chronic health problems.Barley is very versatile in the kitchen, and supplements white rice very well in most recipes. The flavour is always more pronounced and the chewy texture is like icing on the cake when cooked like risotto, or as a fun substitute for pasta. It is also often used in soups and stews to thicken them, and add texture. Experiment with barley in a variety of recipes such as the base of a rich casserole with meats or dairy, or a summery salad with chopped vegetables and herbs.
So from the variety of uses of Barley, there is no dearth of things for you to start experimenting with. Add these amazing ‘pearls’ of good health to every meal and reap the benefits of barley flour as well as seeds. Thank us later!
The abundance of vitamins and minerals in barley not only boosts immunity but also contributes to radiant skin and overall well-being. Cheers to the amazing health benefits of barley.
Goldtreemillers
Do you have good quality of Hulled whole barley grains recommended for me for taking overnight soaked water ( after strain) in the morning and also boil barley water ; Residual boiled grains can be taken in breakfast with fruits salad or with tonned milk. I am a diabetic patient with high blood pressure and COPD. Added to that I last year I underwent major brain tumor operation following vision losses and now facing several health constraints. Unable to take any physical or mental stress. Any request if you please help me out with quality Hulled whole grain barley for online supply
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