Does Drinking Barley Water Provide Health Benefits?

Have you ever heard of barley water? You might be surprised to know that this simple drink has been around for centuries and is loaded with health benefits! Barley, a grain used to make beer and cereals, is one of the oldest cultivated crops in the world, dating back to 10,000 years ago in parts of Eurasia. And while it's commonly associated with beer, barley is actually an excellent source of nutrients and fibre, making it a popular ingredient in many traditional recipes. Plus, barley water is easy to make at home or can be found in pre-made bottles at grocery stores.

From ancient Greece to modern-day Asia, barley water has been enjoyed by various cultures around the world, often flavoured with lemon or other fruit juices. And now, with the ongoing trend of eating what our ancestors ate, barley water is making a comeback as a delicious and nutritious beverage. So, does drinking barley water provide health benefits? Let's find out!

Health Benefits of Barley Water

Barley water has several health benefits, including:

1. Lowers Cholesterol: Barley water is high in insoluble fibre that helps to reduce cholesterol levels and decrease the risk of developing heart diseases. The beta-glucans in barley bind to bile acids and prevent their formation to an extent and increase their excretion.

2. Prevents UTIs: Barley water is an excellent natural remedy for urinary tract infections (UTIs). It is a natural diuretic that increases urination and helps flush toxins and infection-causing bacteria from the body.

3. Improves Kidney Health: Barley water helps cleanse the kidneys and helps treat issues such as cystitis, kidney stones, and high creatinine levels. It also helps the kidney to flush out toxins from the body.

4. Aids Healthy Pregnancy: Barley water is full of nutrients and is a perfect health drink for pregnant women. It promotes digestion, prevents constipation, and eases morning sickness. Its diuretic nature also helps treat water retention during pregnancy.

5. Gives Clear Glowing Skin: Barley water flushes toxins from the body, giving you clear and glowing skin. The presence of azelaic acid helps treat mild-to-moderate acne, while the antioxidants in barley water help fight free radicals and reduce the signs of ageing.

6. Boosts Immunity: Regular consumption of barley water boosts your immunity. It is a natural source of iron, zinc, vitamins, and minerals that help improve immunity and keep infections at bay.

7. Prevents Body Heat: Barley water helps reduce internal body heat, thanks to its natural cooling and soothing properties.

8. Helps in Weight Loss: Barley water keeps your digestion and metabolism balanced, makes you feel fuller for longer, and reduce cravings. It helps in weight loss because it digests slowly and contains lots of calories, very little fat, and still hydrates you.

9. Improves Digestion: Barley water is considered a digestive tonic that helps facilitate the process of digestion. It is also a light beverage, easy on the stomach, and aids in various body processes. It also helps to kill harmful bacteria known as Bacteroides present in the stomach and reduces the propensity of developing intestinal issues like constipation.

10. Helps reduce Blood Sugar: Barley water helps boost intestinal bacterial growth-prevotella, shown to help lower blood sugar levels for up to 11-14 hours. Drinking unsweetened barley water is beneficial for people with high blood sugar levels.

How to Make Barley Water

Are you curious about how to make a refreshing and healthy drink, barley water? It's easy to prepare and only requires a few ingredients that you may already have in your kitchen. Here's a simple recipe to get you started.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of raw barley

• 8 cups of water

• Date Sugar or honey (optional)

• Lemon or lime juice (optional)

Instructions:

• Rinse the barley thoroughly in cold water.

• In a mud pot, add the rinsed barley and 8 cups of water.

• Bring the water to a boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer.

• Cover the pot and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes or until the barley is cooked.

• Once the barley is cooked, turn off the heat and let the pot cool for 10-15 minutes.

• Strain the barley water into a jug or pitcher using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.

• If desired, add date sugar or honey to taste, and lemon or lime juice for a refreshing twist.

• Let the barley water cool in the refrigerator for a few hours or serve it over ice.

That's it! Enjoy the refreshing and nutritious barley water. You can also experiment with different flavours and ingredients to make it more personalized to your taste.

Barley Nutrition Facts

Some nutritional facts about barley water in a table form based on a 100-gram serving size:

How much Barley Water to Drink in a Day?

If you're wondering how much barley water to drink in a day, there's no set rule, but a general guideline is to consume 1-2 glasses per day.

Of course, everyone's hydration needs are different depending on their age, sex, weight, and activity level, so it's always a good idea to listen to your body and drink water or other fluids as needed. If you're physically active or live in a hot climate, you may need to drink more barley water to replenish fluids lost through sweat.

Remember that barley water is not a magic cure for any specific health condition, but it can be a helpful addition to a balanced diet and active lifestyle.

So, there you have it, folks! Drinking barley water isn't just a refreshing way to beat the heat, it's also a fantastic way to boost your overall health and immunity. With all its amazing benefits, it's no wonder our mothers and grandmothers used to swear by it! If you're looking for a natural way to boost your immune system and stay healthy, you might want to give barley water a try. And if you want to take things up a notch, why not try our organic barley? You can make your own delicious barley water at home and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer. Cheers to good health!

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