Barley Grass Juice Health Benefits
Touted as a superfood, health gurus from all over the world rave about the benefits of barley grass juice. Barley may be associated with beer production, but on its own, this plant offers a plethora of vitamins and minerals that the body needs to thrive.
What is Barley Grass?
Barley grass is an annual grass and the leaf of the barley plant (not the grain). It is gluten-free and can grow in a wide range of climates.
Barley is the first cereal grain to be cultivated by humans. It was first used for food and medicinal purposes in 7000 BC. Crop reports date all the way back to 2440 BC, and the Chinese were cultivating the plant around 2000 BC.
Middle Eastern and Asian cultures have been including barley grass in their diets since biblical times.
For medicinal purposes, the grass was used to treat liver, skin, GI and blood issues. The Ancient Greeks used the mucilage from the cereal to treat inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.
A 100g serving of barley grass provides:
- 12g protein
- 12mg sodium
- 452mg potassium
- 73g carbohydrates
- 19% RDA iron
- 15% RDA vitamin B6
- 33% RDA magnesium
Barley grass also contains:
- Chlorophyll
- Eight essential amino acids
- 15 times more protein than milk
- Vitamins B1, B2, B12 and C
- Folic acid
- Lutein
- Pantothenic acid
- Calcium, phosphorus and copper
- Antioxidants bioflavonoids, including the C-glycosylflavones lutonarin and saponarin
Humans have long known the health benefits of barley grass, but advancements in farming and food production have caused us to stop eating this beneficial grass.
Organic Barley Grass Health Benefits
Barley grass provides a number of health benefits, including:
Liver Cleansing
One of the primary benefits of barley grass is that it can cleanse the liver and eliminate toxic build-up in the body.
Think of your liver as a filter. Its job is to catch and eliminate toxins, but over time, that “filter” gets dirty and starts working less efficiently. Just like a car needs an oil change, the liver can benefit from a cleansing to remove this toxic build-up.
An over-worked liver can:
- Cause fatigue
- Lead to memory issues
- Cause breakouts and/or acne
- Cause anxiety
- Lead to headaches
Barley grass contains beneficial chlorophyll and beta carotene, which stimulate the elimination of waste and aid in the detoxification process.
Immune Support
Barley grass juice contains more vitamin C than oranges, but it’s also loaded with immune-supporting copper.
The vitamin C and copper work together to help the immune system work more efficiently. Copper is also essential for hemoglobin in red blood cells.
Improved Insulin Resistance
Several studies have shown that barley grass juice can help lower sugar levels and improve insulin resistance.
The antioxidants and vitamins in the grass are what help stabilize blood sugar levels and get the body back on track.
Better Skin
Who doesn’t want a more youthful, radiant glow? Barley grass juice contains selenium, which helps improve skin elasticity.
Barley grass can also help protect the skin from environmental factors, like harmful UV rays and smog that can age the skin prematurely. This beneficial plant also contains iron, chlorophyll and vitamin B – all of which can help regenerate and renew your skin cells.
Ward Off Cancer
Barley grass is often used to help prevent cancer, as it contains superoxide dismutase enzyme and catalese enzymes. Both enzymes are known to be cancer preventing agents. They prevent proliferation and can help kill cancer cells.
Women in particular can benefit from barley grass juice, as the superoxide dismutase enzyme can help with preventing breast cancer.
Rich in Antioxidants
Rich in antioxidants, barley grass can help fight free radical damage and prevent the development of diseases caused by oxidative stress.
Superoxide dismutase can help neutralize free radicals, but barley grass also contains beta carotene, vitamin B-12 and vitamin E.
Reduced Cholesterol
A clinical study on barley grass found that it not only helps lower blood sugar levels, but it also helps lower cholesterol.
The study found that after 70 days of consuming barley grass every day, cholesterol levels fell by 5.1%. Cholesterol – along with type 2 diabetes – is slowed down by monosaturated fats and antioxidants.
Repairs DNA
Research has shown that barley grass can actually repair DNA. Our DNA can be altered by food additives, stress, medical drugs, radiation and low immunity. These changes aren’t beneficial and can include genetic abnormalities, sterility and premature aging.
In women, these changes can lead to deformed offspring and miscarriages.
Barley grass has been studied for its ability to prevent damage and strengthen DNA.
Osteoporosis Prevention
Barley grass contains copper, phosphorus and 11 times more calcium than milk. It also contains manganese, which plays a vital role in bone production.
There’s no cure for osteoporosis, but you may help slow down the progression of the disease and keep your bones in better condition by adding barley grass juice to your diet.
Barley grass is so nutrient dense that vegetarians and vegans can use it to fill nutritional gaps in their diets, particularly because the grass is nutritionally complete.
Potential Side Effects
Barley is considered “likely safe” for most people – even for pregnant women. However, pregnant women should avoid eating high amounts of barley sprouts.
Those who are sensitive to gluten or have celiac disease should avoid barley grass, as it can make the symptoms worse.
If you’re allergic or sensitive to other cereal grains, like wheat, rye, corn, oat and rice, barley may cause an allergic reaction.
If you’re a diabetic, barley may lower your blood sugar, so you may need to adjust your medications. Talk to your doctor before adding barley grass juice to your diet.
Adding Barley Grass Juice to Your Diet
Barley grass juice powder is the simplest way to add this superfood to your diet. Simply add the powder to your morning smoothies or juice and enjoy. The flavor is mild and can often be masked by other foods in your smoothies or juices.
You can also juice your own barley grass, but you’ll need a centrifugal juicer to extract the juice from this delicate grass.
