10 Amazing Barley Water Benefits & Side Effects

What is barley water?

Water that has been boiled with barley is used to make barley water. Barley (Hordeum vulgare), a grass, is an important cereal grain farmed in temperate areas all over the world. It was one among the earliest grains to be cultivated, and the barley seeds are sometimes filtered out. They’re sometimes just stirred in and blended with a sweet or juice to form a lemonade-like drink. Some civilizations drink barley water for its health benefits.

Benefits of barley water are given below:

1. Lowers cholesterol levels:

Your cholesterol levels may be affected by drinking barley water or barley tea. Tocols, which are contained in barley, has been demonstrated to lower LDL cholesterol and improve overall cardiovascular health. The antioxidants in barley water helps scavenge free radicals, reducing the oxidative stress your heart experiences as a result of toxic exposure. Barley water is high in fiber. The benefits of barley beta fiber for heart disease and cholesterol have also been examined and published by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

2. It regulates blood sugar levels:

The ability of barley water to manage blood sugar has been evaluated by Trusted Source. Controlling blood sugar spikes can be achieved by drinking unsweetened barley water. Barley water’s ability to reduce blood sugar after eating may be of particular importance to diabetics. Antioxidants in barley water also help to enhance diabetic results.

3. Helps you lose weight:

The fiber in unstrained barley water can help you have a more regular digestive system. It can also help you feel fuller for extended periods of time. Barley water hydrates you while also providing a significant amount of calories with very little fat. Due to these qualities, drinking barley water can be an efficient way to curb hunger and avoid snacking in between meals.

Because it digests slowly and keeps you satiated for longer, barley water is very good for weight loss when combined with a good diet and exercise.

4. Vitamins and antioxidants abound:

Whether produced with pearl barley or hulled barley, barley water is high in vitamins and antioxidants. Barley water contains high levels of folate (a B vitamin), iron, copper, and manganese. Barley water’s antioxidants add to its many other health benefits by promoting healthy cell growth while removing free radicals that create oxidative stress on your organs.

5. Aids in the prevention of atherosclerosis:

The artery walls thicken and restrict blood flow in atherosclerosis. As a result, the risk of acquiring cardiovascular disease rises. Barley water also aids in the reduction of excessive blood pressure, which is linked to cardiovascular disease and stroke.

6. Enhances digestion:

Digestive fiber is abundant in cereal grains such as barley. It helps your body transport food through your stomach and out of your bowels. When you drink unstrained barley water, you’re giving this high fiber concentration a hydration boost. This suggests your body’s ability to cleanse toxins and lose water weight has been boosted. Barley is a good source of soluble fiber, according to the Mayo Clinic.

7. Cancer risk may be reduced:

New cancer research emphasizes the relevance of nutrition and lifestyle choices in reducing cancer risk. Barley’s fiber can protect your intestines by eliminating toxins that aren’t cleared during normal digestion. Barley includes ferulic acid, which may inhibit tumor growth in addition to the fiber it contains. Furthermore, according to one study trusted Source, the antioxidants present in barley prevented colon cancer cells from multiplying.

8. Aids the immunological system:

Barley water can help your immune system in another way, in addition to the free-radical-fighting capabilities of barley and the vitamins and minerals it contains. When you add citrus (like lemon rind or orange peel) to barley water, you boost the vitamin C content of the drink, making it even better for your health.

9. Helps in the balance of intestinal microorganisms:

The balance of natural gut bacteria is critical to a person’s overall health. Consumption of barley-based meals has been linked to a decrease in Bacteroides, a type of gut bacteria. While these bacteria are rarely harmful, they are the most prevalent species discovered in anaerobic infections, which develop following an injury or trauma. The gut, genitals, heart, bones, joints, and central nervous system are all susceptible to these illnesses.

10. Kidney Health is Improved:

It aids in the cleansing of the kidneys and the treatment of conditions like cystitis, kidney stones, and high creatinine levels. It’s a type of water that aids in keeping the body hydrated. Also, aids in the removal of toxins from the body by the kidneys.

Barley water recipes:

Everything is very easily available these days. But store-bought water can contain some added preservatives. We can make these quick recipes to get maximum advantages of barley.

Recipe – 1 Barley Water with Lemon Ingredients:

Pearl barley– 1 cup Water– 1.5 liters
Juice of lemon– 1 tbsp Honey– 1 tbsp
cinnamon stick– 1 tbsp
root ginger (optional)– 1 tbsp

Method:

1. Bring the water and barley to a boil
2. Allow at least 30 minutes for the saucepan to boil before adding the
3. Strain the
4. To taste, add honey, lemon juice, or
5. You can keep your homemade barley water for a few days in the

Recipe 2 – Barley Sharbat Ingredients:

Barley comes in three varieties: pot barley, hulled barley, and pearl barley.
Rock salt or salt to taste in water juice of a lemon
Honey, ice (optional)

Method:

1. Soak the barley overnight or for at least 8 hours after washing
2. Drain all of the
3. To cook barley, combine it with water in a cooker or a
4. Cook barley in a pressure cooker until it is soft and
5. It can also be cooked in a pan, but it takes longer, especially hulled barley, which takes about an hour to cook and requires a lot of water.

6. Allow the barley to cool at room temperature once it has been
7. Take the mixture and strain
8. Now season with rock salt or salt, lemon, and ice to
9. You can also add a little honey if you want it to be
10. Whoa! Your handmade barley sharbat is ready to
11. It’s best served chilled, so have fun with it!

Note:

• When stored in a glass container, the barley water can be kept in the fridge for up to 3 days (maximum 1 week).
• While drinking barley water, bear in mind that it is a diuretic, so limit yourself to six glasses per

As seen above, there are some restrictions on drinking barley water. This means that as there are advantages of barley water, it comes with side effects too.

Side effects of barley water:

1. Intestinal Gas / Flatus:

Barley generates intestinal gas or flatus since it is a soluble dietary fiber. The actions of the beneficial bacteria in our colon are the explanation for this. To avoid gas production, attempt to minimize your intake of barley water.

2. Stomach:

Excessive drinking of barley water, as well as its interactions with certain drugs, might cause an upset stomach. In all circumstances, stomach irritation can cause modest to severe symptoms such as pain, cramps, bloating, and occasionally even loose stools or diarrhea.

3. Complications of Surgery:

Because barley water can induce a sharp drop in blood glucose levels, you should always be cautious before having surgery. It is recommended that you abstain from drinking for at least 10 to 14 days before undergoing surgery. Also, It will assist you in controlling your blood sugar levels, preventing a variety of surgical problems.

4. Celiac disease:

Celiac disease is a type of wheat allergy brought on by gluten intolerance. Barley includes a high level of gluten, which aggravates the illness.

5. Asthma in Bakers:

In persons who work in bakeries, the grain of barley can trigger a significant respiratory allergy known as ‘bakers’ asthma.’ However, if you are exposed to a lot of barley flour while preparing your barley water, you may contract it. So be cautious.

Also, read Celery juice detox benefits for body and keep yourself hydrated.