Health Benefits Of Barley

Barley may not be one of the first foods that come to mind when you think about healthy nutrition. But the truth is that the health benefits of barley are quite impressive. Knowing what they are can help you make better decisions as how to add this grain into your diet.

Here are some health benefits of barley that you may not have known about.

Weight Loss

Barley’s high amount of fiber can help you lose weight by making you feel fuller and less hungry, says Healthline.

To make it even better, thanks to its low glycaemic index (GI), barley won’t cause your blood sugar to spike in an unhealthy way.

Heart Health

Barley has been shown to lower cholesterol and visceral fat, which can lower cardiovascular risk. Also, “barley’s fiber, potassium, folate, and vitamin B6 content … all support a healthy heart.”

Intestinal Health

Barley is also good for your intestinal health. Its fibers can help friendly bacteria in your digestive tract, which means less problematic bacteria there.

Stomach Cancer

According to WebMD.com, “some evidence suggests that eating dietary fiber, including barley, is linked with a reduced risk of stomach cancer.”

Protein Source

Barley packs a large amount of protein — 12 grams of protein for every 100 grams of barley. In addition to “helping our bodies to grow and repair, evidence suggests that eating plenty of protein can help us to build muscle, keep us feeling fuller for longer and boost metabolism, making it easier to manage weight.”

Do you eat barley on a regular basis?

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