Barley is known as the most mass-produced and cultivated whole-grain varieties in the world. It's also very popularly used as an ingredient to ferment alcohol like beer and whiskey. What's more, barley can also be made into a variety of foods to be consumed like flour, grits, flakes etc. Rich in vitamins and minerals, these grains can prove to be rather beneficial to health. So make sure you maximize the consumption of barley in your diet and you can easily cure many diseases or better health in general.

You might not be aware of this but barley contains a ton of nutrients, vitamins, minerals and other beneficial plant compounds. All of these contain antioxidants that can prove to be extremely beneficial to health. Try to soak and sprout it before you eat it to help absorb all the nutrients.

One amazing benefit of barley is that it can help promote the feeling of fullness and satiety due to which you end up consuming less food. this eventually can lead to weight loss over time. Plus, it also helps reduce feelings of hunger.

Choline is a vital nutrient that is essential to help the body function in many ways. From improving memory to sleep quality, this nutrient can help improve our health significantly. Another reason choline is important is that it helps to reduce chronic inflammation. Barley is a rich source of it so make sure to add this food product in your diet. Picture Courtesy: Google Images

Barley contains loads of essential nutrients - fibre, potassium, folate,vitamin B6 - that can help support and improve your heart health. Because it is a rich source of fibre, consuming barley can help reduce bad cholesterol. This can also help reduce your risk of developing heart disease. Vitamin B6 and folate can also stop the buildup of homocysteine, which is a compound that can cause damage to blood vessels and lead to heart issues.

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To reduce high blood pressure, you have to reduce your intake of sodium and increase your potassium intake. Barley contains potassium, as well as calcium, and magnesium, which can help lower blood pressure levels. Adding more whole grain foods can help reduce blood pressure levels and help with weight management, according to a 2006 study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association.

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We all know that fiber helps in reducing appetite where it makes a person feel fuller and ultimately results in weight loss. Consuming barley for six weeks can cut down weight and also levels of hunger by inducing satiety.

Barley had fiber that is needed to regulate bowel movement and reduce diarrhea. These grains also helps in maintaining gut health by balancing the good bacteria. Women who consume barley for four weeks straight show improvement in their metabolism and bowel function.

Just a quarter cup of hulled barley had the required amount of manganese, magnesium and phosphorus that our body needs. These minerals then contribute to the good structure of the bones, helps in bone building and also strengthens them.

A rare mineral called selenium is found in barley that helps in mutilating some cancer-causing compounds. It is also very important for liver-enzyme function. This mineral helps the immune system function efficiently.