Bella Adams
When you read this information, you will realize that the benefits of barley groats are obvious: they contain a large number of micronutrients and vitamins that our bodies always need. But nowadays, barley groats are not as popular as rice or buckwheat, although several centuries ago they adorned the tables of wealthy peasants and nobles and were considered a festive dish. So what are the health benefits of barley groats and are there any contraindications to eating them? Let’s talk about it!
Ingredients of barley groats
Barley groats contain 313-322 kcal per 100 g.
Barley groats contain a lot of healthy complex carbohydrates, starch, and a sufficient amount of protein and dietary fiber. It contains fats, even saturated fatty acids.
Vitamin set: vitamins A, E, PP, D, group B – especially a lot of folic acid.
Mineral composition: calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, fluorine, boron, molybdenum, cobalt, silicon, and chromium.
Phosphorus, which is abundant in barley, is essential for the proper functioning of the brain and normal metabolism. Barley also contains more potassium, calcium, iron, and manganese than many other bowls of cereal, which is why it is very useful for the elderly. Zinc, boron, fluorine, chromium, and silicon are contained in barley in amounts that scientists call biologically significant.
Barley grain contains about 65% of complex carbohydrates, and about 6% of fiber, which is necessary for our digestion. Fiber perfectly cleanses our stomach and intestines, removes toxins, toxins, and decay products from the body, and is a source of nutrition for beneficial intestinal microflora.
Protein, which is more than 10% in barley grain, is more valuable than wheat protein, and it is almost 100% digestible, like most vegetable proteins.
All these substances are contained in barley groats almost unchanged, which is why it is often used in dietary nutrition.
Useful properties of barley groats
Since ancient times, barley products have been spoken of as a natural cure for colds and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. They were used to relieve spasms or cure inflammation. And the physician and philosopher Avicenna were convinced that barley cereals help to free the body from toxins, toxins, and allergies.
Modern researchers have found in experiments that barley grain contains the antibiotic garden, which treats fungi, including candidiasis.
Phosphorus, which is abundant in barley, is useful for maintaining proper metabolism. Despite its high calorie content, barley helps to lose weight in moderation. The product contains substances that accelerate the breakdown of fats, and barley also prevents the accumulation of new subcutaneous fat deposits. In addition, fiber (a soluble version of dietary fiber) helps cleanse the body of toxins.
Ready-made barley porridge has an enveloping effect, which makes it one of the recommended foods for people with gastritis and gastrointestinal ulcers. Porridge and its decoction are useful for inflammation of the intestines or stomach. After surgical operations, cereal will help restore strength.
It is also good to use this product to heal blood vessels and improve blood supply and brain function. It is recommended to include barley porridge in the menu for people suffering from hypertension, kidney, urinary tract, gallbladder, or liver diseases. Dishes made from barley are good for relieving allergies and diarrhea. They are useful for anemia and visual impairment.
Also, barley groats are among the foods that are good for the heart and blood vessels. It lowers cholesterol, prevents the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, and strengthens blood vessels.
This cereal also has a positive effect on the body’s hormonal levels, more precisely regulates the endocrine system, helps the thyroid gland, and produces thyroid hormone in moderate amounts. In addition, in case of bad mood and depression, barley groats are exactly what you need. The special chemical composition of the cereal stimulates the production of hormones responsible for improving mood.
Rich in B vitamins, barley is an excellent product for maintaining a youthful body and improving the condition of the skin, nails, and hair. The amino acids contained in barley proteins contribute to the production of collagen in the body, and it is known to be the main enemy of wrinkles. And, according to some scientists, barley groats are necessary to protect the body from malignant cell degeneration.
Contraindications to the use of barley groats
Despite all the positive aspects, barley groats have their own contraindications: severe intestinal diseases; exacerbation of gastric diseases; individual intolerance to barley; and a tendency to glycine enteropathy.
It is not recommended to consume barley porridge during pregnancy, as it contains certain substances that can cause premature birth.
Barley groats in folk medicine
In ancient times, people noticed that eating barley dishes improved their health. Traditional healers have developed many medicinal recipes based on barley.
A decoction of the cereal is a diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. It was also used to treat constipation, arthritis, obesity, breast diseases, hemorrhoids, and diabetes. Even today, it is advised to drink barley broth for severe coughs and to prevent urolithiasis. The remedy is prepared from 1 tablespoon of porridge and a glass of water. Boil for a quarter of an hour and then leave for 5 hours.
Barley groats in dietetics
As already mentioned, barley groats are useful for weight loss. They can be consumed as a main dish without making significant changes to your usual diet. Or you can resort to more radical weight loss. For a week, you need to exclude everything from the menu except yachts, kefir, fruits, vegetables, fresh juices, and tea.
Yachka should be cooked according to a special recipe – without oil, salt, and other spices. Pour 500 g of barley groats into 900 ml of boiling water and cook until thick. Then wrap it in a terry towel and leave it warm for 40 minutes.
Barley groats in cooking
Barley groats can be cooked in water or milk. Heat treatment practically does not affect the chemical composition of the cereal – it remains very useful for humans in any case. But the cereal should be cooked for no longer than 40 minutes.
You can cook yachka according to an old recipe. However, instead of the oven, you will have to use the oven. To do this, pour the washed barley groats into a saucepan, pour boiling water over them, add spices and oil, and put them in the oven. And here’s another delicious version of barley cooked in the oven. Add honey, eggs, spices, nuts, dried fruits, and butter to the already-cooked and slightly cooled porridge. Mix everything thoroughly and put it in a mold sprinkled with chopped nuts, and pour whipped egg whites on top. Bake until the whites are cooked.
If you plan to cook yachka with milk, then before cooking, soak the groats in cold water for 12 hours. Then drain the water and pour boiling water over the porridge (for half a cup of dry cereal, take a glass of boiling water). Cook for about 10 minutes, adding spices to taste. Next, add half a cup of hot milk to the porridge and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
Both savory and sweet versions of porridge can be made from barley groats. It goes well with fruits, dried fruits, and nuts, as well as meat, vegetables, mushrooms, eggs, herbs, and spices.
So, do you understand now why barley groats have been one of the favorite foods for millions of people for centuries? It is impossible to overestimate its beneficial properties, but do not forget about contraindications. Be healthy!
