Barley is a cereal crop that contains a large number of elements useful to the human body. Barley product is used not only in the food industry to create various cereals, tea or coffee drinks, but also in medicine - in the form of medicinal decoctions, as well as in cosmetology. But despite the fact that the grains of this cereal have many useful properties, they include gluten, which is harmful to the health of people prone to allergies and fullness.

Barley Composition

The chemical composition of the barley product depends on many factors - the territory in which it grows, weather conditions and the components found in the soil.

Did you know? Barley groats are not subdivided into varieties. It varies in fractions having 1, 2 and 3 numbers. But the division occurs only during refining at the plant, and the finished mixture of different-sized particles goes on sale.

In a percentage ratio, barley grain contains the following substances:

• ash - 2.5%;
• water - 14.5%;
• fiber - 5%;
• starch - 54%;
• fat - 2.5%;
• protein - 9.5%;
• other (nitrogen-free or extractive) - 12%.

The main chemical compounds contained in this plant are carbohydrates, water and proteins.

Nutritional value and calorie content

In its pure form, barley raw materials can be either:

• purified - with the removed germ and inner shell;
• whole - in the form of raw grain.

The food industry “turns” this cereal into barley or pearl barley, cereals and flour.

100 g of cereals (from whole grains) contain:

• calories - 320 kcal;
• proteins - 9.3 g;
• fats - 1.1 g;
• carbohydrates - 73.7 g.

One cup of cooked cereal is enough to compensate for 10% of calories, 15% of fats and 24% of fiber, which you need to consume daily for an adult. Most carbohydrates contained in this product are - starch, cellulose, polysaccharides, hemicelluloses and sugar.

Gluten content in barley groats

Barley is one of the cereals containing gluten - from 2.2 to 2.8 g per 100 g of product. This component in barley groats is called hordein. In addition, iron, potassium and protein are present in the barley product, which are also absorbed for a long time. Due to its gluten content, pearl barley and barley porridge are traditionally considered "heavy" for the stomach.

Important! Despite the gluten content in barley groats, its use is considered acceptable for people prone to allergies.

Useful properties of barley

This cereal contains vitamins: A, B, D, E, PP, as well as elements like:

• phosphorus;
• silicon;
• chromium;
• boron;
• zinc;
• fluorine.

In addition, it contains a large amount of calcium, iron and magnesium. Slowly digestible carbohydrates and fiber are good for the stomach, and the vegetable protein contained in this product is superior to wheat in its nutritional value. Barley grain cereals are good for people with bowel and digestive problems in general.

In addition, they are useful:

• diabetics (do not increase blood sugar);
• obese people;
• patients with endocrine diseases, with impaired metabolism.

Barley-based products have a cleansing effect, remove toxins from the body. A diet based on them is prescribed for people with sick kidneys, liver, gall bladder and urinary tract problems. Barley porridge also helps strengthen the eye muscles.

For women

This cereal will help the fair sex to maintain its beauty and youth for a long time. Its use makes the nails stronger and the hair healthy and silky. Barley product improves mood, fights stress and depression. In addition, barley and feather groats help to overcome diseases of the thyroid gland, bladder, which are more common among women than among men.

For men

A strong sex barley product will help to overcome the various viruses, infections and fungal diseases that affect people working outdoors. Also, the constant use of barley-based cereals will prevent constipation, improve the functioning of the stomach and eliminate toxins formed after drinking alcohol.

For older people over 50

Due to its high magnesium content, barley is useful for older people. It stabilizes the heart, hemoglobin and does not increase blood sugar. In addition, the substances contained in it have a beneficial effect on blood circulation.

For children

Barley and pearl barley porridge are widely used in baby food.

Doctors and nutritionists advise them to use:

1. Children with allergies. Removes toxins from the body.
2. With diabetes. It does not increase sugar levels, it helps to stop problems associated with the stomach.
3. With increased body weight. Well absorbed by the body, does not cause obesity.
4. With anemia. The high content of iron and B vitamins helps in blood formation.
5. After injuries. Calcium and phosphorus accelerate recovery and strengthen bone tissue.

When losing weight

Barley groats are one of the main foods for dieters. It contains phosphorus that improves metabolism. In addition, cereals based on this cereal have the ability to quickly saturate the body, helping a person avoid overeating at the table.

Harm and contraindications

• This product has few contraindications, but it should not be used by people with:
• An allergy. Due to gluten content.
• Celiac disease. Individual intolerance to all barley products.
• Inflammation of the stomach or intestines. High fiber.

Also, it is not recommended for children with an immature enzyme system, flatulence and colic.

Medical use

Barley-based medicines were known in antiquity. Nowadays, this product is used both in classical medicine and in folk medicine. It is used in the preparation of various decoctions, as a component for medicines, and is added to immunity-enhancing agents.

Healing properties

A product such as barley water is especially popular in modern medicine.

This is a decoction of grains, and is used for:

• low blood pressure;
• acute thirst;
• tuberculosis;
• breast tumors;
• dry cough;
• headache.

It is also recommended for people with a weakened body after surgery. Hordecin, which is used to create an antibiotic, is isolated from barley.

Barley recipes

In traditional medicine, this product is used as a restorative and healing. He is especially fond of nutritionists who use recipes based on barley grass, which have come down to our days from the depths of centuries. In addition, ointments and decoctions from this plant help against skin rashes and boils.

Video: the benefits of barley drink

Barley decoction

There are a number of recipes based on this cereal, which are used from a variety of ailments.

1. For severe cough or bronchitis. 2 tbsp. l mix barley grains with 1 tbsp. raisins. Boil 1.5 l of water, place the mixture in a boiling liquid. Cook until evaporation of half the volume of water. Cool, add a spoonful of honey.
2. Dry cough. Fry one tablespoon of barley, oats and rye in a pan. Cool, add 2 hours of almonds and chicory. Take - half a teaspoon of the mixture diluted with one glass of boiling water or hot milk.
3. After abdominal surgery. Grind barley grains, 2-3 tbsp. pour 0.5 l of water into the raw material, bring to a boil, then turn off the heat and hold it under the lid for about 4 hours. Take 1 tbsp. 3 times a day.
4. For constipation. 4 pears and 150 g of barley grains pour 1.5 liters of water, and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Take 250 g before meals.
5. How to strengthen. Pour 150 g of whole grains with one liter of water, and insist for one hour. Put on fire, and boil for 20-30 minutes. Take 2-3 times a day for 0.3 liters.
6. For children with gastric diseases. Grind 1 tbsp. grains, pour 0.25 liters of water and cook until a boiled substance is obtained (1–1.5 hours). When taking, mix the broth with whole milk in a ratio of 3: 1.

Joint infusion

The infusion of this cereal is popular in the treatment of sprains, joint pain and muscle tissue. In order to prepare the infusion, grind 200 g of whole grains and pour them with 0.2 l of warm water. It is necessary to withstand the mixture for about a day. Then it is applied to problem areas of the body for 20-30 minutes once a day.

Did you know? Barley groats are considered more useful than pearl barley, although they are produced from the same cereal. The fact is that during the production of the first grain they are not polished, which allows preserving valuable natural properties.

Barley Tea

Tea from this plant helps to improve digestion, and has a calming effect on the nervous system. In order to make a drink, it is necessary to fry 200-300 g of whole grains before they acquire a golden hue. Then the product is put in cheesecloth and boiled in water for 10-12 minutes. It should be consumed after the broth has stood for 1-2 hours, preferably with honey.

Cooking use

Perhaps, this cereal has found the widest application in cooking; barley, barley and barley groats are produced from it. It is the basis of many dishes, especially in the East.

Barley product is used in the preparation of:

• kvass;
• beer
• vinegar
• jelly;
• soups;
• coffee;
• side dishes and salads.

Nutritionists are especially advised to use it, since this cereal has many properties that positively affect the digestive tract.

Video: how to cook barley porridge

Cosmetology

Beauticians use barley because of its strong moisturizing effect. Cream containing this product does not evaporate from the skin for a long time, nourishing it with moisture.

In addition, cereal-based creams are used for:

• epidermis recovery;
• accelerate skin renewal;
• wound healing and the elimination of inflammatory processes.

Due to the silicon and lysine contained in barley, the skin produces collagen, becoming more elastic and healthy looking.

Barley flour mask for skin

If you apply a mask of barley flour several times a week, you can achieve a rejuvenating effect, clean the pores and add elasticity to the skin. To create a mask at home, you need to take 30 g of grains, which are combined with 1 teaspoon of honey and 10 mg of olive oil.

The resulting mixture is poured with 0.2 l of water, and stirred until homogeneous. It can be used after the substance has infused for 20-30 minutes.

Rules for the selection and storage of barley groats

In order to choose a quality cereal, you should adhere to a number of simple rules.

1. The barley product grains should not be dark or clotted. You should also avoid buying non-whole grains broken into several parts.
2. The time that has passed since the day the cereal was packaged should not exceed several months - this affects the taste.
3. If the packaging does not indicate the production date, the period during which the product should be stored or its composition - should not purchase cereals of this manufacturer.
4. A weighted “cell” can produce an unpleasant “mouse” aroma, so it is better not to purchase such a product.

Regardless of the condition in which the cereal was purchased, it must be properly stored.

In this case, one should adhere to a number of rules:

1. The product should be kept in a dark, dry place with no pungent odors.
2. It is better to keep cereals in ceramic or glass containers, and not in plastic bags.
3. Shelf life should not exceed 1.5 years.
4. During storage, the product should be protected from bugs and other pests by closing the container tightly with a lid.

Important! When buying bulk cereals, you should carefully monitor its condition, wet materials should be discarded.

Barley and cereals from this cereal have long been used by mankind in medicine, cosmetology and cooking. Despite a number of contraindications, barley product has a large number of advantages, for which doctors, nutritionists and ordinary consumers value it.