Barley Products And Its Amazing Benefits

Barley is one of the oldest agricultural crops. People began to cultivate it hundreds of years ago. Since then, it has become an indispensable product for most of the inhabitants of the earth. Drinks are made from it, flour, cereals are made, used as animal feed and used in medicine.

Barley is a plant that can be classified as a valuable food product that benefits humans. Its grains contain a complete natural vitamin and mineral complex, which is inferior to chemical analogues. Barley contains proteins that are superior in nutritional value to wheat and are fully absorbed by the body. It is rich in minerals essential for humans. It is phosphorus, indispensable for good brain function and metabolism. Iron, manganese, zinc, potassium, and calcium are beneficial for children and the elderly. Barley is a grain rich in natural antibacterial substances. These include lysine, which has an antiviral effect and on the basis of which many antiherpes drugs and dietary supplements are made, as well as hordecin, which fights against fungal skin diseases. Compared to wheat, rye or corn, barley contains little starch and a lot of fiber, second only to oats in its content. This makes culture a dietary product. Its use allows you to cleanse the body of harmful substances, improves digestion and promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines. It is useful for diabetics, weight loss and allergy sufferers.

Barley, the properties of which have a positive effect on the body were noticed by our ancestors, is still used to get rid of many diseases. On its basis, lotions, drugs and compresses are prepared.

Barley decoction is especially appreciated in folk medicine. To prepare it, you need 200 gr. grains, pour 2 liters of warm water and leave the mixture for 6 hours. Then the barley should be boiled over low heat for 1/4 hour, leave for half an hour and drain. The tool is recommended to be used before meals, 50 grams. 3 times a day. It can also be used externally. The tool helps in cleansing the body of cholesterol, toxins and toxins, and also has a tonic and immunostimulating effect. It is recommended for nursing mothers to increase lactation and to strengthen cartilage and bone tissue. Barley broth can be used as an antipyretic to reduce stomach acidity and get rid of dry coughs.

Barley is good for youthfulness. It slows down aging, prevents the appearance of premature wrinkles, keeps the skin firm and elastic. Therefore, crushed barley grains, as well as infusions and decoctions made from it, can be used to prepare homemade cosmetics. Barley, like other cereals, contains a large amount of nutrients. In terms of fiber content, it ranks second among all cereals. Its amount is at least 9%. Protein in it up to 15.5%, carbohydrates up to 75.5%. One cup of barley coffee contains about 20-25 kcal, 4-5 g of carbohydrates and 1 g of protein.

Barley drink is rich in vitamins and useful elements, including:

group B (B1-B4, B6, B8 and B9); fat-soluble E, A, D. macro- and microelements (iodine, sulfur, potassium, phosphorus, zinc, magnesium, fluorine, silicon, etc.);

Also, barley grains contain a large amount of beta-glucans - dietary water-soluble fiber. They help cleanse the body of harmful substances, remove cholesterol and lower blood sugar levels. Barley drink has unique medicinal properties. If you include it in your diet, you can reduce the likelihood of developing Alzheimer's disease, the risk of which is increased by the accumulation of aluminum oxide. Barley contains silicic acid, which neutralizes it.

Useful properties of barley coffee:

improves the condition of the cardiovascular, urinary and endocrine systems; normalizes the digestive tract; eliminates inflammatory processes; strengthens nails and bones; restores hair growth; makes the skin elastic; helps relieve stress and restore the body after overwork.

Cooking rules and taste

The taste of the barley drink is not very similar to natural coffee. After brewing, it gives off a pleasant bread aroma, and if you add hot milk, the taste will begin to resemble cappuccino. To enhance the coffee aroma, you can add chicory - half a teaspoon per cup.

You can make a barley drink from ready-made dry powder or from grains. Brewing coffee from ready-made instant concentrate is much faster, but its flavor can vary depending on the manufacturer. The taste also changes depending on the preparation method. The coffee brewed in a cup and in a turk will be quite different.

The simplest and most popular recipe for making a coffee substitute from barley powder:

Pour 4-6 g of coffee into a 150 ml cup. Filled with hot water. Infused for 4-6 minutes.

To avoid lumps, it is recommended to first pour in a small amount of water and mix thoroughly. Once the powder is dissolved, the cup is filled to the desired volume.

The method of making coffee from beans is more complicated and time-consuming, but its taste can be changed depending on the degree of roasting of the barley. The stronger the roast, the more bitter the drink will turn out.

The classic recipe for making beans:

The barley is washed and dried. Dry grains are poured into a preheated pan (no oil is used). The barley is roasted until browning and a characteristic odor appears. The grain is poured out and left to cool completely. The cooled barley is ground in a coffee grinder. The required amount of powder is poured into the Turk and cooked until it boils. As soon as the drink has boiled, it is removed from the heat, closed with a lid and left for 5-8 minutes. Coffee is poured into a cup and other ingredients are added to taste - milk, cream, sugar.

You can drink barley coffee at any time of the day, since it does not have an exciting effect on the nervous system.

Contraindications and possible harm

No obvious negative consequences from drinking the drink have been identified. The product is contraindicated only for patients with cialekia, as it contains gluten.

People with diabetes should consult a doctor before drinking barley coffee. Everyone else should remember that the recommended intake is no more than 2-3 cups a day.