Pearl barley: benefits and harms. Video
There is hardly any other cereal, except for pearl barley, which would combine a lot of useful properties and cheapness. It is no coincidence that the product bears this name, it comes from the word “pearls”, which means pearls. Even the ancient Russians knew how to grind whole grains of barley, which became like pearls, and were also highly valued. Today, few people know the benefits and harms of pearl barley, it was undeservedly removed from the pedestal, giving preference to other products.
There are the following types of pearl barley: – ordinary; – “Dutch”; – barley.
Common pearl barley is whole barley with the shell removed. “Holland” is also a whole grain of barley, but it has undergone a deeper processing. Barley groats – the same ordinary pearl barley, only heavily chopped. All types are equally well suited for the preparation of delicious cereals, soups and medicinal broths.
Most often, porridge is still cooked from pearl barley, the benefits of which are argued even by Japanese scientists, despite the cult of rice existing in the country. The Japanese unambiguously recognize barley as a storehouse of nutrients
Useful properties of pearl barley
Those who regularly consume barley dishes are not threatened with a lack of vitamins, because in pearl barley porridge or in a soup seasoned with pearl barley, almost all of them are present. Thus, B vitamins ensure the coherence of the nervous system, clean skin and healthy hair. Vitamin A promotes good eyesight and protects against infections. Vitamin E significantly slows down the wilting process. Vitamin D strengthens bones and teeth.
The use of pearl barley is also that it contains many macro- and microelements, such as: – calcium; – magnesium; – potassium; – phosphorus; – sodium; – manganese; – iron; – selenium; – zinc, etc.
Despite such an abundance of useful elements, the main wealth of pearl barley is phosphorus. In terms of its content, pearl barley is 2 times higher than other cereals. But phosphorus is necessary for normal metabolism and for the active work of the brain. It is also an important element for athletes to ensure the strength and speed of muscle contractions.
In terms of protein and amino acid composition, pearl barley is superior to wheat. It contains a large amount of lysine – an amino acid that maintains vitality and keeps the heart healthy, has an antiviral effect, especially against microbes that provoke acute colds and herpes.
Pearl barley broth has an enveloping and softening effect, therefore it is recommended for people suffering from disorders of the digestive system. The broth is also known as an excellent expectorant, diuretic and tonic. Its use increases lactation in nursing mothers. It is also an excellent hepatoprotector that cleans the liver.
The water in which the pearl barley was soaked contains a large amount of hordecin, a natural antibacterial agent that is successfully used in the treatment of fungal skin lesions.
The dietary fiber retained in barley even after boiling lowers cholesterol levels and promotes gentle bowel movement, which prevents constipation, reduces the risk of hemorrhoids and colon cancer, and reduces the likelihood of cardiovascular diseases. Well-boiled soft pearl barley is recommended for patients in the period of exacerbation of gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer, as well as in chronic colitis and pancreatitis.
Porridge made from pearl barley can easily be considered beauty porridge No. 1 for the reason that the same lysine (amino acid) takes an active part in the production of collagen, which provides the skin with smoothness and elasticity and prevents premature wrinkles. Barley porridge should also be remembered for those who care about their figure, because it contains fiber, which effectively removes decay products and excess fluid from the body, which helps to accelerate metabolism. And given the fact that barley is rich in complex (long-degradable) carbohydrates, after its use, a feeling of satiety remains for a long time, and therefore, during the period when new portions of food are not supplied to the body, it successfully consumes the stored fat.
What is the use of pearl barley
The barley diet is one of the most affordable, cheap and effective. According to the reviews of those who “sat” on it, weight loss in 1 day can be 1 kg. The recommended diet duration is 5 days. In the first 2 days, the body will be cleansed (pearl barley has a strong diuretic and cleansing effect). Then there will be an activation of metabolism and lipid consumption, the body will begin to shed fat deposits, while pearl barley will enrich it with the necessary nutrients, i.e. during the diet, the body loses only accumulated fat and harmful substances, and vitamins, proteins, minerals enter it along with porridge.
Harm is a strong saying. There is no need to talk about harm as such. Rather, it should be reminded of the contraindications and precautions. Sometimes you can hear that barley is a heavy product for the stomach. Indeed, you should not eat barley porridge in large quantities, the digestion of complex carbohydrates can slow down the work of the gastrointestinal tract, but nothing more. If there is barley in reasonable amounts, there will be no problems.
With caution, the frequent use of barley porridge should be treated by people suffering from high acidity of the stomach, a tendency to gas formation. You should not get carried away with barley and pregnant women due to the presence of a specific gluten protein in the cereal, which can have a negative effect on the course of pregnancy (cause swelling, toxicosis, etc.).
About how to quickly lose weight by 10 kg, read the next article.