So what exactly is barley grass? It is one of the earliest grown sweet grasses. It has existed for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used it as food for people and animals.

It was also very popular among the Greeks and the Romans. They used it in making barley bread as food for their athletes. They believed it contributed to the athletes’ overall strength and boosts their energy.

Barley grass comes in two forms, either as a juice or powder.

Nutrition Content

This supplement contains vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, C, E, and K. It also has beta carotene, pantothenic acid, and folic acid. It has minerals such as calcium, iron, potassium, magnesium, organic sodium, and phosphorus. Finally, it also boasts of amino acids, chlorophyll, fiber, protein, and enzymes.

Benefits of Barley Grass

Acts as a Powerful Antioxidant

Barley grass fights against harmful free radicals that contaminate the body. It contains superoxide dismatuse (SOD). It is an enzyme that demolishes these free radicals. Free radicals are responsible for the development of multiple diseases caused by oxidative stress.

Boosts the Immune System

The vitamin C and copper in this grass are responsible for boosting the immune system. They increase the body’s resistance to infections, like the common cold and cough. They also fight off stress and fatigue. Regular intake of barley grass balances the optimal production of the body’s immune cells.

Combats Cancer

This green superfood contains both preventive and curative effect against cancer cells. It has the ability to decompose and neutralize toxic hydrogen peroxide effects. This also protects human tissue cells against carcinogens. It is especially effective in fighting against breast cancer.

Detoxifies the Body

Barley grass rids harmful heavy metals from the body. It also eliminates waste materials, such as crystallized acids and mucus. Its chlorophyll content provides an abundance of oxygen and a healthy blood flow. This is responsible for the removal of harmful impurities and toxins.

Protects from Radiation

Another benefit this superfood offers is that it protects against the harmful effects of UV radiation. This is especially prevalent in the urban areas. It also defends the body from the effects of radioactivity and renews damaged cells and tissues. It is recommended to take in barley grass juice before and after after taking x-rays in order to shield the body from the radioactive damages.

Treats Ulcerative Colitis

Barley grass has a stimulating effect to the gut-friendly bacteria. It helps ease inflammation and other symptoms associated with ulcerative colitis. This type of greens also balances the fluidity in the bowel. It also eliminates dangerous toxins from the body.

Helps Fight Addictions

Trying to stay on a strict no-sweets diet, but can’t seem to fight your sweet tooth? Try incorporating barley grass juice into your diet! It is effective in fighting a myriad of addictions. The glutamic acid in barley grass curbs the craving for coffee, alcohol, drugs, nicotine, and yes, sweets!

Aids in Weight Loss

It’s not easy being overweight. It can lead to other problems, like breathing problems, joint pains, cancer, diabetes, and heart diseases.

Barley grass helps lose weight. It has insoluble fiber, which makes you feel fuller. This prohibits you from eating more food. It balances your blood sugar levels, preventing hunger pangs and in-between-meal cravings.

Prevents Asthma

Plenty of young children experience childhood asthma. Some of them then get other more serious health problems as they grow up because of it. Taking in barley grass alleviates its symptoms and prevents asthma from developing. Its antioxidants and vitamins A and E content normalizes and controls breathing as well.

Manages Diabetes

Diabetes is quite rampant in the world we live in. People get diagnosed with this disease as early as three years old.

Well, one way to manage diabetes is by taking in barley grass. Diabetics benefit from it since it has beta-glucan. This is a  soluble fiber that slows down glucose absorption. Barley grass also manages blood sugar levels.

Type 2 diabetes mellitis is the most common type of diabetes among adults. In a 2010 study, it showed that the experimental group taking barley grass supplements had lower blood sugar levels. There was also a reduction in overall cholesterol levels.

Promotes Bone Health

Barley grass contains 11 times more calcium than milk. It also contains copper, manganese, and niagen. These four factors form the basis
to keep the body’s bones in better condition and promote bone production.

Barley grass is even safe for young children. Because kids’ bodies naturally keep growing, the earlier they take in barley grass, the better their bone development.

Improves Skin Health

This healthy superfood keeps the skin looking youthful and healthy. Since it has quercetin, it definitely improves the skin’s condition. It maintains the skin’s elasticity and prevents the development of folds of loose skin.

In addition, it protects the skin from external factors, like wind, cold air, pollution, and harmful UV rays.

Repairs DNA

Our DNA is constantly changing, sometimes not in the way we want it to. These changes are due to stress, the food we eat, pollutants, etc. Changing DNA leads to premature aging, sterility, genetic abnormalities, and, in women, unhealthy pregnancy.

Yoshihide Hagiwara, a Japanese physician and pharmacist, has spent over 10 years doing research on barley grass. He has found that it can repair and strengthen the body’s DNA. The intake of its juice can definitely avoid these negative side effects from occurring.