Barley water has been consumed across the world for centuries. The ancient Greeks consumed kykeon, a drink made of water, barley and naturally occurring substances. The Brits’ version was made by boiling washed pearl barley, pouring the hot water over the rind or pulp of a lemon and adding fruit juice and sugar to taste. In Southeast Asia, the barley water may be drunk hot or cold and is often served with a spoon to scoop out the soft-boiled grains. India’s version, the Sattu, is extremely popular among Punjabis.
Benefits:
Maintains Heart Health
Barley water contains tocols, antioxidants that lower your cholesterol and clear artery blockages. Studies show its soluble fiber and niacin contents also contribute to its cholesterol management benefits. Maintaining good cholesterol levels and healthy blood vessel function can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and stroke.
Promotes Weight Loss
Since barley is an excellent source of fiber, barley water too retains this characteristic in some measure. It therefore proves to be a great option for those seeking to lose weight as it tends to fill you up for a longer time, thus cutting down on your food intake. Moreover, as it is good for digestion, it also stimulates the metabolism of fats. But this definitely doesn’t mean that you can indulge in fatty foods and expect barley water to work its magic.
Lowers Cholesterol and Blood Sugar
Being a good source of fiber and beta-glucans, barley water also works towards keeping a check on blood cholesterol (by inhibiting the absorption of LDL and triglycerides from food) and blood sugar (by improving insulin resistance). Moreover, it has anti-inflammatory properties which not only help in cooling the body but in protecting the heart as well.
Detoxifies Body
Barley water is an excellent way to flush out toxins from your system. This process is primarily triggered by a group of sugars called beta-glucans which are present in the cell walls of barley. It, therefore, helps in cleansing the internal system of the body.
Boon For Your Skin
Not many people know that drinking barley water is great for your skin. It gives a red glow to your face and makes it look healthy like never before. It also improves your skin texture and adds freshness to it.
Home Remedy For Urinary Tract Infections
If you’re suffering from UTI, then barley water is your one-stop solution. Drinking barley water is said to be a great natural remedy for urinary tract infections (UTIs). As it’s a natural diuretic, it increases urination and flushes out toxins from the body.
Prevents Kidney Stones
Kidney stones occur due to the accumulation of crystals in your kidneys that don’t get flushed out through normal urination. Drinking barley water prevents the formation of these crystals, thereby preventing kidney stones.
