14 Nutritional Benefits of Barley Tea One Should Know

Updated on February 20th, 2020
health benefits of barley tea (2)

Barley tea; the new internet trend yet an age-old remedy that has been used for several centuries. This tea has been praised for its benefits, many of which are still being discovered. It has been in use for centuries and had been the most commonly administered medicine in the days of old.

Barley tea is a staple drink in the Asian continents such as China, Japan, and Korea Called maicha, mugicha, and boricha respectively, The organic barley tea is consumed hot, to retain its amazing health benefits.

Nutrition Facts of Barley Tea

Barley is rich in dietary fibrous content, folate, potassium, sodium, vitamins A, B6, and C, (carbohydrates, sugars and minerals like calcium and iron.

The tea also contains trace amounts of saturated, polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats.

It is rich in amino acids and potent antioxidants as well. This tea is rich in powerful antioxidants which makes it highly beneficial for health.

The mild aroma of the tea calms the senses and induces a sound and comfortable slumber. It is highly effective for people suffering from insomnia(1).

It is also beneficial for the natural treatment of urinary tract infection, oral problems, common cold, flu, and respiratory disorders. It provides protection against cancer and helps as a stress reliever. This tea keeps the body detoxified and prevents renal and hepatic troubles.

It aids in digestion and maintains a healthy gastrointestinal tract. It helps to preserve cardiac health and lowers the risk of cholesterol. Besides, this tea is one of the most beneficial beverages for pregnant women.

How to Prepare Barley Tea?

This tea is an herbal tea infusion that is prepared from the whole kernels of barley which are roasted to a dark brown and then simmered in boiling water.

Barley Tea Recipe:

  • To prepare barley tea, add water and barley into a container and then put the contents on a boil.
  • Lower the flame. Cover the pot and let the tea for simmer for about 5-6 minutes.
  • Strain the liquid out and sweeten it with a teaspoon of honey. Your organic barley tea is ready.

Benefits

This tea benefits health in innumerable ways. Elucidated below are a handful of health benefits of organic barley tea.

1. Prevention of Cancer

The tea benefits health with effective prevention of cancer. It induces the apoptosis of cells afflicted with cancer. This makes it an effective natural way of controlling the spread of cancer.

The action of apoptosis is triggered by the antioxidant phytonutrients which help in the prevention of metastasis and delays the growth and spread of malignant tumors.

These antioxidants have the ability to neutralize the toxic free radicals which are released into the system as a byproduct of cellular metabolism and cause immense oxidative damage to the body.

They destroy these cancerous free radicals and inhibit the metastasis of cancer-afflicted cells with its potent anti-carcinogenic properties.

2. Healthy Digestion

Barley tea benefit for healthy digestion
Image:ShutterStock

Our digestive tract suffers from a constant bombardment of toxins which damages the tract with food poisoning, oversecretion of acid and acidity. The tea helps to heal the damage inflicted upon the gastrointestinal tract and ensures the proper nutritional absorption of food.

It fights against toxins and enhances body immunity and nourishment. It also aids in the preservation of digestive health and prevents flatulence, bloating and abdominal cramps.

3. Internal Inflammation

The tea is highly beneficial for the inflammation of skin tissues in case of viral infection because of its anti-inflammatory properties. It also cures indigestion and acidity by protecting the stomach from getting inflamed from hypersecretion

Furthermore, It protects the cardiac system by the elimination of toxins. This tea heals intestinal inflammation and protects the gastrointestinal tract from oxidative stress.

4. Stronger Immune System

The antioxidants in this tea are richly beneficial for the enhancement of body immunity. It is diaphoretic in nature which helps in the reduction of body temperature in high fevers and thus facilitates a quicker recovery.

The anti-inflammatory components of barley soothe the respiratory tract. It effectively cures a common cold, flu, sore throat and chest congestion and strengthens body immunity by destroying the toxic free radicals thus protecting the body from oxidative damage.

5. Weight Loss

Roasted barley tea benefits for weight loss

Daily consumption of barley tea is highly beneficial for the shedding of excess body weight. It possesses the ability to reduce the level of triglycerides in the body.

This helps in the rapid loss of excess body weight.  The tea when paired with a balanced diet and proper exercise for weight loss.

6. Skin Cancer

As mentioned earlier the tea is rich in antioxidants that fight against poisonous free radicals, protect the skin from damage caused by the UV rays of the sun, repair broken skin tissues and thus prevent the skin from getting afflicted by cancer.

The tea benefits for skin include prevention of skin cancer (2), protection against dry skin, premature aging, acne, and other such skin issues.

7. Pregnancy

Barley tea benefits for pregnancy

The period of pregnancy is characterized by morning sickness, nausea, fatigue, backaches, breathlessness, insomnia and high levels of stress.

A cup of this tea could benefit the general health of women during pregnancy by preventing the above-mentioned symptoms that recur during the gestation period.

It curbs nausea and its analgesic properties provide relief from pain. Barley fulfills the daily need for minerals like potassium, calcium, iron, and magnesium. Its rich fibrous content prevents hemorrhoids and constipation in pregnant women.

The niacin in barley aids in healthy digestion and facilitates labor and delivery of the baby. The glycemic index of barley tea is just perfect for the prevention of gestational diabetes.

Barley is rich in folic acid which is highly essential for avoiding defects in the neural tube-like spinal Bifida, cleft lip and more. The diuretic nature of barley provides relief from urinary tract infection during pregnancy.

The tea reduces the risks of internal inflammation and flushes the toxins out of the system. Barley is lactogenic in nature which aids in the secretion of milk post-pregnancy.

8. Stress and Anxiety

The symptoms of stress and anxiety include panic attacks, social anxiety, phobias, and general worry. It is characterized by insomnia, uneasiness, palpitations, muscle cramps, hypoventilation, nausea, and nervous breakdowns.

The tea soothes the tensed nerves and relaxes the cramped muscles. The anxiolytic effect of the tea benefits in the elimination of stress and anxiety with ease.

Regular consumption of the tea keeps the level of cortisol (popularly known as the stress hormone) under control in the body and pumps healthy blood circulation. This helps in the release of excess stress and anxiety and makes the mind and body feel refreshed and healthy.

9. Insomnia

Barley tea benefits for sleep

Consumption of this tea before going to bed is highly beneficial for health. It constitutes amino acids, melatonin, and tryptophan that helps in establishing definite sleeping patterns. Being devoid entirely of caffeine, the tea better helps to induce sound and deep sleep.

Mugicha acts as an effectual sedative and is especially beneficial for sleep when consumed before going to bed. For the natural treatment of insomnia and parasomnia, the consumption of this tea helps in inducing a deep and sound slumber. The tea aids in the regulation of the person’s sleeping pattern and induces a fixed sleep cycle.

10. Detoxification

Heavy metals and toxins wreak severe oxidative damage to our physiology. Roasted barley tea benefits the detoxification of blood through the elimination of several different antigens like dioxins, heterocyclic amines, and strontium and methyl-mercury. It destroys the poisonous free radicals with its potent antioxidant nature.

The process of detoxification is executed through the enhancement of antioxidant activities of the liver. The toxins are then rendered harmless and removed from the body through excretion. The tea is rich in powerful antioxidants that aid in repairing oxidative damage throughout the entire body.

11. Renal Health

 Organic barley tea benefits for renal health

The tea is known for its detoxifying and diuretic properties. Regular consumption of the tea promotes healthy renal functioning.

It prevents the kidneys from excessive secretion of harmful components like uric acid and creatinine. Barley tea aids in the dissolution of kidney stones and maintains smooth renal functioning

12. The Prostate Gland

The tea is richly supplied with selenium which is highly essential for male fertility. The mineral aids in the preservation of the health of the prostate gland. It can prevent the affliction of the prostate gland with cancer.

13. Cardiac Health

Cardiovascular diseases often result from the hardening of arteries which puts pressure on cardiac functioning as the heart has to work harder to pump blood through the stiffened arteries. The tea helps in the elimination of bad cholesterol from the body which helps to decrease the stiffness of arteries.

Barley is also known for the stabilization of blood pressure. The tea aids in the prevention of cardiac diseases by ensuring the healthy circulation of blood throughout the body.

It effectively prevents the deposition of cholesterol in blood vessels. This protects the individual from atherosclerosis. Regular consumption of organic barley tea helps to lower cholesterol naturally and prevent cardiac disorders(3).

14. Menstruation

A cup of this tea if consumed daily can regulate the menstrual cycle and do away with irregularities, delays, and obstructions. Barley delays the onset of menopause and keeps the cycle going at a regular pace.

Barley tea is known to cure the symptoms of the menstrual and premenstrual syndrome like abdominal cramps, headache, nausea, mood swings, fatigue and premenstrual bloating. Its soothing and anti-spasmodic properties ease the pain of menstrual bleeding

Side Effects

A few grave side effects of this tea are enlisted below.

  1. Barley is rich in soluble fibrous content, often causes an intestinal condition named flatus.
  2. Barley water can cause diarrhea.
  3. The tea can cause chronic constipation along with rectal bleeding.
  4. Barley contains contaminants like Ochratoxin and Trichothecium Roseum which adversely affect physiological functioning.
  5. Barley water can cause allergic reactions that appear in the form of skin rashes, hives, inflammation, etc.
  6. The tea may trigger asthmatic reactions
  7. Barley is extremely high in gluten content which leads to the occurrence of celiac disease.

FAQs

1. Is It Good to Drink Barley Water Daily?

Yes, barley water can be taken on a daily basis for obtaining the maximum health benefits.

2. Does Barley Tea Have Caffeine?

It is devoid of caffeine and is therefore highly beneficial for the natural treatment of insomnia. It induces a sound and deep slumber when taken before going to bed because of its caffeine-free nature.

3. Can Barley Upset Your Stomach?

Barley is laxative in nature and its rich fibrous content can effectively cure constipation. However, over-consumption can cause stomach troubles similar to diarrhea.

4. Can Barley Be Eaten Raw?

Barley can be eaten raw however only if the grains are soaked and made to evolve into its sprouted form.

5. Is Barley Tea Good for Weight Loss?

Yes, barley tea is good for weight loss. It is low in calorie thus, is much better than other sugar-loaded drinks. Further, its high fiber content keeps you full for longer reducing your food craving and reducing unnecessary calorie intake. Also, the presence of antioxidants in tea increases body metabolism that promotes weight loss.

6. Is Barley Tea Good for Diabetics?

People with diabetes should avoid taking barley tea as barley is known to lower blood sugar levels in the body. Increased fluctuation may put you at risk. Further, it may also interfere with your medications. One must consult a doctor before including barley tea in the diet.

7. Does Barley Tea Aid in Sleep?

Yes, barley tea helps in inducing sleep. The presence of melatonin and tryptophan make it an excellent aid for sleep as the compounds trigger the release of neurotransmitters in your brain that help you in falling asleep. Those who are suffering from insomnia or other sleep troubles should drink barley tea to enjoy a sound sleep.

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