Superfood Barley Grass and What “Greens” Can Really Do…

29. August, 2024(letzte Änderung)

Autor: Marc Sonderegger

“Young green barley”, also known as barley grass, is the latest “superfood” that originated in Asia and was brought across the pond by Hollywood. In the US, the plant is now being used for smoothies and more.

How useful is barley grass?

The use of green plants has a long tradition in alternative medicine and more recently in the functional food and supplement industry. They are considered “active ingredients” for our bodies.

Barley grass, like many other “greens”, contains many beneficial substances that have positive effects on human health. Various sources report positive effects on diabetes, obesity, cancer, inflammation and much more. A scientific study (Yamaura 2015) also shows stress-reducing effects in tests with mice.

The “green wonder” helps with digestion and the associated detoxification of the body (breakdown of toxic substances and free radicals).

It is also said to lower blood sugar and cholesterol levels and strengthen the body’s immune system. So barley grass certainly has some positive effects on the body, both on a physical and psychological level (although this still needs to be confirmed in humans).

What substances in barley grass are responsible for these effects?

In general, it contains a wide range of vitamins, antioxidants, and bioactive compounds. These are present in significant amounts:

Vitamins B1, B2, B6, Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc, Copper, Iron, Folic Acid, Pantothenic Acid, Chlorophyll. Other antioxidants include vitamins E and C, carotenoids, O-glycosyl-isovitexin, and the enzymes superoxide dismutase and catalase.

However, several factors have a major influence on the actual occurrence and especially the quantity of these listed substances: soil quality, harvesting technique, processing method, and age of the plant. The age of the plant is particularly important because green barley has the highest concentrations of the substances only for a short time at an age of about one week (15-20 cm plant height).

As a user, we have the option of using barley grass in powder, tablet or fresh form. As always, it is important to buy high quality. Some manufacturers also offer dried or chopped barley grass. Although this is cheaper, it is not as effective (as it is not as concentrated) and can also irritate the digestive tract.

If powder is used, the method of processing and subsequent preservation is important, as different processes are used. The pressed young green barley can be used first as a juice and then dried (30°C) or frozen (-18°C) or freeze-dried. The authors (Paulíčková et al. 2007) state that the best method of preservation is freezing. Freeze-drying had about 30% worse results in the content of antioxidants and other bioactive substances.

Barley has a long history in Europe!

Finally, something of general interest. The cultivation of barley has a long tradition in Europe. It is the second most important cereal in Switzerland.

However, most barley products come from the USA, Canada, Australia, China, New Zealand, etc. So there is nothing stopping you from making your own barley juice!

How to make your own barley juice

Buy barley seeds, a flower pot and some soil. Plant and wait. After about a week and a height of 15-20 cm, you can squeeze out the fresh barley juice and drink it.

If this is too complicated and time consuming for you, barley powder or tablets will do the job!

Want to learn more? Check out our free nutrition guide (GERMAN) for more healthy and valuable tips. Also, check out our Kitchen Workout cookbook for delicious (GERMAN) and healthy recipes that are easy to make.

Written by Adéla Rathovàs

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