This grain is one of the oldest grains used by humans. Barley was first used by humans in Egypt about 10,000 years ago. Late in the 15th Century it was brought to the Americas by Columbus, but barley has never gained the same popular use in the USA as other grains such as wheat and oats. Recently a number of barley’s exciting health benefits have been discovered that have particular relevance for senior health. It turns out that barley is loaded with phytochemicals, minerals and fiber that can provide preemptive aging benefits against a range of diseases. Those benefits include protection against cancer, cardiovascular disease, and unbalanced blood sugar levels.
One of the components in barley that makes it rank as a super food is a particular kind of soluble fiber known as beta-glucan. Beta-glucan is a fiber that we can not digest. It binds with water in our digestive system and slows the rate at which food moves through the digestive system. By slowing down the movement of food through our digestive system it moderates the body’s insulin and glucose responses following a meal. Among the top two grains that provide the most beta-glucan barley ranks above oats. This high beta-glucan content makes whole grain barley a super food in terms of helping folks who suffer from diabetes, because it reduces the peak glucose and insulin levels. Barley can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by promoting healthy blood lipid levels. Other components in Barley that add to its standing as a super food are its phytonutrients known as lignans. The lignans have been shown to reduce the risk of certain cancers such as breast cancer and prostate cancer.