Barley
is a cereal grain native to Asia that was one of the first grains to get widely
cultivated. Due to its lower gluten content, barley only gets used in a limited
number of bread recipes. As a result, fewer people in developed countries
consume barley today. Despite this, the discovery that barley is high in
beta-glucan has led to its use in health-promoting food products, particularly
foods tailored to cardiovascular health.
Its health benefits include the following:
·
It
is rich in vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial plant compounds.
·
It
contains lignans, a group of antioxidants linked to a lower risk of cancer and
heart disease.
·
It
can boost your intestinal health.
·
Beta-glucans
may help lower your cholesterol levels.
·
It
may help reduce your risk of type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels and
improving insulin secretion.