Barley - the benefits and harms for weight loss, diet and diet cereals with recipes. Barley: benefit and harm. Is it good for the body


Barley is a type of processed barley. Pearl barley is obtained by removing bran from barley, shelling and steaming. The degree of cleaning of cereals can vary - the more they clean the cereal, the less useful properties it will retain.

Pearl barley is often used as a garnish. It is added to salads, soups and desserts. This cereal can be eaten both hot and cold.

Pearl barley has fewer useful properties than whole barley.

Barley composition

Pearl barley contains antioxidants and a lot of fiber. Chemical composition 100 gr. pearl barley as a percentage of daily allowance presented below.

Vitamins:

  • B3 - 10%;
  • B1 - 6%;
  • B6 - 6%;
  • B2 - 4%;
  • B9 - 4%.

Pearl barley is used in cooking, medicine and cosmetology. It improves immunity, improves skin condition, prevents osteoporosis, heart and intestinal diseases. And that's not all beneficial features barley.

Barley is good for bones due to its rich mineral composition. Insufficient intake of these substances can lead to bone loss.

Copper in barley reduces symptoms rheumatoid arthritis. It is essential for the flexibility of bones and joints.

high blood pressure and high level cholesterol provoke the development cardiovascular diseases. Soluble fibers in pearl barley reduce the level bad cholesterol and increase the level of good, as well as normalize blood pressure.

Pearl barley is a source of vitamin B3, which protects the heart and blood vessels. Groats prevent strengthens the walls blood vessels, reduces the number of platelets and lowers cholesterol levels.

Barley copper is needed to support cognitive functions in old age, the health of the nervous system and the production of red blood cells. The manganese in pearl barley is important for brain health and strengthening the nervous system.

Antioxidants and selenium in pearl barley reduce the likelihood of asthma, which is accompanied by a narrowing of the airways.

Barley eliminates constipation and diarrhea, and also relieves bloating and increased gas formation. It reduces inflammation and symptoms of ulcerative colitis.

Groats increase height beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract. This is important for maintaining a healthy balance and boosting probiotic activity.

Pearl barley contains selenium, which is important for the metabolism of thyroid hormones.

in the kidneys and gallbladder stones can form, which eventually lead to pain and require removal. Fiber in pearl barley prevents their occurrence and protects the urinary system from illness. It not only speeds up the transit time of food through the intestines, but also reduces the secretion of bile acids, an excessive amount of which leads to the formation of stones.

Barley contains selenium. It improves the health of the skin and hair, and also restores metabolic processes by saturating the cells with oxygen. Barley helps to maintain the elasticity of the skin, protects it from early aging.

Pearl barley protects against cancer and slows down its development. Selenium stimulates the production of substances necessary to fight cancer cells.

Barley for diabetes

The magnesium and soluble fiber in barley protect against diabetes and reduce the risk of developing it by lowering blood sugar levels and improving insulin production. binds to water and other molecules as it passes through digestive tract slowing down the absorption of sugar into the blood. Therefore, moderate consumption of barley is useful in diabetes.

Barley for weight loss

Eating pearl barley reduces hunger and provides a feeling of satiety, which will lead to weight loss over time. This is due to fiber. It slows down digestion and absorption nutrients. Moreover, soluble fiber affects abdominal fat, which is indicative of a metabolic disorder.

This cereal is traditionally one of the cheapest. Partly for this reason, porridge from it is often found on the menu of many state institutions: kindergartens, schools, hospitals, army units. The very dubious fame of pearl barley as a state-owned dish unfairly replaced another, much more noble one, which has a lot of amazing properties.

After all, its calorie content is minimal, and the value for the body is very high! It's time to separate the wheat from the chaff and find out what is the benefit and what is the harm of such a plain-looking, but noticeably health-enhancing barley.

Pearl barley is the result of processing barley grain. It is polished several times, removing the flower film and the shells protecting the seed. At the same time barley loses some properties, but it boils much faster and is better absorbed by the body.

This cereal does not take root in every modern kitchen - which is a pity. It retains many of the qualities of barley, whose health benefits are undeniable. It is very nutritious (it is no coincidence that it was barley porridge that supported the gladiators ancient rome before the fights), while its high calorie content certainly cannot be called. For weight loss - the very first product!

Vitamin and mineral composition call meager language does not turn. In barley almost in full force vitamins of group B were found, as well as A, E, D, PP, K. Yes, and there are a lot of macro- and microelements. Indispensable for the heart of potassium in 100 g of cereals - 280 mg, and phosphorus - 221 mg.

Therefore, it must be included in the diet of those who, for example, are contraindicated for seafood. A lot of cereals and zinc: 2.13 mg per 100 g barley. So it turns out that barley porridge cooked for breakfast provides a quarter daily requirement organisms in this trace element. Other components of cereals include selenium, copper, iron, as well as two dozen amino acids, of which eight are essential.

We study the benefits

Two to three servings of barley porridge per week is enough to nourish the body with mass. useful substances and arm him in the fight against many ailments. The benefits of such a breakfast or dinner are very tangible.

Judge for yourself:

  • selenium, a powerful antioxidant, helps to cope with the growth of cancer cells;
  • lysine has antiviral action and participates in the production of collagen, protecting our skin from the influence of time and the effects of negative external factors;
  • phosphorus increases mental activity and participates in metabolic processes;
  • fiber is the most valuable component of pearl barley. Its benefit is that it absorbs toxins and toxins like a sponge and gently removes them from the body, which has a beneficial effect on liver function;
  • gordecin, contained in grains, has an antifungal and antibacterial effect;
  • dietary fiber reduces dangerous cholesterol in the blood and gently cleanse the blood vessels;
  • silicic acid destroys stones, sand and slag formations in the kidneys, urinary and gallbladder and removes them from the body, to which they cause undoubted harm;
  • beta-glucan helps maintain blood sugar levels, making barley one of the most recommended foods for diabetes. Its influence is also beneficial because barley's calorie content is minimal;
  • E, the famous vitamin of youth, improves the condition of the skin, nails, hair, heals the body. Germinated pearl barley is especially rich in it;
  • Vitamin A is the guardian of eye health;
  • vitamin D is included in bone tissue, maintains the strength of the skeleton, strengthens teeth, nails and bones.

Assessing the harm

Of course, a plate of barley for breakfast or dinner will not cause any tangible harm. And its calorie content is such that you should not be afraid for the figure.

  • increased acidity of the stomach is a sure signal that barley should not be included in the diet;
  • ardent love for her can cause constipation, so for people suffering from poor bowel function, porridge is more likely to harm than benefit;
  • Gluten, a component of many grains, can be a strong allergen for some people. Therefore, before including pearl barley dishes on the menu, you should make sure that the body does not react to it;
  • at future mother barley can cause intestinal upset;

Everything is good in moderation! Two or three servings of pearl barley dishes are more than enough for it to be useful, and not cause serious harm body.

We cook the right barley porridge

Skillfully prepared pearl barley is soft, with a delicate nutty flavor. Recipes from it can be found in any cookbook. Barley is good in a hodgepodge beloved by many, and in cabbage rolls, and as a side dish with a spicy vegetable or meat sauce. Sprouted barley is great in salads. But lush and appetizing barley porridge is incomparable with anything. It is both tasty and nutritious, and its benefits are great, and the harm is practically not noticeable, and the calorie content is low, and suitable for weight loss.

Cooking porridge for glory is only at first glance a simple matter. And to be fair, how many hostesses, so many of their own culinary tricks.

Some prefer the classic recipes for how to cook it: a glass of cereal washed in several waters is poured with three glasses of water, brought to a boil, and left to sweat for 6-7 minutes. Then the porridge is washed again under running water, poured with two glasses of water and boiled over low heat for about half an hour.

Manipulations with water can be minimized: pour a glass of barley with three glasses of water and let it come up for 50-60 minutes over low heat. Do not forget to stir the contents of the saucepan periodically so that the porridge turns out crumbly and does not burn to the bottom.

Well known and perhaps one of the most quick ways treat loved ones with porridge piping hot. To do this, pour a glass of cereal with five glasses of water, let it boil, reduce the heat to a minimum and cook for 45 minutes. After the water is drained, add a piece of butter and, wrapping, let the porridge reach for another 10-15 minutes.

However, no matter how you decide to cook this most useful and amazing tasty dish It is important to remember a few rules. Firstly, this cereal boils for a very long time, so it is best to soak it in advance in water - several hours, ideally - all night. Barley oil is a must.

Moreover, if your menu includes sweet porridge with sugar and fruits, it is better to add a piece of cream. Would you like a barley side dish with meat or vegetables for dinner? Pour in a couple of tablespoons of vegetable. The calorie content of porridge will increase slightly, but the value will also increase.

Learning to choose cereals

This complex matter has its own subtleties.

Remember, that:

  • high-quality groats - a delicate golden brown hue. And no black spots!
  • grains should not stick together: grains sticking together in a lump are a sure sign of improper storage, non-compliance with all required rules. You can’t eat it for anything: one harm from it, not good;
  • you should always pay attention to the barley production date stamped on the package and specified period validity. Usually cereals are stored for a short time, only a few months;
  • if you buy cereals by weight, sniff them: there should be no sourness or rancidity in the aroma! This is evidence that they are trying to sell you a stale product.

Each pearl barley contains a great benefit inherent in it by nature itself. It would be unwise to ignore her gifts!

Pearl barley is a peeled, polished barley grain without outer shell so that it cooks faster. Grows in more diverse climatic conditions than other cereals. Barley is good to add to soups and goulash, as it not only adds flavor and texture to dishes, but also thickens them. Can be cooked on its own (one part grain to three parts water - boil 45-60 minutes) as an alternative to rice, pasta or potatoes. Malted barley extract is made from sprouted barley grains.

Pearl barley is a large-ground barley that has undergone industrial processing. The first mention of the use of barley in food dates back to the times ancient egypt(4500 years). Barley is widely used in brewing.

The first mention of barley is found in the Bible, and there were as many as twenty times. In the old days, pearl barley porridge was considered food worthy only of royalty. For the royal table, pearl barley was certainly soaked for twelve hours, then boiled in milk, languished in the oven, and before serving it was seasoned with heavy cream. Subsequently barley firmly entered the soldier's menu.


Useful properties of pearl barley

Pearl barley is very rich in amino acids. For example, it has a high content of lysine, which is involved in the production of collagen, which helps slow down the appearance of wrinkles and helps keep our skin smooth and supple.

Barley is also rich in trace elements and vitamins. The cereal contains a lot of potassium, iron and calcium. There are also such elements: copper, zinc, manganese, molybdenum, cobalt, strontium, iodine, chromium, bromine, and also phosphorus. A set of vitamins can "envy" any other cereal. Just like oatmeal, barley is quite rich in B vitamins and ,,, PP.

By the amount of fiber barley is much superior to all respected wheat. The protein contained in pearl barley is superior in nutritional value to wheat grain protein.

Barley is a powerful antioxidant; it contains three times more selenium than rice.

Barley also contains natural antibacterial substances: from the water that remained after soaking barley, an antibiotic substance, hordecin, was isolated, which is used to treat skin affected by a fungus.

A decoction of pearl barley has medicinal properties and is an excellent emollient, antispasmodic, enveloping, diuretic and anti-inflammatory agent. With the help of barley, diseases of the mammary glands, constipation, obesity, coughs and colds were treated in the old days.

From pearl barley, as well as from oatmeal, you can prepare slimy and pureed soups for mechanically and chemically sparing diets. A decoction of barley (pearl barley) is useful for liver diseases, increases lactation in nursing mothers, has a softening, enveloping, soothing, blood-purifying, diuretic, expectorant, tonic effect. A decoction of malt inhibits the growth of tumors in initial stage, and also helps to establish a metabolism in the body, therefore it is recommended for people prone to overweight and obesity. For treatment, grains and malt (flour from germinated barley) are used.


Dangerous properties of pearl barley

It is not advisable to abuse barley for pregnant women because of the content of gluten in it, which can harm the unborn baby. Also barley porridge causes increased gas formation therefore, it should not be abused by people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and

No wonder our glorious great-grandfathers considered barley porridge royal dish. It has a blood-purifying, diuretic, enveloping action. Recommended for diseases of the gallbladder, genitourinary system, liver. It normalizes the work of the gastrointestinal tract, prevents oncological ailments, and contributes to an excellent mood.

Compound. The content of vitamins, micro and macro elements in pearl barley

Polished barley grains, which look like pearls, contain a huge range of useful components, which allows them to surpass other cereals in terms of healing properties for our body. Looking at the numbers, it is easy to understand why it is called the queen of cereals, what is the use of pearl barley for children and adults.

Table No. 1 The content of vitamins in 100 g of pearl barley

vitamins Content
Retinol (Vitamin A) 0.014 mg
Thiamin (vitamin B1) 0.11 mg
Riboflavin (vitamin B2) 0.07 mg
Pantothenic acid(vitamin B3) 4.4 mg
Choline (Vitamin B4) 37.7 mg
Pantothenic Acid (Vitamin B5) 0.6 mg
Pyridoxine (vitamin B6) 0.37 mg
Folic acid (vitamin B9) 24 mcg
Alpha Tocopherol (Vitamin E) 1.2 mg
Phylloquinone (vitamin K) 0.003 mg

Table No. 2 The content of trace elements in 100 g of pearl barley

trace elements Content
Zinc 0.8 mg
Iron 1.7 mg
Manganese 0.6 mg
Copper 0.2 mg
Fluorine 60 mcg
Chromium 12.4 mcg
Molybdenum 12.6 mcg
Cobalt 1.7 mcg

Table No. 3 The content of macronutrients in 100 g of pearl barley

Calorie content. How many calories in 100 gr. product?

0.1 kg of the most valuable product contains 315 kcal (fats - 9.8 kcal, proteins - 37.2 kcal, carbohydrates - 267.5 kcal).

The benefits and beneficial properties of pearl barley for human health

The huge benefit of barley groats for a child and an adult lies not only in the variety of nutrients, but also in the optimal ratio of protein and digestible carbohydrates, a large amount of fiber and low starch content.

"River pearls" have a number of medicinal properties, including

  • emollient;
  • antibacterial;
  • diuretic;
  • antispasmodic;
  • antiviral;
  • antipyretic;
  • anthracite;
  • enveloping;
  • antibacterial.

Porridge is useful for the body with pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, since it is able to envelop the stomach, fill cracks, absorb poisons and harmful substances, cleanse the internal epithelium of the intestine, improve the absorption of useful components.

Medicinal properties

The healing properties of barley porridge appear during various ailments, especially if the application pharmaceuticals not shown for some reason.

It will help improve:

  • with inflammation of the liver of the kidneys;
  • with diabetes;
  • with fungal, viral and colds infections;
  • with prostatitis;
  • with hepatitis;
  • with arthritis;
  • with hemorrhoids;
  • with oncological diseases;
  • with a runny nose, sore throat, cough.

Nicotinic acid "monitors" the amount of cholesterol in the blood, improves the functioning of the nervous system. Vitamin D is important for the functioning of the musculoskeletal system, takes part in the formation of the skeleton. Pantothenic acid, choline and other B vitamins are able to saturate the body with energy, accelerate the production of hemoglobin, and improve protein metabolism.

The inclusion of barley porridge on the water in your regular diet (especially for breakfast) is a great way to get rid of constipation during pregnancy, increase the body's resistance to colds at breastfeeding.

Miracle barley during breastfeeding helps nursing mothers improve the quality of milk, protect the baby from viral infections, beriberi. In old age, a valuable product improves mood, can slow down the aging process.

Benefits for men

For the strong half, it is important that barley is rich energy product because it contains a lot of protein. It is ideal for significant physical activity, allows you to be in great shape athletes, for many decades it has been used in the diet of military personnel.

Doctors note that the unrestrained eating of barley dishes can lower libido in men.

Benefits for Women

The benefits of barley porridge for female beauty long been discovered by physicians. The lysine contained in barley accelerates the production of collagen, which has a positive effect on the youth and radiance of the skin, as well as on the strength of teeth, strands, and nails.

The substance gordecin endows barley grains with antifungal and antibacterial properties. Vitamin E promotes smoothing of small furrows, skin rejuvenation. A decoction of healing barley is effective for constipation, has a beneficial effect on the health of the mammary glands during breastfeeding.

The phosphorus included in the composition is invaluable for the health of women during menopause. The element allows you to activate and normalize the functioning endocrine system, increase metabolism, which smoothes unpleasant symptoms this period - excessive sweating, irritability, hot flashes. Selenium is the most powerful antioxidant.

Advice: Grind barley in a blender, add a few tablespoons of olive and linseed oil. Apply the mixture on rough and cracked heels - they will become soft and smooth.

In Rus', beautiful girls looked after their faces with the help of steamed and pounded barley seasoned with honey, butter or sour milk. The face received good nutrition, a healthy and gentle blush appeared on the cheeks.

Recipes for female beauty:

Recipe 1 for smooth skin. Grind 3 tbsp. spoons of barley using a coffee grinder. Add whipped protein and gruel from the mashed pulp of the tomato. Apply to the face for 15 minutes.

Recipe 2 to get rid of blackheads. Rub 2 tbsp. spoons of hot barley porridge with 1 teaspoon of honey, a pinch sea ​​salt, 3-4 drops of oil tea tree. The duration of the mask is 15-20 minutes.

What are the benefits for children?

What is the use of pearl barley for children? With its help, it is easy to saturate the growing children's body useful substances that are important for its full development. IN winter time barley porridge in meat broth, water or milk will help strengthen the immune system, protect against frequent colds.

The lysine contained in the grains has an antiviral effect in herpes. Selenium eliminates muscle weakness, prevents the occurrence of diathesis, tonsillitis. Zinc is involved in construction muscle tissue, protects the children's body from infections, promotes the elimination of toxins. Vitamin A improves memory and vision in children, and is also important for the formation of the skeleton.

Important: For children under the age of three, nutritious barley porridge should be included in the diet after consultation with the pediatrician.

The benefits of pearl barley for weight loss (with a diet)

Barley porridge on the water is enough effective way lose those annoying pounds. It will easily provide the body with useful components without overloading with unnecessary calories.

For seven days of a pearl barley diet, you can easily “lose” 5-7 kilograms. At the same time, the digestion process will improve, the body will be cleansed of poisons and toxins. The skin will become elastic, acquire softness and silkiness.

You will feel energized while studying or working because slow carbohydrates digested and absorbed for a long time, which allows you to feel full.

Benefits and harms during pregnancy

Inexpensive dietary product allows female body during pregnancy, get rid of beriberi, make up for the lack of trace elements.

Important: Barley dishes contain a large number of zinc, iron, magnesium, potassium and lysine, which is extremely important for the body when carrying a baby.

Expectant mothers don't have to worry about excess weight, since the fiber contained in it minimizes body fat, perfectly fights toxins and toxins, effectively helps with constipation.

A significant amount of phosphorus is important for the formation of the bone mass of the child. Vitamin A stands guard over female beauty - it protects teeth from destruction, strengthens strands, and improves the condition of the skin. Vitamin PP is a reliable helper of the body in the fight against "bad" cholesterol.

For the liver

Barley has a positive effect on the cleansing organ, promotes quick recovery cells. At the same time, the menu should have a lot of fresh herbs, vegetables, fruits, which also help to free the liver from toxins and toxins.

For skin

Nutritionists note the benefits of barley porridge for youth and excellent skin condition, since it is rich in vitamin E. Tocopherol “cleanses” capillaries, protects red blood cells, participates in blood clotting processes, saturates cells with oxygen.

Lack of vitamin E leads to dryness and flaking of the epithelium, the appearance of ugly senile grooves and age spots, blackheads and pimples.

For heart

The healing properties of the queen of cereals enhance the effect of medicines in various pathologies heart muscle. This is due to the presence of potassium and magnesium, which reduce blood viscosity, prevent the formation of atherosclerotic plaques, maintain the elasticity of the walls of blood vessels, and also fill the myocardium with energy.

For muscles

With the help of inexpensive pearl barley, you can not only increase strength and endurance, but also build muscle mass. It is able to saturate the body with essential amino acids, proteins. Muscles will be in perfect order if you combine porridge with nuts, dried fruits, butter, milk or cream.

For diseases

With gastritis

A wonderful pearl barley will help improve digestion, get rid of hated pains. With gastritis, doctors are allowed to cook porridge, both in water and in milk. Be sure to consume the product warm.

Advice: For stomach ailments, including gastritis, eat porridge in a liquid and viscous form. They can be brought to the desired consistency with a blender.

With pancreatitis

With an inflammatory-degenerative process in the pancreas, it is important to use boiled porridge (in the form of heat) and barley decoction. They are famous for their tonic, enveloping antibacterial properties.

For diabetes

The daily presence of barley dishes in the diet of diabetics will help regulate blood sugar levels, improve metabolic processes, and reduce dangerous cholesterol.

Caution should be taken with the product if there is:

  • increased acidity of gastric juice;
  • tendency to constipation, flatulence;
  • individual intolerance.

Want to know how to cook fast healthy porridge with type 2 diabetes? Soak pearl barley in yogurt (kefir) for 2-3 hours - a liter of liquid is required for 1 glass of pearl barley. You can easily see that even barley, which is not loved by many, can be very tasty.

Harm and contraindication of barley for humans

The most useful barley can be harmful if used in excessive quantities. The problem lies in the special component gluten, which in large doses provokes the leaching of calcium from the body. This can provoke the development of rickets in young children, fragility and fragility of bones after 50 years.

Doctors recommend careful use of pearl barley with a tendency to frequent constipation, flatulence. Reduce the portion should be and exacerbation peptic ulcer, since coarse fiber creates an additional burden on the stomach.

With individual intolerance, barley porridge should be excluded from the diet.

Answers to popular questions

What is the best way to consume the product?

Pearl barley is unusually tasty and nutritious in pickles, cereals, soups, puddings. It is added to flour products and kissels. As a side dish, it goes perfectly with mushroom, meat and fish dishes. By adding pearl barley to goulash, you can not only give it a delicate aroma, but also thicken it.

Remarkable cereals can easily replace rice during the preparation of cabbage rolls. Since pearl barley perfectly holds water, the minced meat will not spread. For kids, barley porridge in milk with the addition of apples, quince, raisins, dried apricots is perfect. Light and delicious recipes quite easy to find on the web.

Advice: Pre-soak the cereal (at least 12 hours) before cooking various dishes - they will become more tender and juicy, you will save time on the cooking process.

How to cook a quick and tasty porridge for kids? Even picky children themselves will like barley porridge in milk, if you add apples, plums, cherry or cranberry juice, a couple of teaspoons of honey when cooking. Juice will give the porridge a pleasant sourness, and honey and fruits will complement the rich taste, fill it with aroma.

Rules for the use of pearl barley in food

Let's sum up the benefits of pearl barley

Barley has a beneficial effect on various body systems, including the process of hematopoiesis, hormonal background, cardiac muscle, nervous system. Doctors recommend using barley during breastfeeding, to strengthen bone tissue and improve visual acuity.

Dishes from "pearl" cereals strengthen the immune system, strengthen the nervous system, are an excellent natural product for prevention cancer activate the work of the brain.

Strengthen your health every day - include healthy, high-quality and healthy foods in your diet. the right products. "Beauty porridge" will allow you to feel cheerful and energetic, for many years to please loved ones with youth, beautiful appearance.

News that helps!

Cereal cereals are good for health due to high content proteins and vitamins, but barley porridge is often overlooked.

Barley porridge can be tasty and healthy, for this it needs to be cooked correctly.

After getting acquainted with this product and learning about what kind of barley porridge can be beneficial, each person will be able to cook it correctly.

Pearl barley is made from barley, currently exists three types of pearl barley:

Whole grains, which are peeled, such barley can be used to make soups, cereals and various fillings;

pearl barley "Dutch"- in the production of this type, barley grains are rolled into balls and freed from the outer segments, used to make cereals of a softer consistency;

Yachka - finely crushed barley groats that have not been polished.

Ordinary barley groats from whole, peeled and polished grains are most often used to make cereals.

Barley porridge: benefits and properties

Porridge falls into the hands of housewives after grinding and hauling, this retains the beneficial properties of barley. It contains enough fiber to normalize the work digestive system. Barley porridge benefits not only the gastrointestinal tract, but also others internal organs- thanks to the composition rich in microelements.

IN chemical composition barley porridge includes starchy compounds, due to which the viscosity and delicate texture of porridge are achieved, amino acids and proteins that affect saturation. Vitamins D, A, E and B-group affect overall well-being, as well as affect the health and beauty of hair, nails, teeth and skin. The calcium and iron included in the composition improve blood composition, and a significant amount of copper, phosphorus and iodine help metabolic processes.

The nutritional value uncooked cereal is 352 kilocalories per 100 grams.

A large amount of selenium (three times more than in rice) is necessary for the body in each of the situations described:

1. There is a high probability of developing oncological diseases;

2. It is required to protect cells from DNA mutations, to ensure normal growth and restoration of cells and tissues;

3. There is a need to improve the functioning of the pancreas;

4. There is a need to protect immune system and increase the body's ability to resist;

5. Regular intake of fat-soluble vitamins;

6. It is necessary to maintain vision (with regular weakening or after vision surgery);

Phosphorus helps regulate blood circulation And brain activity and also improves the digestibility of other important elements.

A large amount of lysine - an essential amino acid - keeps the heart working, participates in recovery processes. If you introduce two or three dishes of barley porridge into your weekly diet, the benefits for the body will be invaluable - useful substances will help prevent various diseases.

How to cook barley to save benefits

You can cook porridge different ways- keeping the barley useful and maximum amount micro and macro elements. The optimal recipe involves soaking. It is necessary to wash the cereal and pour ice water for a couple of hours - so that the cereal absorbs water and swells. Then the water is drained, barley is laid out in a saucepan and poured with boiling water - three cups of boiling water will be required per glass of cereal (not swollen). The pot is put on fire and boiled for an hour over low heat. For taste, barley porridge is salted, and for a delicate texture, add a little creamy or vegetable oil.

Barley can be prepared faster - a glass of cereal is poured with a liter cold water, after boiling, the boiling water is carefully drained and a liter of cold water is poured again and the porridge is cooked until tender. After all the liquid has evaporated, add a tablespoon of butter and leave the porridge to evaporate over the lid for a few minutes.

To make a healthy side dish out of barley porridge, you can add roasted onions and carrots to it. Meat, sausage, sausages, fried bacon or mushrooms are also added to the porridge.

Basic rules for making barley

Do not cook porridge over high heat, allowing it to boil. Heat and intense boiling destroys a large number of vitamins and microelements, moreover, the dish obtained as a result of intense boiling has a mild taste and a slimy texture.

Meat and any additives are added to the porridge after it is cooked.

The combination of barley porridge with honey, sugar or jam may seem unusual, but such porridge is no less tasty. Sweet cereal lovers can also add some condensed milk to their plate.

How to choose pearl barley

One of the important criteria right choice pearl barley - her appearance. The hostess in the store can evaluate the grains visually - the grains should be pleasant, golden-beige. A large number of dark blotches indicates that the rules for the tightness of the packaging were violated, such porridge cannot be bought. Also, in the package, the cereal should be crumbly, you should pay attention to the fact that the grains are not stuck together - this indicates that the porridge was subjected to high humidity at the second stage of processing.

If you want to buy barley by weight, then you can ask to smell the porridge - the smell should be pleasant, there should not be notes of stagnant cereals or rancidity. The shelf life of porridge varies from a year to a year and a half, so you need to pay attention to the expiration date.

Canned food with barley in the composition is often found on sale, such porridge can be consumed in the absence of other options. Such canned porridge should not be with a swollen or deformed jar.

The benefits and harms of barley porridge during pregnancy

During pregnancy, a woman must be responsible and attentive to everything that can affect the health and development of the fetus.

One of the main factors for a successful outcome and an adequate course of pregnancy is the correct balanced diet.

Doctors advise pregnant women to lean on fruits and vegetables, but in winter period there are few useful fresh fruits, most of the winter vegetables and fruits are grown by artificial methods, which significantly reduces the amount of nutrients in them. So for those who experience lack of nutrients, barley porridge is perfect.

The benefits of this porridge for the health and development of the fetus during pregnancy are undeniable - large amounts of potassium, calcium and phosphorus can fully fill the body's need for these micro and macro elements.

Barley porridge also benefits by the fact that removes toxins from the body- a large amount of fiber helps to mechanically cleanse the gastrointestinal tract, and the spongy texture acts as a chemical adsorbent, removing heavy metals and harmful substances.

However, barley can be harmful. Due to the rich chemical composition do not abuse this porridge. Also, people with high gastric acidity and frequent constipation.

Interesting facts about barley porridge

Barley porridge can minimize the harm from various poisonings, including when irradiated with a large dose of radioactive substances - it is enough to make a decoction of barley and drink a glass a day.

The barley from which this porridge is made has been grown for 5,000 years ago.

Barley was used as a measure of weight - five grains correspond to the weight of a carat. Three grains equals an inch.

Avicenna in his treatises emphasized the property of barley porridge to cleanse the body and remove the effects of allergens.

Soaking barley and barley porridge releases hordecin, an antibiotic that helps fight skin fungi.

Barley broth is widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of allergies, inflammation, skin diseases.

Barley is mentioned more than 20 times in the Bible.

Barley for weight loss: benefits and harms

The rich chemical composition allows you to use barley porridge for weight loss - and you can arrange several unloading days , eating one barley, or sit down on a long term diet by adjusting your diet.

A bunch of beneficial vitamins in barley porridge - the benefits are obvious. This means that porridge can become the basis for mono-diets and various fasting days. Some recommend not to boil barley, but to soak it - in this case, barley porridge will not cause harm, but it will also bring more benefits than cooked one.

If you use one pearl barley during the barley diet, then you can lose weight very quickly, but in this case, do not neglect the liquid and refuse water. It is also necessary to take into account the fact that barley porridge is very high in calories, and if you eat more than two or three plates a day, you can get gastrointestinal irritation and too many calories.

There is also the softest and gentlest way to lose weight by eating barley porridge. The benefits of this method are obvious - this is not a diet as such, but rather building a diet around one product. For example, you can eat barley porridge once a day, thereby filling the need for proteins and carbohydrates, and eat vegetables and lean meat at other meals.