With hectic routines and detrimental eating habits, it is proving difficult to maintain a healthy life style. This is a problem faced by people who are hard pressed for time. Their nutritional requirements are never met by the kind of meals they eat and when this becomes regular, the deficiency reaches a level which requires medical attention.
Foods which are healthy and take less time to prepare are needed. Barley is one of the oldest crops man cultivated. In some countries it is a staple food rather than a mere supplement. Barley lends a delicious flavor to foods it is used in so there are no problems consuming it.
Many health and nutrition studies established that over eating could also lead to increased rate of ageing. By consuming more and expending less, the metabolism has to process nutrients continuously; there is more wear and tear than warranted.
Barley is mainly consumed for its fiber content. The ability of barley to help maintain weight despite its high nutritional value can be attributed to two kinds of fiber components in it - The soluble and insoluble fiber. Soluble fiber in barley can be dissolved in water and on dissolving, a gel like substance results. This can trap bad cholesterol particles i.e. LDL. This action helps prevent the onset of heart diseases occurring due to the accumulation of fat in the blood vessels, mainly arteries. Many scientific studies have found that as much as 5 grams of barley can help reduce cholesterol accumulation by 3%. In the process of combating LDL from the food consumed, the good cholesterol (HDL) is not affected.
The gelatinous substance tends to the change the properties of the digested food in the stomach. Due to this change, the contents tend to move slowly, thereby giving a feeling of fullness and reduction in unnecessary excessive intake of food. The prolonged stay also results in complete digestion activity by the enzymes present in the stomach and intestines. The contents are changed to the extent that they slow down but not completely stop. Weight control by barley diet is achieved through this function of fiber.
Another function of soluble fiber and the resultant gel is regulation of excess nutrients in blood. Since soluble fiber prolongs digestion, there is time for nutrients to enter the blood stream without having the body intake more. This function is very important in the case of Diabetics. Since carbohydrates and sugar molecules undergo slow digestion due to soluble fiber, the body has ample time to convert these into energy before the requirement to eat arises again. Hence pile up of sugar in blood is reduced.
The Insoluble fiber serves to push the contents in the intestines. This it does by absorbing water and becoming heavy. The excess weight and expansion exerts more pressure in the Gastrointestinal (GI) tract and pushes the contents out of the body smoothly. Hence regulated bowel movement is achieved and constipation prevented.
Barley is highly recommended for those suffering with diabetes. The beta glucans present in barley slowdown glucose absorption. It was shown that mild insulin resistant patients on consuming barley had witnessed reduction in insulin reaction. A long-term study published in the August 2007 edition of the Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice journal reported a 30-percent decrease in HbA1c (average blood glucose level) in type 2 diabetics who consumed a healthy diet including pearl barley that supplied 18 grams of soluble fiber a day. Since it enhances digestion, sugar levels in the blood are relatively stable. Ketosis is a major problem for diabetics. If the concentration of ketones increases in blood, it can cause problems like loss of sleep, starvation and palpitation. By helping the digestion process smoothly, Barley helps diabetics fight off this condition.
Women past their menopause have a higher risk of cardio vascular diseases. A study, first published in the American heart journal, conducted on 200 odd women showed that barley can slow development of atherosclerosis and prevent the formation of plaques that can constrict blood vessels.
Barley can replace wheat flour and Barley juice is the ideal substitute for coffee and unlike coffee is very good for your body. Your search for the secret to good health ends with Barley.