Barley grass

Barley Grass (Hordeum leporinum) is a type of annual grass native to Europe, Africa, and Asia, but widely distributed and naturalized in various other regions of the globe. As a subspecies of H. murinum, barley grass is also commonly known as mouse barley and hare barley. While this self-seeding plant may prolifically crop up each year unassisted, it has apparently done so under the watchful care of human hands as well. In fact, according to the archives of agronomy, the science of using botanicals for food, fuel, and fiber, barely grass has been cultivated as a food source for thousands of years. For instance, Roman gladiators freely consumed barley grass to ensure strength and endurance in battle, while the ancient Greeks revered the plant as being a gift from the gods.

One of the reasons this straw-colored grass is so successful is that it is highly adaptable to nearly any climate and environmental condition. In fact, it fares just as well in dry, rocky terrain as it does in cool, damp wetlands. The fully matured plant also produces a grain shaft, the seeds from which are easily transported by wind, birds, and passing feet to further its geographic reach. However, it is the young tender shoots that are most prized since this where the greatest nutritional benefit resides.

First, barley grass provides a significant amount of fiber, including a water-soluble form known as beta-glucan, which may help to lower serum cholesterol. In fact, a Chinese study published in Diabetes Metabolism in 2002 reported that subjects with diabetes type II experienced significant cholesterol reduction after supplementing with barley grass.

Barley grass is also believed to benefit those who suffer from allergies, asthma, migraines, arthritis, and various skin and digestive disorders. While there isn’t a great deal of material in the current medical literature to substantiate these claims, there is sufficient evidence to suggest that the presence of superoxide dismutase, a potent antioxidant, may hold promise in regulating these other health conditions due to inhibiting free radical damage that contributes to premature aging, inflammation, and the development of cancer. In fact, research has shown that when barley grass extracts are introduced into damaged cells, the mutated DNA repairs itself.

Barley grass appears to enhance cellular metabolism by regulating the internal pH in the body, thereby correcting the imbalance from a highly acidic state caused by consuming too much red meat and processed foods. It is thought that the abundance of magnesium, calcium, and potassium provided by barley grass helps to neutralize the acid content of such foods. In addition, the plant is high in enzymes and chlorophyll, which help to rid the body of toxins.

One of the greatest nutritional benefits of supplementing with barley grass is the fact that its nutrients are more bioavailable than other sources. For example, nutrients from many other sources must first undergo an enzyme conversion before they can be absorbed. In contrast, barley grass provides several enzymes and 18 amino acids, making this conversion unnecessary and nutrient absorption maximized.

Barley grass is also an excellent source of protein. In fact, the fresh juice contains up to 45% protein. However, being a non-animal source of protein, it is low in fat. Barley grass is also rich in iron, folic acid, beta-carotene, and vitamins E, B1, B2, B3, B6, and B12. If that’s not impressive enough, then consider this: Barley contains 11 times more calcium and 30 times more vitamin B1 than cow’s milk, 5 times more iron than spinach, and about 7 times more vitamin C than an orange.

Your mother may have told you to eat your vegetables but, if heeding her advice is difficult for you, this is one green food that makes it easy to get all the nutrition your body needs and more. You don’t have to chomp on the grass in a meadow either. Barley grass powder is made available by extracting the juice from young plants at their nutritional peak, which is then carefully dehydrated and ground. All you have to do is simply add some powder to a glass of water or to cooked foods.