Barley Grass
Barley has been used by humans for thousands of years. The ancient Egyptians, Romans and Vikings all used Barley, and Columbus carried it to the Americas in 1493. During the Twentieth Century it was discovered that the leafy growth of the young plant serves as a hugely complete food, bringing a vast range of benefits to the diets of both livestock and humans.
Barley, or Hordeum, is a grass with many wild and domesticated varieties. However, Barley grass as we know it is the cotyledons (leafy initial growth) of Hordeum vulgare, the Barley cultivated most commonly in agriculture. Many of Barley grass’ benefits come from its chlorophyll content. This is the same chemical that makes grass green. As the essential ingredient in photosynthesis it is the basis of all plant life. Chlorophyll also has a very similar structure to blood haemoglobin. Key ingredients of Barley grass are protein, vitamins, and minerals. The protein in Barley grass has 18 of the 22 amino acids, including all of the eight essential amino acids that the body can’t make for itself. Barley grass is thus an excellent source of protein for vegans, who often lack it in their diets. Barley grass is also rich in vitamins, with 30 times more vitamin B1 than cows’ milk, plus vitamin B2, vitamin B6, large amounts of vitamin B12, and abundant vitamin C.
Barley grass is also an excellent natural source of minerals, including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium. As it also provides a substantial amount of folic acid, pantothenic acid, carotenoids, (including beta-carotene) and organic sodium, it is small wonder it has been labeled a superfood.
Health benefits of Barley grass
• It is antibacterial, protecting against infection
• It is very similar in structure to haemoglobin, and can aid recovery from anaemia
• It reduces blood sugar issues, so can help with diabetes and weight loss
• It neutralizes toxins in the body, making it an effective element in detoxification programs
• It helps to purify the liver
Numerous benefits have been reported by those who consume Barley grass regularly. Scientific research at present lags behind what people are discovering for themselves. While exaggerated claims should be treated with caution, the impressive list of illnesses that show improvement when people add Barley grass to their diet makes it well worth considering if you suffer from any of the following conditions:
• Arthritis
• Asthma
• Blood clots
• Cancer
• Excessive low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (the ‘bad’ cholesterol)
• Blood sugar issues, including hypoglycemia and diabetes
• Fatigue
• Inflammation and inflammation-related pain
• Migraine
• Stomach and intestinal disorders
Rainforest Foods Barley grass is sourced from an organic farm in Canterbury, New Zealand. The entire production process is organically certified, and is designed to allow a high proportion of the plant’s original nutritional value to be retained.
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