The beneficial properties of pearl barley have been known since ancient times. Even Pythagoras advised his students to include this cereal in their diet to improve brain activity. In our time, nothing has changed: this is a cheap product that helps with many ailments. So, what are the benefits and harms of pearl barley? Enrich knowledge.

Barley porridge - composition, nutritional value and calories

Despite its nondescript appearance, cereals are rich in carbohydrates, proteins and vegetable fats. The presence of vitamins and minerals is of great value. So, per 100 g of dry product accounts for: B1 - 0.12 mg; B2 - 0.06 mg; B5 - 0.5 mg; B6 - 0.36 mg; B9 - 24 mcg; E - 1.1 mg; PP - 3.7 mg; K - 172 mg; retinol (provitamin A) - 1.2 mcg.

Among the trace elements, phosphorus (323 mg), manganese (0.65 mg), chromium (12.5 μg) and copper (280 μg) are leading. These elements make up from 25 to 40% of the daily intake of minerals. Barley also includes zinc, molybdenum, selenium, calcium, magnesium, iron, cobalt and potassium.

At the same time, the main value of the product is the content of a large amount of the essential amino acid lysine. It is part of proteins, and also takes an active part in the regeneration of body tissues, maintaining hormonal balance, and the production of antibodies and enzymes.

This acid is able to penetrate viral and defective cells, stopping their growth and spread. Due to this, people who regularly consume pearl barley have a lower risk of developing cancer and problems with the cardiovascular system.

Barley porridge is also rich in fiber, which in cereal contains more than in wheat.The composition also includes the natural antibiotic gordetsin. It is used to relieve inflammation of the skin, and is also taken as decoction for colds.

The benefits of pearl barley do not end there, because the calorie content of cereal is only 109 kcal per 100 g of the finished product (provided that the cereal was prepared on water and without oil). Therefore, a side dish of pearl barley is perfect for those people who want to lose weight.

Useful properties for the female body

In addition to the fact that barley is an excellent porridge for losing weight and removing toxins from the body. She also has a number of advantages for women. So the regular use of decoctions of pearl barley helps increase breast milk in nursing mothers. To prepare such a drink is very easy: pour 200 g of cereal with a glass of boiling water and simmer over low heat for 2-3 hours. Cool the resulting broth, strain through cheesecloth and drink 50 ml 3 times a day.

Pearl barley is also indispensable in the fight against skin aging. Firstly, porridge contains a large amount of antioxidants, which rid the body of free radicals and prevent the cells of the body from dying. Secondly, the high content of lysine and vitamins A and E - contributes to the production of collagen, smoothes fine wrinkles and prevents the appearance of new ones. Lotions from cooked barley remove inflammation from the skin, so they fight against the formation of acne. Masks made from ground porridge relieve swelling and have a lifting effect.

In addition, croup helps in the treatment of many ailments: colds, diabetes, fungal diseases, oncology, kidney, liver and heart diseases, hemorrhoids, arthritis, etc.

How to make pearl barley porridge deliciously

Useful properties of cereals directly depend on the method of its preparation. Traditionally, two cooking methods are distinguished. In the first case, 200 g of barley must be thoroughly washed under running water, and then pour 3 cups of water. Bring to a boil and cook for 6-8 minutes. Then add another 200-250 ml of water, boil again and cook over low heat under a closed lid until all the liquid has evaporated. This can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours. When the porridge is cooked, you need to add a piece of butter, mix and cover with a towel. Let it brew for 30-40 minutes and serve.

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The second method will take more time. In the evening you need to rinse a glass of cereal, and then pour a liter of cold water or yogurt. Cover and leave overnight at room temperature. During this time, the grains will swell and increase in size at least 3-4 times. In the morning you can cook the pearl barley: pour out the old liquid and add 2.5 cups of clean water, bring to a boil, reduce the heat and cook for another 35-50 minutes. Then add oil, stir and consume after 15-20 minutes.

If you want to cook sweet barley, then you need to take milk instead of water. Only cereals should be cooked in a water bath, otherwise porridge can burn up or “run away”.

After cooking, barley can be used as the basis for pilaf, soup, dessert or just a side dish. To do this, add fried or boiled vegetables, pieces of meat, dried fruits, nuts, berries, honey or broth to it.

Barley porridge during pregnancy: benefits and harms

Groats must be included in the diet of every pregnant woman. The only contraindications are individual intolerance and uncontrolled consumption (usually 2-4 times a week). In other cases, barley will enrich the female body with the necessary vitamins and minerals, which are usually found in different foods.

For example, the content of iron and amino acids - contributes to an increase in hemoglobin no worse than pomegranate juice. And this is very important, because pregnant women often suffer from anemia and dizziness.The presence of a large number of B vitamins is responsible for the construction of the bones and nerve fibers of the baby, so a woman may not worry about the fact that her child does not receive any substances.

Harm from barley can only be if it is used too often (more than 2-4 times a week). For the baby, this does not pose any problem, but here a woman may feel discomfort in the stomach due to a decrease in bowel function. In addition, a high content of gluten can provoke leaching of calcium from the body of the expectant mother if this element does not enter in sufficient quantities.

Pearl Barley Cleansing

Thanks to fiber, a huge amount of accumulated toxins is eliminated from the body. At the same time, intestinal motility begins to work more slowly, due to this, the body loses less energy and water to digest food, and nutrients are absorbed in larger quantities. In addition, pearl barley porridge fibers saturate the body for a long time, so hunger after eating cereals is less intense.

Pearl barley slimming

This is one of the easiest, cheapest and most beneficial methods of losing weight. Pearl barley diet includes a course of 7 to 30 days. Less - it makes no sense, but more - it can be harmful to the body.

On such a diet, weight loss reaches up to 10 kg per week. But it is important to understand that pearl barley should only be cooked in water, without the addition of oil, salt or sugar. To do this, grits must first be soaked, and then cook on low heat for 30-35 minutes. The proportions will be as follows - a glass of cereal for 3 cups of liquid.

Tasty recipe:barley porridge in a slow cooker - recipe

Since the diet is quite strict and it is very difficult to withstand even 5 days only on pearl barley, the introduction of other products into the diet is allowed. However, in this case, the weight loss period is extended. It is important to consume a large amount of clean water without gas (at least 2 liters per day), otherwise the risk of bowel problems increases.

Pearl barley diet

There are two ways. In the first case, the diet includes only barley porridge and water. Such "voluntary torture" lasts up to 5-7 days. Another method is more gentle, because in addition to the main ingredient, the use of vegetables, fruits, low-fat sour-milk products, fish and even meat is allowed.

An approximate menu may look like this.

  • Breakfast - barley porridge with slices of prunes and green tea without sugar.
  • Lunch - barley with boiled turkey or steamed fish.
  • Snack - half a grapefruit or vegetable smoothie.
  • Dinner - a salad of fresh vegetables seasoned with lemon juice, pearl barley and herbal tea.
  • The second dinner is a glass of fat-free kefir.

Important notice! Barley must be consumed in a warm form, otherwise useful substances will be absorbed worse.

Unloading day on barley porridge

When there is no time to follow a diet, but you still want to look attractive, a sparing option for the lazy will do. With this format, it is possible to lose 1 kg, but it is important that this mono-diet be taken no more than 1 time per week. A positive effect is achieved due to the removal of excess moisture from the body, as well as the normalization of the digestive tract.

So, on the eve of the fasting day, you need to soak a glass of cereal in a liter of cold water. In the morning, cook porridge with 3 cups of water without sugar, salt or oil. It will turn out about a kilogram of pearl barley, which must be divided into 5 equal parts. This will be all meals for the day. During breaks it is allowed to drink water and green tea.

If from one look or memory of pearl barley - you start to turn back, then in each portion you can add 100-150 ml of low-fat kefir. Thus, the dish will become tastier and more satisfying, but its calorie content will remain low.

And lovers of fresh fruits can add mashed green apple to the porridge. This will improve the taste and aroma of the dish, plus it will deliver an additional portion of iron to the body.

Harm of pearl barley and contraindications

So that the beneficial properties of pearl barley porridge are not overshadowed by negative consequences - experts recommend that they comply with all measures. The ideal option for introduction into the diet is 3-4 times a week. If you overdo it, then even in healthy people flatulence and discomfort in the stomach can be observed.

Caution should be taken for those who suffer from constipation. After all, barley pearl barley contains a large amount of coarse fiber, which can reduce intestinal motility and only exacerbate the situation.

For the same reason, pregnant women are not advised to lean on barley. Their hormonal background is unstable, therefore, it is not clear how exactly the composition of the intestinal microflora will respond to this product. And, of course, you need to carefully monitor the porridge for young children up to 3 years of age. Eating habits and preferences have not yet been established, so the body may not be able to cope with the digestion of the product.

A definitive contraindication to barley is gastritis with high acidity and peptic ulcer in the acute stage. In addition, if you suffer from an allergy to gluten - keep in mind that cereal has a high index, so you need to use it with extreme caution and in small quantities.

Pearl barley contains a storehouse of vitamins and minerals from various ailments. It is important to approach its preparation correctly and not to forget about precautionary measures. Then the food will energize, give a feeling of satiety and lightness.

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