Health Benefits of Barley Water

If you have never had barley water before, you may be interested in how much nutrition there is in it. It is a popular soft drink that combines distilled barley with fruit juices and sweeteners. While some types of barley water have too much sugar, there are some great healthy versions that offer a great taste and all the health benefits of barley.

Atherosclerosis
Barley water is a good source of natural fiber that has some cardiovascular benefits. For example, a study in the Archives of Internal Medicine found it can help treat atherosclerosis, the thinning of the arteries due to plaque buildup.

Cholesterol
The fiber that comes from barley water is also known to lower cholesterol. A study in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed this is because barley fiber is high in beta glucan and produces propionic acid in the body, both of which lower cholesterol.

Diabetes
Barley water is a great source of magnesium, which reacts with many different enzymes that involve glucose levels in the body. This can help to reduce the risk of Type 2 diabetes, as stated in Diabetes Care journal.

Gallstones
The fiber that is available from barley water is insoluble. This type of fiber has been beneficial to women in preventing the formation of gallstones, which was shown in a 16-year study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology.

Lignans
Barley water also contains important phytonutrients known as lignans. These are antioxidants that are known to help fight and prevent cancer, in addition to promoting a healthy heart, which was proven in a Danish study published in the Journal of Nutrition.