Barley grass combines a combination of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants. No other food has this wealth of vital substances.

Barley grass – top when it comes to richness in vital substances

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) belongs – like many other cereals – to the sweet grass family. If you plant the barley grain in the ground, a long green stalk will quickly grow from it – barley grass. As simple and modest as the plant may seem, appearances are deceptive.

Barley grass combines such a unique combination of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants that it is hard to find a food that can even come close.

Barley grass – a balance of vital substances

Many decades ago, a Japanese scientist Dr. Yoshihide Hagiwara examined over 200 green leafy vegetables and compared them with each other.

He found that barley grass contained more minerals, more trace elements, more vitamins, more chlorophyll, more bioflavonoids, and more enzymes than all other green plants analyzed.

For example, compared to conventional foods, barley grass in Hagiwara’s research provided:

• 11 times as much calcium as cow’s milk
• 5 times as much iron as spinach and broccoli
• 4 times as much vitamin B1 as whole grain ( wheat )
• 7 times as much vitamin C as oranges and
• exactly as much zinc as the richest sources of zinc of animal origin

It wasn’t just the quantity of ingredients that fascinated Hagiwara at the time, but also their balance.

He said he found the most balanced concentration of nutrients in the leaves of the young barley plant of any plant studied to date.

At the same time, barley grass is one of the most alkaline foods available to us.

Barley grass balances the acid-base balance

The acid-base balance of modern people is usually very out of its healthy balance.

The modern diet is based on acid-forming foods, such as highly processed grain products, processed dairy products, and meat and sausage products. 

The alkaline balance in the form of vegetables, especially green leafy vegetables, is usually completely neglected. The resulting hyperacidity leads to general malaise and is also the root cause of many diseases of civilization.

Barley grass is one of the most basic foods of all and represents the long-awaited “gift from heaven” for our acid-alkaline balance. Consumed regularly in the form of barley grass drinks, barley grass harmonizes the pH values ​​in the body naturally, remineralizes our mineral deposits and also protects each and every one of our body cells from harmful influences. 

Barley grass for skin with elasticity

Barley grass also contains a highly active substance called proanthocyanidin. This is a secondary plant substance that works for our health at the cellular level, i.e. it intervenes exactly where every disease originates: in the cell itself.

Proanthocyanidins are antioxidants that can protect our cells from free radicals and toxins and also support the cells of our immune system.

In this way, barley grass reduces the risk of inflammatory diseases, infections, and cancer.

Proanthocyanidins are also known to have a particularly beneficial effect on skin and connective tissue – in two ways.

Proanthocyanidins protect both the skin cells from attacks by free radicals and the fiber proteins that are located between the skin cells and keep the skin firm and elastic.

It also repairs the fiber proteins so that the skin can regain its former elasticity.

Since the blood vessel walls also consist partly of fibrous proteins, this substance in barley grass alone is an important aspect in terms of cardiovascular prophylaxis.

Barley grass lowers cholesterol levels

Since barley grass also lowers cholesterol levels, it prevents heart attacks and strokes on several fronts at once.

Scientists from the Department of Nutrition, China Medical College in Taiwan, reported that barley grass lowered harmful LDL cholesterol. When LDL cholesterol is in excess, it can clog arteries and lead to heart attacks or strokes.

The researchers gave a group of 36 patients (all of whom had high cholesterol ) 15 grams of barley grass extract. They found that after four weeks of treatment, levels of LDL cholesterol had fallen significantly. At the same time, the scientists discovered that the amount of harmful free radicals circulating in the blood had also been significantly reduced.

In addition, you should optimize your vitamin C and vitamin E supply, as the scientific work in question showed that the combination of vitamin C (fruits), vitamin E (nuts, vegetable oils), and barley grass had the best effect on cholesterol levels. But barley grass doesn’t just lower cholesterol. It also inhibits what is actually dangerous about cholesterol, namely its oxidation, as researchers at Fu Jen University in Taipei found out – by up to 36 percent (if you also choose olive oil as a cooking oil at the same time as barley grass).

Barley grass for diabetics

Some studies with barley grass have been done with type 2 diabetics. This group of people is particularly well suited for this, as they often have many risk factors at the same time. Your cholesterol level is high as well as your blood sugar level. They often suffer from high blood pressure and not infrequently from being overweight.

Since barley grass can have a very positive effect on both blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels, the green drink made from barley grass powder is a highly recommended dietary supplement for diabetics.

Especially with regard to blood sugar reduction, a clinical study was published in the International Journal of Green Pharmacy in 2010 (“Management of diabetic dyslipidemia with subatmospheric dehydrated barley grass powder”).

The subjects in the study (all type 2 diabetics) received 1.2 grams of barley grass powder daily for two months. No further measures were ordered. Compared to the control group, which had to live without barley grass, not only did the blood sugar level but also the cholesterol level of the barley grass group significantly drop after the planned two months.

Barley grass juice contains the most powerful antioxidants

An important reason for the highly interesting effect of barley grass juice could be its richness in antioxidants. The rare antioxidants saponarin, lutonarin, and six others from the group of flavone C-glycosides were found in barley grass juice (Identification of flavone C-glycosides including a new flavonoid chromophore from barley leaves (Hordeum vulgare L.) by improved NMR techniques).

According to a study from 2012 (“flavonoids with potent antioxidant activity found in young green barley leaves”), the saponin alone is said to be many times more powerful than one of the strongest antioxidants that we know: vitamin E.

The scientists involved in the study from the Department of Environmental Toxicology at the University of California explained that this antioxidant effect of barley grass juice could be used in all diseases that are associated with oxidative stress.

These include in particular chronic inflammatory diseases, cardiovascular problems, and also some types of cancer.

Germinated barley inhibits skin cancer

Only recently, scientists from the School of Bioresources, University of Andong in Korea, managed to find further evidence of the latter point, namely the anti-cancer nature of barley.

An extremely effective plant substance was isolated from the very young barley grass, the barley seedling.

The substance is called lunasin and was not only able to prevent the development of skin cancer in experiments, but it also seemed to be able to block the development of breast cancer cells – which we will discuss in more detail in the next paragraph.

Barley grass has additional protective mechanisms in store, especially for the skin. For example, in addition to the beneficial proanthocyanidins mentioned above, it also contains the so-called glycosyl isovitexin.

This is a special antioxidant that can penetrate into the cell nucleus and protect the genetic material from free radicals there.

Glycosyl Isovetixin also retains its protective effect when exposed to sunlight, while vitamin E breaks down quickly so that barley grass – also due to its high beta-carotene content – can be an extremely helpful remedy if you want to prepare the skin for summer UV radiation (ideally together with astaxanthin ).

Sprouted barley blocks breast cancer cells

The Korean scientists from Andong University mentioned above also discovered that barley grass contains not just a little bit of lunasin, but actually an extraordinary amount of it. This is probably the reason why barley grass could not only show positive results in skin cancer but also in breast cancer.

The beneficial effect on breast cancer, on the other hand, has been observed in laboratory tests. It was shown that breast cancer cells no longer grew in the presence of lunasin from sprouted barley. Further investigations will of course still be necessary with regard to the anti-cancer effect of barley grass in humans.

The study situation regarding the effects of barley grass on intestinal health, on the other hand, looks much better:

Germinated barley for ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that is associated with severe abdominal pain, flatulence, intestinal bleeding, attacks of diarrhea (sometimes even leading to fecal incontinence) and, as a result, with an inadequate supply of vital substances and nutrients. Colon cancer can occasionally be observed as a possible long-term consequence.

Conventional medical treatment of ulcerative colitis is usually relatively full of side effects, so every opportunity should be taken to alleviate the symptoms in a more tolerable way.

In a study by the Nutrient Food and Feed Division, Tokyo, scientists examined 18 patients with ulcerative colitis. For four weeks, half of the subjects received their usual anti-inflammatory medication, while the other half received 30 grams of a sprouted barley supplement daily.

At the end of the study, the barley group reported significant improvements in their symptoms.  Compared to the medication group, they experienced significantly fewer attacks of diarrhea and suffered less pain.

Tests then also revealed that taking the sprouted barley supplement had resulted in higher levels of friendly gut bacteria in the patients’ guts. Dr. Kanauchi led the study and reports that sprouted barley therapy has the potential to reduce the clinical activity of ulcerative colitis. We believe that these results will soon lead to barley grass being used as a new adjunctive therapy for ulcerative colitis.

Barley grass helps the intestines in six ways

However, the positive effect of germinated barley or barley grass juice on the intestine is not limited to the activation of the intestinal flora. In total, at least six different mechanisms of action can be observed that can lead to long-term recovery of the intestine:

1. Ulcerative colitis is associated with a serious disruption of the intestinal flora and a simultaneous accumulation of toxins in the intestine. Barley grass promotes the creation of an environment that is friendly to intestinal bacteria in the digestive system. The intestinal bacteria that are useful for humans multiply again, toxins can be defused, the tendency to inflammation decreases and the symptoms of the disease become weaker.
2. Barley grass also reduces the so-called epithelium NF-k, an inflammatory substance that is responsible for the typical chronic inflammatory processes of ulcerative colitis in the intestine.
3. Barley grass regulates the water content of the stool, which makes diarrhea less common.
4. Barley grass contains both a special protein and a special fiber (hemicellulose). Both help the intestinal mucosa with cell repair and new cell formation. This was revealed by new studies by Japanese scientists from the Department of Internal Medicine, Shiga University of Medical Science.
5. Barley grass is rich in chlorophyll and therefore gives us all the benefits of chlorophyll. You can find more information about chlorophyll here. However, what is particularly interesting for ulcerative colitis patients is that chlorophyll has proven to be very positive in the treatment of colon cancer. Since one of the possible long-term effects of ulcerative colitis can be colon cancer, prevention in this regard should certainly not be considered exaggerated.
6. Barley grass is the grass of choice for Candida fungal infections. On the one hand, of course, due to its already mentioned effects on intestinal health. On the other hand, also due to its low sugar content, which is lower than that of wheatgrass juice, for example.

At some points, we also mentioned sprouted barley (activated barley). This is barley that has been soaked in water for about two days and then germinated for just a few more days before being dried and milled.

In the case of intestinal problems, the combined intake of activated barley AND barley grass could therefore be discussed and used with a naturopathically oriented therapist. Note that barley and sprouted barley contain Gluten. Barley Grass itself does not.

Of course, wonderful intestinal health alone lifts the spirits immensely. And the sinking cholesterol and blood sugar levels can certainly lead to more happiness and confidence. However, barley grass also seems to have a specific antidepressant effect.

Barley grass – grow it yourself

Barley grass is relatively easy to grow yourself. To do this, soak the seeds of barley in water overnight. The next day, spread the swollen seeds (nearly next to each other, but not on top of each other) on the moist soil of a planting tray. Make sure that the soil with the seeds does not dry out.

Soil-free “hydroculture” is also possible. In addition, there are special germination devices for grass cultivation in the health food store or in the organic trade. Hydroponics has the advantage that later – if you want to produce germinated barley, i.e. no barley grass – you can use the entire plant including the roots.

How to incorporate barley grass into your diet

After three days, the barley sprouts (germinated barley) can be harvested as a garnish for salads or vegetable dishes. However, if you want to grow grass, you let the plants grow into stalks that are at least 10 cm high (or taller) for about 10 to 12 days. In this case, harvesting is not done with a lawn mower, but with kitchen scissors.

The long stalks of barley grass can now be chopped into small pieces and added to various dishes (salads, cream cheese, sauces, soups, etc.). But they can also be squeezed with a high-quality juicer and drunk as a powerful, fresh green elixir. However, when buying a juicer, make sure that it is explicitly suitable for pressing grass and herbs.

The taste of freshly pressed barley grass is very intense, which is why it can easily be mixed with other juices, mixed into green smoothies or fruit smoothies.

Try the following recipe for a top-notch energy drink:

• Barley Grass Energy Drink

If you love variety, you can also incorporate other healthy grasses and plants into this juice, e.g. spelt grass or wheat grass.

Barley grass in powder form

If all of this is too complicated for you, you can get barley grass or barley grass juice in powder form. High-quality barley grass and of course barley grass juice powder are produced at low temperatures so that the overwhelming majority of all the wonderful ingredients are also contained in the powdered form of barley grass or barley grass juice.

Barley grass or barley grass juice?

What is the difference between barley grass and barley grass juice? It is clear that one is the whole grass and the other is the juice pressed from it. But what does that mean for health?

Barley grass provides a high fiber content. The dietary fibers specific to barley grass are – in contrast to some dietary fibers from cereals and legumes – particularly well tolerated and have an extremely harmonizing effect on digestive activity.

Due to the high fiber content, the other active ingredients of barley grass are contained in the natural dose – and not in the high concentration that is the case with barley grass juice.

The whole barley grass or the powder from it is therefore ideal for people who not only want to improve their general health but also have to contend with digestive problems such as e.g. chronic diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, flatulence, etc.

The barley grass juice, on the other hand, is almost free of roughage and thus provides the rare antioxidants and vital substances typical of barley grass in higher concentrations.

Barley grass juice is therefore particularly recommended if you want to enjoy the antioxidant effect of barley grass juice, i.e. if you want to improve cell health, protect the blood vessels from deposits, delay aging processes, and brighten your mood.

Barley grass juice also provides more magnesium than barley grass and is therefore better suited for optimizing magnesium levels.

Barley grass: recommended intake

Barley grass JUICE powder can be easily mixed into other juices or water. 1 teaspoon of barley grass powder is mixed with a large glass of water or juice.

An additional pinch of real organic vanilla makes your barley grass drink not only healthy but also a sweet and exotic experience.

Make Barley Grass Juice taste like chocolate

Mix the Barley grass juice powder and water in a high-speed blender. This way it will get very smooth and tastes like chocolate.

Enjoy your barley grass drink two to three times a day, preferably before meals or as a revitalizing snack.

The barley grass powder (not barley grass juice powder as it is more concentrated in taste) can of course also be mixed into salad dressings, dips, spreads, energy ball recipes and much more. Its aroma is very mild, so a small amount will not change the taste of the dish.

So it’s very easy to do something good for yourself with barley grass.

Of course, you can also use Barley grass Juice as an enema or implant into the colon directly!