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    Have You Heard of Barley Water’s Benefits?

    Barley water is no less than an elixir for UTIs and weight loss! But only little do we know about its wonderful benefits. Here this article will help you uncover them!

    According to Ayurveda, it is an excellent diuretic, which cures urinary tract infections (UTI) and also helps the body to keep cool during the summers.

    What is Barley Water?

    Barley water is a traditional drink consumed in various parts of the world. It is made by boiling barley grains in water, then (usually) straining to remove the grains, and possibly adding other ingredients, for example, sugar.

    Benefits of Drinking Barley Water

    1.It is a great source of Nutrition

    Barley water ranks high in the category of healthy beverages because it is loaded with essential nutrients. Since barley is a good source of soluble and insoluble fiber, vitamins, essential minerals (calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, zinc, and copper), anti-oxidants and phytochemicals which are believed to lower the risk of heart disease and diabetes, barley water too draws out these benefits to make itself a health booster.

    2. Aids in Detoxification

    Regular usage of barley water helps flush out toxins from the body and the intestines through the urinary tract.

    3. Home Remedy for Urinary Tract Infections

    Since barley water acts as a diuretic, in many households in India, it is considered to be a natural remedy for urinary tract infections, and children or adults are often recommended a few glasses of barley water on a daily basis till the infection subsides. It is also said to be a good remedy for kidney stones or cysts.

    4. Helps in Digestion Related Problems

    In Ayurveda, barley water is considered a digestive tonic that helps in facilitating the process of digestion, especially for those who have low ‘Agni’. It is often recommended to those suffering from constipation or diarrhea, and it also helps restore the electrolyte balance during infections.

    5. Promotes Weight Loss

    Since barley is an excellent source of fiber, barley water too retains this characteristic in some measure. It, therefore, proves to be a great option for those seeking to lose weight as it tends to fill you up for a longer time, thus cutting down on your food intake.

    6. Lowers Cholesterol and Blood Sugar

    Being a good source of fiber and beta-glucans, barley water also works towards keeping a check on blood cholesterol (by inhibiting the absorption of LDL and triglycerides from food) and blood sugar (by improving insulin resistance).

    7. Heart health

    Barley water has anti-inflammatory properties which not only help in cooling the body but in protecting the heart as well.

    8. Helps Prevent Atherosclerosis

    Atherosclerosis is a condition in which the thickening of arterial walls obstructs blood flow and increases the chances of developing cardiovascular disease. Barley water can also help lower high blood pressure, another contributing factor for cardiovascular disease and stroke.

    9. Aids Healthy Pregnancy

    Loaded with nutrients, barley water is recommended as a health drink for pregnant women. It’s ideal as it promotes digestion, prevents constipation, and eases morning sickness. Its diuretic nature helps treat water retention during pregnancy.

    10. Healthy Skin

    The presence of a compound called azelaic acid helps treat mild to moderate acne. The antioxidants help fight free radicals and reduce the signs of aging.

    11. Supports the immune system

    In addition to the free-radical fighting properties of barley and the vitamins and minerals in barley, barley water can support your immune system in another important way.

    Now tell me, aren’t we missing out on something very much next to elixir?

    How to Make Barley Water At Home?

    Homemade barley water will be much better than the bottled ones available in the stores.

    You can use hulled barley or pearl barley to make the drink. Ensure that you cook the grains well to extract the most nutrients from them.

    Ingredients:

    • 1/4 cup pearl barley
    • 4 cups of water
    • A pinch of salt
    • A drizzle of honey (optional)
    • A lemon rind (optional)

    Method:

    1. Heat the water and pearl barley in a saucepan and bring it to a boil.
    2. Add the salt and let it cook on a low flame for 30 minutes. You can muddle the grains a little, using a spoon.
    3. Strain it into a glass, tip in a lemon rind, and drizzle with a little honey on top. Let it cool completely. You can also keep it in the refrigerator for 30 minutes and then have it.

    Downsides of Barley Water

    Too much of anything is bad for health. The same goes for barley water too.

    • Drinking a lot of barley water when you aren’t used to drinking it can cause constipation or loose stools due to its dense fiber content.
    • And the calorie count of one serving of barley water is equivalent to a full meal, so be careful not to drink too much in one sitting.

    References: Link1 | Link2 | Link3 

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