Agronomists place this ancient cereal grass as being cultivated as early as 7000 BC and was been eaten by Roman gladiators for strength and stamina.

Barley grass contains many of the vitamins, minerals and proteins necessary for the human diet. It contains 18 amino acids, beta-carotene, folic acid, vitamins E, B1, B2, B3 and B6, and B12. There are useful quantities of minerals including potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron, copper, phosphorus, manganese and zinc. Best of all, this goodness is easily absorbed since barley grass is a plant not a chemically derived supplement.

There are no known side effects attributed to barley grass; actually the side effects of barley grass are fantastic.

Barley grass benefits

The main appeal of barley grass is as a source of easily assimilated nutrients. Take barley grass 30 mnutes or more before a meal for maximum absorption.

Barley grass is a rich source of chlorophyll and live enzymes including the antioxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD).

A Chinese study showed that barley grass was beneficial in lowering cholesterol levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Barley grass contain two kinds of fiber–some that dissolves in water (known as beta-glucan) and some that does not dissolve. Both types of barley fiber may help to lower cholesterol.

Barley grass’ high mineral content helps alkalinize the body and promotes an ideal pH, it contains the buffer minerals sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium which help the body manage its pH. Buffer minerals neutralize acidic materials and can help people maintain a healthy balance between acidity and alkalinity. Our cells cannot adequately function if the pH is not in a narrow range. Most processed foods along with red meat, coffee and pretty much everything in the typical American diet acidify the pH of the body. Barley grass can help rectify this situation, but obviously overall diet is very important.

Research has shown that when barley grass juice is added to injured cells, the cells’ DNA repairs itself rapidly. This may contribute to preventing the changes that often lead to cancer and rapid aging.

There are un-substantiated claims that barley grass is effective for the following conditions: skin diseases, hepatitis, asthma, anemia, diabetes, arthritis, obesity and even cancer.

Sources of barley grass

Barley grass can be made fresh, but for most people it is convenient to purchase barley grass powder. No doubt the quality of commercial barley grass will vary. Mr Cabbage Head does not recommend specifc products, but suggests avoiding those products where the grass is simply cut, dried and powered. Those products where the barley grass is juiced, cooled and evaporated in an oxygen free environment would be worth investigation.

References:

Hagiwara Y. Green Barley Essence. Keats Publishing Inc 1985.

Kanauchi O, Iwanaga T, Mitsuyama K. 2001. Germinated barley foodstuff feeding. A novel neutraceutical therapeutic strategy for ulcerative colitis. Digestion. 2001; 63 Suppl 1: 60-7.

Seibold, R. Cereal Grass, Nature’s Greatest Health Gift. New Canaan.Keats Publishing Inc 1991.

YuYM, Chang WC, Chang CT, Hseih CL, Tsai CE. Effects of young barley leaf extract and antioxidative vitamins on LDL oxidation and free radical scavenging activities in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Metabolism. 2002;28(2):107-114.

The aloe vera plant has long, spiked leaves, which are thick-skinned and contain a clear gel-like substance. It is used today in cosmetics, skin creams, burn gels and sun screen creams. The juice of the aloe vera plant may be consumed internally and is rich in vitamins, minerals and enzymes.

The American Diabetes Association states: ‘The cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, although both genetics and environmental factors such as obesity and lack of exercise appear to play roles.’ Where is the mystery? It would be interesting to know the incidence of diabetes before the introduction of sugar and refined carbohydrates to the western diet.

Diabetes is a condition where the body either fails to produce insulin or fails to properly utilise the insulin produced. Insulin is produced by the pancreas. So what is affecting the pancreas? Let’s look at some common ingredients of the American diet, which is unfortunately becoming popular in many other countries.

Soft drinks. Many contain more than 10 teaspoons of sugar per can. What about the so-called diet soft drinks where a chemical is used instead of sugar? Aspartane is used as an artificial sweetener, but this chemical has been linked to an increased incidence of brain cancer and symptoms including: severe headaches, nausea, vertigo, insomnia, loss of control of limbs, blurred vision, blindness, memory loss, slurred speech, hyperactivity, gastrointestinal disorders, seizures, skin lesions, rashes, anxiety attacks, muscle and joint pain, numbness, mood changes, loss of energy, menstrual cramps out of cycle, hearing loss or ringing in the ears.

Refined white flour. Pancakes, doughnuts, cakes, biscuits, bread and so on. Not only is refined white flour lacking in nutrients, it often contains a chemical called alloxan. Alloxan damages the beta cells of the pancreas. Scientists use alloxan to induce diabetes in lab animals for their research.

Bacon. Bacon contains sodium nitrate which becomes a carcinogenic chemical in the body with damaging effects on the pancreas and other organs.

Bottled fruit juice. This often has a high glycemic index and may contain sugar and various chemicals.

The above ‘foods’ are not only high in sugar but they are low in essential vitamins, minerals and fibre. It is obvious that diet is a major factor in causing diabetes, but can a change in diet cure diabetes? In a clinical trial at UCLA, 50% of patients with type 2 diabetes were able to cure themselves of diabetes in three weeks by altering their food intake. “The study shows, contrary to common belief, that Type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome can be reversed solely through lifestyle changes,” according to lead researcher Christian Roberts of University of California, Los Angeles. The diet used in the study was low in fat, moderate in protein and high in unrefined carbohydrates: whole grains (5 serves a day), vegetables (4 or more serves), fruit (3 or more serves), soy, beans, nuts, low fat diary with small amounts of fish and chicken.

So, will you remove all sugar and refined carbohydrates from your diet?

References:

American Diabetes Association website. www.diabetes.org

Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soft_drink

“Effect of a diet and exercise intervention on oxidative stress, inflammation, MMP-9, and monocyte chemotactic activity in men with metabolic syndrome factors,” by Christian K. Roberts, Dean Won, Sandeep Pruthi, Silvia Kurtovic, and R. James Barnard, of the Department of Physiological Science at UCLA; Ram K. Sindhu of the Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Molecular Medicine at Charles R. Drew University, Los Angeles; and Nosratola D. Vaziri of the Division of Nephrology and Hypertension, Department of Medicine at University of California, Irvine is in the online issue of the Journal of Applied Physiology published by the American Physiological Society.