SUKABUMIUPDATE.com – Barley tea is popular in the East Asian region. This tea has a toasted, slightly bitter taste, which is sometimes used in traditional Chinese medicine. Barley tea is known to have a variety of health benefits.
Reporting from Tempo.co, barley is a grain commonly used as a cooking ingredient and as a food supplement. Dry barley seeds are often ground into flour before being processed into food. Rich in barley fiber, it is often used as an ingredient in cereals, breads, and alcoholic drinks.
Not only eaten, barley seeds can also be made into tea. Most people usually brew barley seeds that are pre-roasted to make tea. Tea bags filled with roasted barley are also usually sold in shops located in East Asia.
Barley tea contains many nutrients that are very beneficial for the body. A number of nutrients contained in barley tea include B vitamins and minerals such as iron, manganese and zinc. Even so, until now it is not certain how much nutrition it contains. Barley tea is also believed to have benefits for treating diarrhea, fatigue and inflammation. However, until now there has not been a single study that agrees with these claims.
According to research results, here are the benefits of barley tea
1. Suitable for diet
Having only a few calories and carbohydrates, barley tea is suitable to drink for those of you who are on a diet. The calorie and carbohydrate content in barley tea will not significantly affect your daily needs, as long as it is drunk in sufficient portions. Also, you should not add milk, cream, or sweeteners if you want to drink barley tea on a diet.
2. Prevent cell damage due to free radicals
Rich in antioxidants, barley tea helps prevent cell damage caused by free radicals. Some of the antioxidants present in barley tea such as chlorogenic acid and vanillic acid. The antioxidants contained in barley tea provide anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, barley tea also contains the antioxidant quercetin. These antioxidants have an important role in improving heart health, blood pressure, and brain health.
3. Has the potential to fight cancer
Barley tea has the potential to prevent cancer thanks to its antioxidant properties. According to a study in China, it is stated that the lower the consumption of barley in an area, the higher the death rate that occurs due to cancer. However, this does not mean that cancer is caused by low levels of barley consumption. There is still much research to be done to find out about the potential for barley tea to prevent cancer.
4. Overcoming blood clots
When it has a very thick consistency, blood circulation will become obstructed and lead to health problems. According to a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Science and Vitaminology, barley tea is said to increase blood fluidity. This of course will make the blood circulation that was previously blocked become smoother.
5. Has antibacterial properties
Tooth decay can be caused by bacteria called Streptococcus. Barley tea is said to help prevent the colonization of these bacteria. This is supported by research published in the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, in which tea from roasted barley can eliminate Streptococcus bacteria.
6. Relieves menopause symptoms
Having carminative properties, drinking barley tea can help with menopause symptoms such as night sweats and hot flashes. Apart from that, consuming this tea also helps calm the nerves.
7. Reducing cholesterol
The nutritional content in barley tea can help regulate blood sugar levels. In addition, consuming barley tea also lowers bad cholesterol levels which is certainly good for your heart health.
8. Help overcome the flu
Drinking barley tea regularly can help prevent you from catching colds and its symptoms. If you have asthma or bronchitis, consuming this tea can help clear congestion and phlegm. You can also relieve sore throat and nasal congestion by drinking barley tea.
9. Reducing the risk of developing prostate cancer
Barley tea contains selenium in it. Selenium is a nutrient that has an important role in male fertility. Apart from maintaining fertility, drinking barley tea can also help keep the prostate healthy.
Source: Tempo.co
