All the benefits of barley in a drink you can enjoy year-round!
Barley tea or Kobashi Mugicha contains a wide range of vitamins, nutrients, and biological compounds that are credited for the positive benefits of barley tea.
Consumed in Japan and Korea for centuries, this drink has become a staple of a good Japanese healthy diet. Barley tea contains vitamins A and C along with antioxidants that help to eliminate free radicals and amino acids and melatonin that aid overall health. There are a variety of barley teas available for you to sample. Let’s see what the fuss is all about with these benefits of barley tea:
1. Can help with weight loss
Barley tea is a naturally low-calorie drink that can be a delicious alternative to plain water. It’s a great replacement for sugary drinks that can pack on the pounds; just make sure to limit the sweeteners. Barley tea’s low sugar content means diabetics can consume this tea without the worry of skyrocketing blood sugar levels.
The high fiber content of barley tea makes you feel full longer so you won’t have the urge to snack and consume unnecessary calories. Antioxidants in barley tea can boost your metabolism and help promote weight loss by reducing overeating.
Barley tea can be made in the refrigerator just like any iced tea.
2. May help with digestion
The fiber present in barley and therefore, in the tea may help in regulating your bowel movements in some cases, may prevent constipation, reduce a bloated stomach, and keeps your gut clean. It also acts as a natural antacid and may help in relieving indigestion, heartburn, or an upset stomach caused due to an imbalance in the gut acids.
3. Has a cooling effect
In Japan, barley is considered a ‘yin’ food. This simply means that it has the potential to cool you from within and bring down your core body temperature. So, grab a tall glass of barley tea on a hot and humid day and feel rejuvenated instantly.
4. May help you sleep better
Since it is caffeine-free, you can have it before you hit the bed and not worry about your sleep being disturbed. But, remember that moderation is the key.
Barley tea contains melatonin and tryptophan that promote good sleep.
Barley tea contains large amounts of Vitamin C that can help protect your immune system from diseases and shorten the duration of the common cold and flu. Vitamin C helps to increase the production of white blood cells, which makes it easier for your body to fight infections (2).
5. Great home remedy to fight colds and flu
Barley tea is rich in antioxidants and has anti-bacterial properties too. This makes it a great home remedy for cold and flu. It breaks up the phlegm and relieves you from congestion. At the same time, it also helps in building up your immunity and makes you stronger from within.
Get started now in switching from coffee and tea to barley as part of a healthy diet.
