Barley - A Superfood That Is Good For The Heart
Author: Nia Rouseberg
Time for reading: ~1
minutes
Last Updated:
August 08, 2022
Consumption of barley lowers blood cholesterol levels and is good for bone health.
Barley is the latest in a long list of so-called superfoods. Moreover, some researchers believe that cereals can improve heart health .
Consumption of barley or foods containing it leads to a significant reduction in the levels of "bad" cholesterol . It is a well-known risk factor for the development of cardiovascular disease, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke .
Consumption of barley lowers the levels of both low-density lipoprotein - LDL cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein - HDL cholesterol, by 7%.
Barley can also be useful for lowering blood pressure. For this purpose, low sodium intake and at the same time lower potassium intake are essential . In addition, potassium, calcium and magnesium, all of which are found in barley, can naturally lower blood pressure .
According to a study published in the Journal of the American Dietetic Association , increased intake of whole grains can have a beneficial effect on blood pressure and also help control weight.
Iron , phosphorus, calcium, magnesium, manganese and zinc in whole grains contribute to building and maintaining bone health . The balance between phosphate and calcium is necessary for proper bone mineralization . Consumption of excessive amounts of phosphorus in combination with low calcium can lead to bone loss.
Choline is a very important nutrient in barley, which is useful for sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory. Choline also helps maintain the structure of cell membranes, as well as the transmission of nerve impulses . It is also beneficial for fat absorption and reduces chronic inflammation .