30 Mar Barley & Barley Flour for Bread
Barley and wheat have long been an integral part of the human diet. Easy to domesticate, these cereals are used for food, drink, and feed production. They are similar in taste, look, and nutritional value, but have some significant differences as well. Knowing what wheat and barley offer and how they differ can help you make more informed dietary choices.

What to Know About Barley
Barley is a cereal mainly used in the production of livestock fodder. It’s also used to brew beer and make bread, stews, and other dishes. As a whole grain, it’s a rich source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.
Most stores sell barley either as hulled or pearled. Hulled barley undergoes minimal processing. Only the inedible outer shell is removed, leaving the germ and bran intact. Meanwhile, pearled barley doesn’t contain the hull or bran.
Hulled barley has more nutritional value and can better help you meet the recommended intake of certain nutrients, including:
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Phosphorus
- Fiber
- Folate
- Selenium
Barley is also a rich source of B vitamins, like niacin and thiamin, and contains a type of fiber called beta-glucans.
Scientists have found that eating barley may offer several health benefits:
Promotes heart health and lowers blood pressure. Barley contains several nutrients that support heart health. These include folate and vitamin B6, both which help reduce homocysteine, a compound that increases the risk of heart disease.
Boosts bone health. Barley contains calcium, phosphorous, copper, zinc, and magnesium. These all contribute to stronger bones. Zinc is crucial in this role and also helps in bone development.
May help prevent cancer. Barley contains selenium, an essential mineral that prevents inflammation.
If you have chronic inflammation, like in Crohn’s disease, you’re at a higher risk of getting cancer. Consuming foods containing selenium, which acts as an antioxidant, protects your cells against damage caused by free radicals.
Helps with digestion and weight management. Barley has a high fiber content that promotes the regularity of the digestive system. It also prevents constipation.
Eating foods rich in fiber, like barley, can also help with weight loss. Fiber functions as a “bulking agent” that makes you feel fuller for longer, reducing calorie consumption.
