Barley water is obtained through a very simple cooking process of barley.

Ingredients

> 1 l of water

> 70 g of barley

Preparation

Rinse the barley, pour it into the water, boil and then cook over low heat until the beans are soft and swollen. Strain the barley water and let it cool before drinking .

Barley water can be prepared with wholegrain barley, pearled or hulled or even with a mixture, however, taking into account that whole barley requires longer cooking times.

Pearl barley does not need to be soaked. The decorticated barley needs about 45 minutes to soak while for the whole barley it takes about 24 hours .

As far as the preparation time of barley water is concerned, if the pearled and / or decorticated are used, it takes about 50 minutes of cooking, while for whole barley about 90 minutes .

If you want to improve the taste of barley water, add lemon juice and / or a teaspoon of honey.

Barley water can be stored in the refrigerator for up to three days . You can consume one or two glasses a day.

Of course, the beans used for the preparation of the decoction should not be wasted and can be consumed in various ways, inserting them in the recipe you prefer.

Properties and benefits of barley water

Barley water is considered a good natural remedy and has been given various benefits.

> Barley water helps you lose weight . In fact, it has a high fiber content and has a high satiety index. It also stimulates the metabolism .

> Promotes digestion and bowel regularity.

> It is diuretic and has a mild anti-inflammatory effect. It is therefore considered a good remedy for grandmother against cystitis .

> Thanks to the high content of soluble fiber it helps to control cholesterol levels in the blood .

> It has a low glycemic index. It is a slow-release carbohydrate and helps keep blood glucose levels constant for many hours after meals . Thanks to these qualities it is a good ally against diabetes.

> Barley water is rich in minerals, especially magnesium, manganese, iron, calcium, copper, zinc and selenium. It also contains a fair amount of B vitamins .

> It is good for the skin, not only thanks to the diuretic effect that allows to eliminate toxins but also thanks to the presence of azelaic acid, a compound useful especially against acne.

> It is refreshing, especially if lemon juice is added. It is very useful for re-hydrating the body, especially in summer or after physical activity.

Barley water during pregnancy

Barley water can also be consumed during pregnancy and is a good natural remedy to help control gestational diabetes. It allows to prevent and combat water retention typical of this period and to preserve the regularity of the intestine.

It can also help against morning sickness . It must naturally be inserted in a context of healthy nutrition, without exceeding.