Juice Fasting

Barley was probably the first grain cultivated by humans, and the benefits of barley grass juice have actually been known for centuries.  People in the Middle East, Mediterranean region, and Asia all used the shoots of barley either to eat or to make into juice.  At a certain stage of development, barley grass is at the peak of nutritional value, and it is during this stage that barley grass juice is made.  Some people will actually grow flats of barley grass in their home and juice it themselves, but it can also be purchased as a bottled drink, or as a powder that can be mixed with water or fruit juices to make a refreshing and nutritious beverage.  People who are unable to tolerate wheatgrass juice will still be able to drink barley grass juice.

The reason that barley grass juice could be considered the perfect beverage is because it is simply full of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.  It will probably surprise you to learn that barley grass juice contains more calcium and vitamin B1 than from spinach and the milk from cows – 30 times more in the case of vitamin B1 and 11 times more as regards calcium.  The levels of iron and vitamin C also exceed those found in foods we usually associate with these nutrients.  Barley grass juice also contains high levels of beta carotene and vitamin B12.  Additionally, barley grass juice has about 23% protein, making it able to deliver more of this vital nutrient than steak or eggs.  No wonder it is thought that you could survive on nothing but barley grass juice.

Aging brings with it a multitude of problems, including the possibility of developing arthritis.  It is considered that one of the causes of these diseases could be free radicals – those loose cannon oxygen atoms that disrupt cell function and even damage DNA.  Getting rid of these free radicals is easy when barley grass juice is included in your diet, as this drink can provide an enzyme that strengthens and protects the body’s cells again harm.  The antioxidant qualities of barley grass juice are so strong that it is thought that it can actually destroy unhealthy cells.

Amino acids are extremely important if we are to maintain our health.  Amino acids are what form together in chains to build tissue in our bodies.  They are essential for replacement of cells and for a number of other purposes.  And, although amino acids are so necessary, our bodies do not store them for more than a day – we must get the right amount of amino acids every day to keep our bodies strong and healthy. Barley grass juice contains 18 amino acids, including 8 that are our bodies are unable to make, so barley grass juice is important in keeping your body running as it should and helping it to rebuild cells and tissues.

Our bodies run in a narrow path between acidity and alkalinity, and it is very easy, because of the wrong diet, for the body to become more acid.  Higher levels of acid can result in acidosis, which can cause headaches, respiratory problems, diarrhea, vomiting, fatigue, arrhythmia of the heart, confusion, and muscular weakness.  Most of us eat too many processed foods, which tend to make the body acid.  Another health benefit of drinking barley grass juice is that it is an excellent way to counteract an overly acid condition, and a refreshing glass of this juice will help to restore the proper pH balance of your body.  It is not surprising that most people feel energized after they begin to drink barley grass juice, as it will help deal with fatigue as well as many other problems.