Barley is a nutritious food that is high in fiber and low in fat. This ancient grain is really good for you!
And now it’s ready in 10 minutes.
Probably the greatest advancement of Snappy Grains quick-cooking barley is its convenience. Regular pearl and pot barley is extremely nutritious, too, but because of its long cooking times (up to an hour), some cooks have turned to other starches that cook faster.
With the average Canadian spending only 18-42 minutes per day cooking and cleaning up, we’ve made it easier than ever to get the nutrition-dense barley option onto your plate!
Health Benefits of Snappy Grains
In addition to its versatility, barley is a nutritious food that is high in fiber and low in fat. It’s no wonder this ancient grain is enjoying renewed interest among connoisseurs of good food and good health.
The health attributes of barley, whole grains and unprocessed foods are well-documented by the research community. Check out the benefits you’ll enjoy when you make Snappy Grains part of your cooking.
Heart Health
The beta-glucan in barley is higher than all other cereals (oat, wheat and rye). Health Canada linked the consumption of barley beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber, with lowered blood cholesterol, which is a risk factor in heart disease. A daily intake of 3 grams of beta-glucan is necessary to achieve this goal. The variety of barley used by Snappy Grains, Hilose, supplies 4 grams of beta-glucan per 50-gram (½ cup) serving.
High Fiber Content
When it comes to adding fiber to the diet, barley is an excellent choice. Both soluble and insoluble fibers are found throughout the barley kernel. Soluble and insoluble fibers provide food for the friendly bacteria in the large intestine. 50 grams (½ cup) of Snappy Grains quick-cooking barley provides 75% of the daily amount of the fiber shown to help lower cholesterol. Snappy Grains has one of highest fiber contents around because we use hull-less barley where all the bran and germ are retained.
Essential Vitamins and Minerals
Barley is a good source of many essential vitamins and minerals including thiamin, niacin, folate, riboflavin, iron, phosphorus, magnesium, zinc and selenium. Barley also contains beneficial components to health such as tocopherols, phenolic compounds, phytosterols and lignans.
Probiotics/Prebiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics provide many health benefits, including creating a diversity of helpful intestinal flora, improvement of allergies, digestive regularity and general well-being. Whole grains, barley and beta-glucan have been identified as providing positive prebiotic benefits while maintaining good stomach health
Diabetes and the Glycemic Index
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) confirmed that a daily intake of 4 grams of beta-glucan could reduce the risks of Type 2 Diabetes. Soluble fiber slows the absorption of glucose into the blood stream and reduces the need for insulin in diabetics.
The Glycemic Index (GI) is a measurement of how fast different carbohydrate-containing foods raise your blood sugar levels. High GI foods raise blood sugars faster than low GI foods, with low GI foods raising levels in a more controlled way. Snappy Grains quick-cooking barley is produced from the Hilose barley variety that has a low GI of 38. Comparisons for GI values are detailed in the following table.
Glycemic Index of Common Starches (Barley and Diabetes Fact Sheet: gobarley.com)
Snappy Nutrition Tip
With Snappy Grains, it’s easy to add this nutrition-packed grain to prepared foods for that extra nutritional punch! Prepare Snappy Grains barley in advance, store it in the fridge, then add it to prepared soups, stews, casseroles and salads for an extra shot of flavor, texture, fiber and nutrients.
Resistant Starch
Foods containing high levels of resistant starch yield fewer calories and lower glycemic loads, and these are important considerations for diabetics and those who are weight conscious. Studies indicate that the resistant starch amylose has health benefits because its slower absorption can improve insulin sensitivity, lower blood sugar levels, reduce appetite and have a beneficial effect on the colon. Amylose starch, considered a fiber component in foods, is resistant to human digestion but is digestible by intestinal flora. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) indicated health claims could be made for food with a final resistant starch content of at least 14%, while foods with at least 25% of its starch as resistant starches would be desirable. The Snappy Grains barley, Hilose, contains 44% resistant amylose starch.
Feeling full, longer
Since Snappy Grains quick-cooking barley is pre-cooked and dried, it has a greater water-binding capacity than pearl barley – in fact, Snappy Grains has up to 3-times more binding power than pearl barley. It provides a higher satiety effect when consumed, so you stay full, longer. This could provide appetite suppression benefits to reduce food cravings, and may help lower the frequency of snacking.
For more information on the nutritional benefits of barley, visit The Barley Council of Canada website: gobarley.com