Your Ultimate guide to everything Barley grass Juice powder
Author: R Jada (Health Consultant) | 29 April 2024Â Â
Fact checked by: Philip Jermann (Biologist) | Dr Ramila (Nutritional Practitioner)Â
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What is Barley grass juice powder?
In a nutshell, barley grass juice powder (a whole food supplement) and sometimes called a green super powder drink is derived from the young, nutrient-rich leaves of the barley plant.
These leaves are harvested and juiced, then the juice is dried into a fine powder.
It’s packed with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and enzymes, making it a popular dietary supplement.
Health folks such as yourself often mix it into their smoothies, juices, or water to add a nutritional boost to their diet. It’s known for its potential health benefits such as energy support, anti oxidant effects, helping your with your digestion, detoxification, and overall health.
How does barley grass powder taste?
This depends if its barley grass juice powder or only barley grass.
Barley grass juice powder generally tastes better as its less earthy so to speak and the process to get the juice is different.
AIM has a variation known as AIMÂ BarleyLife Xtra and this basically combines barley with 18 different fruits and vegetables in a powder form.
For some that prefer capsules, some brands also has these options available.Â
Barley grass powder vs barley grass juice powder?
There are some differences:
Barley juice powder:Â Here the grass is harvested at a young stage and subjected to a cold press process that separates the fiber from the juice. The resulting juice is then dried to form a powder, commonly referred to as juice powder.
Barley grass powder on the other hand is usually made by drying and grinding the whole barley grass, including the leaves, stems, and sometimes even the seeds.
Nutrient Concentration: Barley grass juice powder tends to be more concentrated in nutrients compared to barley grass powder because it’s made from the juice of the grass, which is rich in vitamins, minerals, and chlorophyll.
However, barley grass powder still contains many beneficial nutrients, albeit in slightly lower concentrations.
Is young barley grass powder good for you?Â
Yes and very!
Here’s why:
Packed with nutrients from plants
Barley grass powder serves as a nutritional powerhouse, giving you a foundation for overall health. It contains vital nutrients ) that support various bodily functions, contributing to overall well-being.
NUTRIENTS IN BARLEY
- Vitamin A, C, K, E, B6
- Iron
- Iodine
- Niacin (some only)
- Magnesium
- Copper
- Chromium
- Calcium
- Folate
- Manganese
- PotassiumÂ
- Chromium
- Phosphorus
Boosts Energy Levels
One significant benefit of barley grass powder is its ability to boost energy levels. By giving you the key nutrients such as the ones listed above, this fuels your body with the vitality its needs to tackle the day head-on. No need for that afternoon coffee my fellow health friends!
Supports Alkalinity
Did you know that having a balanced pH level is crucial for optimal health. Barley grass powder helps naturally alkalize your body, restoring that perfect balance and giving you a healthy internal environment.
Rich in Antioxidants
Now, let’s talk antioxidants. Think of them as your body’s natural defense army, fighting off the bad guys (aka free radicals) to keep your cells safe and protected. Barley grass powder is loaded with these strong fighters, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), lutonarin, and saponarin, ready to take on any oxidative stress that comes your way.
Detoxifies your Body
Another way to get rid of that bad army in you is to detox and with its high chlorophyll content, barley grass powder is your natural detoxifier, helping to rid your body of toxins and promote optimal cellular function.
Barley grass juice powder contains phytonutrients that feed an undernourished liver while allowing it to detoxify dozens of toxins and poisons you’ve inherited from the past and that you’re exposed to in the present moment. It’s a responsible detoxifier with take-and-give integrity, replacing the troublemakers it removes from the body with vital nutrients. It also holds specific alkaloids that help prevent the thyroid from atrophying.
Convenient in a powderÂ
We know life can get hectic but that shouldn’t mean your health takes a knock as well.
Barley grass powder gives you a convenient way to achieve total wellness without compromising potency. With each serving providing the nutritional equivalent of multiple cups of barley leaves, it eliminates the hassle of juicing while delivering maximum benefits. No more wrestling with juicers or cleaning up green mess—just scoop, mix, and sip your way to wellness.
Another super delicious drink that is packed with goodness such as spinach, kale and loads of greens is our Leafy green powder supplement.Â
Barley leaf extract is also used in skin care for its benefits
Is barley grass powder good for the liver?
So while there is no hard evidence on this topics, there are some results that points to the direction that barley grass juice powder may be beneficial for fatty liver.
As it has an army of good guys like like chlorophyll and antioxidants, they help fight the bad guys i.e. your fatty liver. How is this done? We know that barley can reduce inflammation and help with oxidative stress correct and this is how it benefits your liver.
Always talk to your doctor for more details regarding medical topics such as livers etc.
How is young Barley grass harvested and processed?
A super question and this depends on the BRAND and the methods they use.Â
To best asswer this question, we will look at AIM BarleyLife and another general brand.
The primary distinction between BarleyLife and other brands lies in the processing method of the barley.
BarleyLife is derived from the juice powder of young barley plants, while other brands consists of dehydrated barley grass. This dissimilarity is evident in the fiber content, with BarleyLife containing no fiber, while the other contains more fiber (equivalent to 40% of the serving).
In the production of BarleyLife, the grass is harvested at a young stage and subjected to a cold press process that separates the fiber from the juice. The resulting juice is then dried to form a powder, commonly referred to as juice powder.
On the other hand, other methods involves harvesting the grass, followed by drying and grinding it into a fine powder, known as whole-leaf powder.
What are the differences between differences between species, Hordeum vulgare and Hordeum distichum?
Regarding the differences between species, Hordeum vulgare and Hordeum distichum are both species of barley, which belong to the genus Hordeum in the grass family (Poaceae). While they share similarities, there are some key differences between them:
Spikelet Arrangement: One of the main differences between H. vulgare (two-row barley) and H. distichum (six-row barley) lies in the arrangement of the spikelets on the barley inflorescence. In two-row barley, the spikelets are arranged in two rows along the central rachis (the main axis of the inflorescence), while in six-row barley, the spikelets are arranged in six rows.
Number of Grains: The arrangement of the spikelets directly affects the number of grains produced by each type of barley. Two-row barley generally produces larger grains and fewer of them per spikelet, while six-row barley produces smaller grains but more of them per spikelet.
Cultivation: H. vulgare is more commonly cultivated and has a longer history of cultivation compared to H. distichum. Two-row barley is preferred for malting and brewing purposes, as it has a higher enzyme content and is better suited for producing malt. Six-row barley, on the other hand, is often used for animal feed and food products like cereals.
Genetic Differences: H. vulgare and H. distichum also have some genetic differences. Two-row barley is considered to be genetically distinct from six-row barley, and they have different alleles at certain loci. These genetic differences can influence various traits, including grain size, malting quality, disease resistance, and adaptation to different environments.
No Double Dipping! Harvesting crops of young barley leaves from only one seeding ensures their optimal nutritive value in BarleyLife.
There’s not a lot of research dedicated to the subtle nutrient differences between the grasses before the development of the grain.Â
What’s the difference between barley grass and wheat grass?
So there are some similarities and differences here:
Similarities
Barley grass is loaded with chlorophyll, vitamins A, C, and K, plus a bunch of essential minerals like calcium and potassium. On the other hand, wheatgrass contains lots of enzymes like superoxide dismutase (SOD), which sounds sciency but basically means it’s a powerhouse when it comes to fighting off those nasty free radicals.
Here’s a fun fact: both barley grass and wheatgrass come from grains that contain gluten. But not to worry if you are gluten-sensitive. These grasses are harvested before the grain develops, so they’re gluten-free and safe for most of us who would like to introduce this into our diets. It’s like getting the benefits without the baggage – talk about a win-win!
These green wonders aren’t just about looking pretty – they’re packed with health benefits too. Think detox support, immunity boosting, and even helping out with your digestion and weight management. It’s like having a personal cheerleader in your corner, cheering you on towards a healthier, happier you!
DifferencesÂ
Growing conditions is one difference. You see Barley grass grows best in cooler climates, while wheatgrass prefers soaking up the sun in warmer environments.Â
Taste as well. Wheat grass has a sweeter taste and barley more of a robust taste.
Does Barley grass help with weight loss?Â
While there are many factors to consider when approaching weight loss, a study on animals given a high fat diet for 60 days and were supplemented with barley grass, showed weight loss to occur.
Study here: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30951844/
This study showed (the results) the antiobesity activity of barley grass juice (Hordeum vulgare L.) and it may be concluded that barley grass juice can be an effective nutraceutical in the management of obesity.
All of the above can contribute to weight loss provided you are in a calorie deficit.Â
Does Barley grass help with diabetes?Â
Yes, Barley grass juice powder has been showed to help with managing blood sugar levels.
A study done on diabetic rats showcases this:
Comba A, Mis L, Aksu DS, et al. Effect of Barley Grass Juice on Antioxidant Capacity and DNA Damage in Diabetic Rats. Hitit Med J
2023;5(3): 149-155. https://doi.org/10.52827/hititmedj.1281145
Results of study: Â It was determined that barley grass juice lowered blood sugar, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, total oxidative status as well as oxidative
stress index values, increased total anti-oxidative status value, and body weights in streptozotocin-induced diabetes. To add to the above, the study also showed that the addition of barley grass juice gave a significant protective effect and improvement in these parameters.
Material and Method: 4 groups were formed for the study and 6 male rats weighing 250-350 g were used in each group.
Control Group: consisted of physiological saline was injected via intraperitoneal., Diabetic Group; created made streptozotocin.
Barley Grass Group: Barley grass juice (3 ml/rat/day) was given orally for 4 weeks, Diabetic and Barley Grass Group; was injected streptozotocin and barley grass juice were fed orally for 4 weeks
Conclusion: Based on these findings, the research showed that barley grass juice has an antidiabetic-antioxidant effect and weight gain in diabetes mellitus
Vitamins and Mineral in Barley Grass that may help you with diabetes
Vitamins:
- Vitamin C as this is a fantastic vitamin high in antioxidant properties. This vitamin may help improve glycemic control and lower your risk of complications linked with diabetes.
- Next on this list we will look at vitamin E and their job is to improve insulin sensitivity.
- To cap of this army of vitamins, let us look at Vitamin K and its role in glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity, which may help your quest in managing diabetes.
Minerals:
- Now on to the minerals, lets look at Magnesium first as this is just so important for over 300 functions in your body. Not to mention vital for glucose metabolism and insulin management. Did you know that if your magnesium levels are low, this increases you risk of resistance and type 2 diabetes.
- On to chromium for a bit and although this minerals role to help in diabetes is debated, it is however linked in glucose metabolism and may improve your insulin sensitivity.
Does Barley grass have gluten?
So this is a great questions and it really depends on the brand so be sure to check out the GLUTEN Free label prior to your purchase.Â
For a product to be considered gluten free it must have less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten, as defined by
the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
All packaged BarleyLife in AIM’s inventory have met this requirement and are gluten free.
Does Barley grass have Fiber?
This depends on the harvesting process and if the fiber is extracted at that stage or not. Each brand different and some may have fiber and others may not (NOT a bad thing at all if no fiber is present)
The extraction of juice from the fiber in barley enhances the bioavailability of the grass’s nutrients, facilitating their absorption by the body (this is a good thing)
Does barley grass powder have iron?
We have looked at 3 of the main barley grass brands in South Africa and from the data:
Al of them have between 10g – 20g of Iron per 100grams.
How to drink barley grass juice?
How much?
It depends on your needs but in a nutshell – for ages 20 – 60, a good starting point is to stir, blend or shake 8 grams per day of barley grass in 250 ml of water. For younger individuals, a good start is 2-4 grams per day
Can you take barley grass on an empty stomach?Â
Yes sure, in fact this is recommended as the nutrients are best absorbed on an emty stomoch.
Does barley grass powder have chlorophyll?
Yes, generally speaking, most barley grass powder brands should have does contain chlorophyll.
Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in plants that allows photosynthesis to occur, converting sunlight into energy. Since barley grass is a green plant, it naturally contains chlorophyll, which is one of the reasons it’s considered a nutritious supplement.
Chlorophyll NOT Chlorophyllin
Many supplements that claim to provide chlorophyll actually contain chlorophyllin: a semi-synthetic concoction of sodium copper salts derived from chlorophyll. BarleyLife delivers the real thing: natural plant chlorophyll.
Is barley grass powder high in potassium?
Yes, we have looked into 3 brands of barley grass powders and all of them do have potassium.
If you would like to know how HIGH than we have compared it to and avocado (very high in potassium). An avocado has approx. 975 mg of potassium in it
Approx. 3250mg – 3800mg per 100grams.
Per serving (4g) you will get 130g of potassium.
How many calories in barley grass powder?
Very low. 15 calories (63kj) per 4 grams (1 serving)
Looking at the big barley grass powder brands in South Africa, you’ll be happy to know they are all very low in calories.
Does barley grass powder have caffeine?
There is no caffeine in barley grass juice powder.
Is barley grass powder alkaline?
Barley grass juice powder in general has strong alkalizing properties and this helps to keep our ratio between acidity and alkalinity balanced.
As it contains large amounts of alkaline minerals such as the ones listed below, barley has alkalizing effects.
- PotassiumÂ
- CopperÂ
- CalciumÂ
- Zinc
- MagnesiumÂ
- Iron
- SodiumÂ
- ChromiumÂ
What can I mix with barley grass powder?
- WaterÂ
- Juice
- Milk
Which is better barley grass powder or capsules?Â
From our time working with 100s of clients, this one comes down to what you prefer more and stay consistent with.
If you don’t like the taste of barley grass juice powder, capsules are you go to. Ensure they are veggie caps if you follow a vegan diet.
Does barley grass powder expire?Â
Yes it does. Its best to use your product within ONE Year of opening for optimal nutritional value.
Once it’s past its expiration date, the quality and nutritional value may be less.
Is barley grass powder good for dogs
Most barley products are pet friendly since they are packed with vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, phytonutrients and enzymes making them an ideal supplement for both cats and dogs. You can always ask your local vet if you are unsure.Â
What is the best brand of barley grass powder?
As we this post is meant to educate and not promote, this one boils down to the harvesting process and quality as theses are the 2 factors to consider.Â
What to look for when choosing a barley grass juice powder brand?
This is a question that would be more in line and something we can answer:
- High amounts of Chlorophyll NOT Chlorophyllin
- Does it past the Coagulation Test? This is to show if the enzymes are alive
- No fat content
- No Fiber (as we have mentioned this can be a good thing)
- Harvesting method that involves cold processing and spray drying of barley grass.
Do Protein Coagulation Test in Your Green Juice
If you have the time folks and have 2-3 different brand of Barley grass juice powder than this test should yield interesting results and help.
Its called the Protein Coagulation Test and its super easy to do:
- Simply add 1 tablespoon of each barley to a glass of steaming HOT water
- What are we looking for? Proteins are made up of strands of enzymes and amino acids. If the barley has been processed correctly at a low temperature, the powder will cook just like an egg when you add it to the hot water. This shows us that the enzymes are still intact and have not been destroyed by the heat.Â
- For your convenience, these are the results when we compared AIM Barley to others:
Where can I buy barley grass powder?
So for this you have 5 options:
- Online health shops and retailers that sell barley online
- Farmers market
- Your local health shop
- Bulk suppliers
- Physical retail pharmacies
 Disclaimer
The information in this article is meant to educate and inform and should NOT be used as substitute for any medical condition. Always visit or talk to your health care provider before embarking on something new.
About our Author:
Razia Jada is an independent AIM distributer and health consultant in South Africa.Â
