Barley, super food with amazing nutritional value

One of the more evident uses of barley (Hordeum vulgare), which belongs to the grass family that produces an edible whole grain, was for beer production and dates back to circa 3500–3100 BC in Iran, while the Greeks utilized its properties for cereal and porridge preparation.

For ancient Israelites, barley was an important ingredient to make malt and bread, and provided Roman Gladiators (Hordearii or Barley Men) with super strength and stamina for combat. It also served as nutritious feed to domesticated livestock such as horses, cows, pigs, goats, sheep and chicken.

Dr. Nicholas Perricone, a board-certified clinical and research dermatologist and an adjunct professor of Medicine at Michigan State University’s College of Human Medicine, regarded barley as “one of the grains with the greatest health benefits, delightful flavor and versatility.”

Today it continues to show incredible contributions to alternative medicine, food and sports because of its astonishing characteristics. For instance, young barley grass has more than twice the number of oxygen radical observance capacity (ORAC) or antioxidant value than 200 grams each of prunes, raisins, kale, raw spinach and grapes combined.

Thus, it is not surprising that the most nutritious of all plant foods recognized by science is regarded by the statistics division of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAOSTAT) as the fourth most important cereal crop in the world in terms of quantity produced and area of cultivation.

Health wonders

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has long confirmed that regular intake of whole grain barley helps reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. A barley variety, Prowashonupana, on the other hand, has slow digestion properties that help in weight control. Researchers at the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Texas Children’s Hospital recommended this as appropriate for obese and diabetic patients, and have high levels of soluble beta-glucan fiber which help reduce cholesterol, control blood sugar and improve immune system function, found in its grain.

Given its natural health wonders, even Filipinos can now enjoy its nutritional benefits. The sole resource of young organic pure barley grass (hordeum vulgare) in the country is Santé International, Inc., which has long captured the hearts and interests of Filipinos to consume barley products since it was established in 2008.

“We only sold the purest, greenest and healthiest variety of barley. This is to ensure that clients get the guaranteed nutritional benefits of barley, be it in the form of supplements, chocolate drink, coffee or even soap,” assures Jesus Joey Marcelo, Chief Executive Officer of Santé International, Inc.

One of the most opted brands of Santé is Santé Barley Pure New Zealand that helps constipated people, those with slow metabolism and has weak immune system. Packed in blister strips of 10 vegetable capsules, its high-fiber content promotes regular bowel movement and acts as detoxifier that removes heavy toxic metals in the body. Since it is harvested when the nutrients are concentrated, its young grass is rich in chlorophyll, a deodorizer that helps control bad breath, urine and fecal and body odor, and is absolutely safe and also recommended for vegetarians and even vegans.

Real-life Santé Barley Pure consumers often share how this super food changed their lives, like 73-year-old retired medical technologist Jesusa Cariño, who suffered a  mild stroke in January 2010. She was unable to walk and suffered from vertigo that required her to take medications. When she started taking Santé Barley twice a day in January 2011, she noticed a difference after 3 weeks, when she was able to walk without aid. Since then, Cariño went to taking just one Santé Barley every day and continues to do her walking, saying Santé Barley gives her continued strength, and even her friends noticed that her skin became finer and brighter.

Singer-songwriter April Boy Regino, on the other hand, thanked his brother in law for encouraging him to try the product when he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2009. “Higit sa lahat, ang Diyos ang nagpapagaling (more than anything else, it is God who heals). The organic barley grass powder is a gift that He gave us,” he said.

For Ria Immaculata, who suffered with “Osteomyelitis” or non-healing wound for 2 years. It was a simple wound that grew bigger because it was left untreated. The wound was already black and emitting foul odors, and Ria was having bowel movement problems and was constantly suffering with cough and colds. Doctors already wanted to have her right foot amputated.

After taking Santé Pure Barley capsules 3 times a day, the now 14-year-old Ria noticed her wound was healing, and cells were developing again in her deep wound. Her bowel movement became regular and her cough and colds were gone.

Marcelo clarified that barley is not a supplement like the usual vitamins but a whole food concentrate, and encourages people to try it to enjoy its benefits. “Just like what Greek physician Hippocrates said, ‘Let food be your medicine and medicine be your food.’”

To know more about barley and Sante International, Inc., visit www.santebarley.com.