Introduction
Barley grass juice powder, derived from the young leaves of Hordeum vulagare, has become popular in some groups around the world. We have talked previously about some of the outcomes that have been made possible with barley grass products. Things like weight loss, reducing symptoms of diabetes in lab animals, healing wounds faster, helping with gut, liver, and joint health, and even some anti-cancer activity. But what is it that makes this green superfood so special? Beyond its nutrients, which don’t look amazing at first glance, barley grass juice contains compounds that fight inflammation at a very deep, cellular level. (After all, health begins at the cellular level. Healthy cells, healthy body. Sick, diseased cells, diseased body.) In this article, we’ll take a peak at two studies that examined the science behind the antioxidant effect of barley grass juice.
Barley grass juice powder, derived from the young leaves of Hordeum vulgare, is a favorite among health enthusiasts. But what makes this green superfood so special? Beyond its nutrient density, barley grass juice contains compounds that fight inflammation at a cellular level. In this article, we’ll dive into two studies that uncover the science behind its anti-inflammatory effects, exploring how barley grass works to keep inflammation in check.
Suppressing Inflammation at the Cellular Level
A 2013 study by Choi and colleagues, published in Pharmaceutical Biology, investigated a methanol extract from barley’s aerial parts (including leaves similar to those used in barley grass juice). The researchers tested the extract in both cell cultures and animal models exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a bacterial toxin that triggers intense inflammation. In cell cultures, the barley extract significantly reduced inflammatory responses by lowering levels of pro-inflammatory molecules like nitric oxide and cytokines. In a powerful mice experiment, researchers injected mice with LPS to induce severe inflammation, mimicking conditions like sepsis. Control mice had a survival rate of only 20%, but mice given barley grass extract saw an impressive 80% survival rate. This experiment demonstrated that there are powerful anti-inflammatory compounds that can protect an animal (and maybe you) from inflammation-driven damage.
Control mice had a survival rate of only 20%, but mice given barley grass extract saw an impressive 80% survival rate.
What this means for you: This study reveals that barley grass contains compounds that can dial down inflammation at its source and even improve survival in extreme inflammatory conditions. Whether it’s chronic inflammation or everyday stress on your body, barley grass juice might help keep things balanced.
The Role of Antioxidant Flavonoids
A 2012 study by Kamiyama and Shibamoto, published in Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, zoomed in on the flavonoids found in young green barley leaves. Flavonoids are powerful antioxidants known for neutralizing harmful free radicals. The study identified several flavonoids, including saponarin and lutonarin in barley grass. These flavonoids exhibited potent antioxidant activity, with activity similar to the potency of vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) in several different antioxidant tests that were reported. So, barley grass has antioxidants that are active in water soluble regions, like Bz-TMF, and active in lipid-rich regions, like saponarin, so it covers all of your bases.
What this means for you: You have a wide range of antioxidants in your body. The flavonoids in barley grass juice join that army of protectors, giving you another layer of protection, like a shield. Adding barley grass to your diet could be a simple way to boost your body’s natural defenses.
The Science in Action
These studies show that barley grass juice fights inflammation through multiple mechanisms:
- Immune Modulation: By reducing pro-inflammatory molecules like cytokines and improving survival in LPS-challenged mice, barley grass helps calm an overactive immune response.
- Antioxidant Power: Flavonoids and other compounds neutralize oxidative stress in water-soluble and lipid-soluble parts of your cells. Quenching free-radical damage slows inflammation and keeps your body healthy at the cellular level.
This dual action makes barley grass juice a promising tool for supporting overall health, especially in conditions where inflammation plays a role, such as heart disease, arthritis, or even everyday fatigue.
Here are Some Ways to Drink Barley Grass Juice
- Smoothies: Blend a teaspoon of barley grass juice powder into your morning smoothie. One teaspoon won’t mess up the flavor much (says me, who has been drinking this kind of stuff for more than 25 years).
- Water or Juice: Mix a teaspoon with water or orange juice, grape juice, or pineapple juice. Or make a small shot of it and chase it with something must tastier as a reward.
- Capsules: Not so sure about that green drink stuff? We have BarleyMax in capsules as well.
- Tip: Start with a small dose, like a ¼ of a teaspoon if you are sensitive to foods, to see how your body responds. If you have chronic conditions or you’re taking medications, it would be a good idea to check with a nutritionally-minded healthcare provider.
Life and Death Begins at the Cellular Level: Choose Life!
As I mentioned at the beginning, health begins at the cellular level. Stopping inflammatory processes deep within cells and within their membranes is crucial to maintaining a healthy atmosphere at the cellular level. Inflammation is kind of like a burning fire. Who can live in a house very long while there is a fire burning down parts of the building? Even with our God-give amazing ability to heal ourselves, we need help from the foods we eat. It turns out that barley grass products are a great way to support natural healthy cells. They join your army of antioxidants in your body’s continual fight against inflammation. So, give it a try and see how this green gem can enhance your own health!
References
- Choi K-C, et al. (2013). Methanol extract of the aerial parts of barley (Hordeum vulgare) suppresses lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory responses in vitro and in vivo. Pharm Biol. Link
- Kamiyama M, Shibamoto T. (2012). Flavonoids with Potent Antioxidant Activity Found in Young Green Barley Leaves. J Agric Food Chem. Link
