Sunday, May 2, 2010

Miracle Foods of the Bible : BARLEY

Barley is referenced over 30 times in The Bible. It is no wonder people of The Bible consumed it regularly, as it is truly a super food. One of the most popular references to Barley is in Ezekiel:   
Ezekiel 4:9 "Take wheat and barley, beans and lentils, millet and spelt; put them in a storage jar and use them to make bread for yourself. You are to eat it during the 390 days you lie on your side."   
This is such a well-known verse; there is even a brand of bread products of the same name. However, there are also other references in The Bible to consuming barley for its benefits. The loaves Jesus fed the thousands with were loaves of Barley:   
John 6:9 "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?"   
Some other references to barley in The Bible include:   
2Chronicles 2:15 "Now let my Lord send his servants the wheat and barley and the olive oil and wine he promised   
Ruth 3: 16-17 "When Ruth came to her mother-in-law, Naomi asked, "How did it go, my daughter?" Then she told her everything Boaz had done for her and added, "He gave me these six measures of barley, saying, 'Don't go back to your mother-in-law empty-handed.'"   
Barley is indeed one of God's miracle foods. It is packed with nutrients including: fiber, vitamins including thiamine (Vitamin B1), niacin (Vitamin B3), iron, selenium zinc, phosphorus, magnesium, and copper. It also contains antioxidants which slow cell degeneration, and is low in cholesterol and fat. Additionally, barley is a healthy whole grain, which in clinical trials has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels in some individuals.   
Barley also has been show to have a low glycemic index, making it perfect for people with diabetes. Glycemic index refers to how slowly a food enters the blood stream and raises insulin levels. Barley has been shown to keep insulin levels more stable than many other grains, making it ideal for people watching their sugar intake. Additionally, recent studies have found whole grains such as barley are beneficial in reducing and maintaining a healthy weight.
       

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