Fast 2 Fit #2: The healing power of Barley, One of the favorite foods of Prophet Mohammad (SAW)
The Ancient Sunnah Food that you should add to your Suhoor and Iftar meal plan.
Barley is one of the most sturdy and easy to grow grains. The humble barley plant has been used for centuries as a staple everyday grain to make porridge and bread. In fact, the barley plant is mentioned in the Quran, Torah, and the Bible.
Read on to learn more about the new scientific research about the superpowers of this blessed grain mentioned in the Prophet’s (SAW) Hadith.
It has been often neglected because of the modern food industry that mostly favors the super bleached and unhealthy white bread made out of over-processed wheat.
Barley has been mentioned many times in Quran and Hadith.
Narrated Yusuf ibn Abdullah ibn Salam: “I saw that the Prophet took a piece of bread of barley and put a date on it and said: This is the condiment of this.
[Abu Dawud: 3830; Book 28; English Book 27; Hadees. 3821].
Barley bread has appeared in the diets of many prophets, including Prophet Mohammad.
“The Messenger of Allah(SAW) used to spend many nights in a row hungry and his family could find no supper, and usually their bread was barley bread.”
[Ibn Ma-jah: 3472; Book. 29; English vol. 4; Book. 29, Hadees. 3347]
What are the health benefits of Barley?
Barley contains protein, and carbs, fiber, other important micronutrition such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, etc. While those are some standard nutrition you can get from other sources too, it is the Beta-Glucan and various other phytochemicals in barley that make it the super grain. Regular consumption of Barley has anecdotal evidence of lowering bad cholesterol and preventing cardiovascular diseases as well as managing diabetes, and blood pressure, colon health, and prevents some types of cancers. Barley is also anti-inflammatory and hence great for managing pain.
If you want to learn in more detail, regarding the chemical composition of Barley, check out this study.
Prevents neurodegenerative disorders
Barley is great for brain health. Eat barley to prevent the early onset of Alzheimer’s and dementia and keep your brain cells stronger.
Prophet Muhammad (SAW) prescribed Barley for healing of the heart and cure of disease.
Great for bone health
This study shows that Barley is great for bone (and teeth) health. It particularly mitigates estrogen deficiency-induced bone loss.
Improves heart health
Barley helps lower bad cholesterol and improves good cholesterol. It also has an anti-oxidant effect. Regular consumption of Barley prevents heart diseases. This study shows that eating barley for only 3 weeks resulted in a reduction of bad cholesterol by up to 60%.
A'isha(RA) told that she heard Allah's Messenger(SAW) say, "Talbina* gives rest to an invalid's heart and removes some of his grief."
[Mishkat al-Masabih 4179 | https://sunnah.com/mishkat:4179]
*Talbina is a kind of sweet porridge made of barley flour or bran and milk, sometimes having honey mixed with it.
Manage diabetes and lose weight
This study shows that Barley is one of the the very few grains suitable for eating in moderation by diabetics, along with whole grain wheat and oats. The fiber in barley will keep you fuller longer and help you lose weight and maintains a good general overall digestive system health.
Other health benefits of Barley
There are so many health benefits of this one little grain, that it is too many to list individually. Barley has the potential to reduce the risk of colonic cancer [this study], [and this], high blood pressure [this study], and gallstones[study], [and this study].
How to use Barley in your everyday diet?
With all of these health benefits, and grain as close to nature as possible. It has not yet been genetically modified and over-processed like wheat. Everyone should be using it in their diet, instead of bread. Personally, I always had Barley at home because I love Haleem (A savory Barley porridge made with Indian Spices) but even I had been forgetting to use it.
While we are on the topic of Haleem, Check out this article for Lentil Barley Soup Recipe aka Haleem’ish And Health Benefits of Barley
Talbina - The Barley Porridge for Suhur.
Soak barley overnight and then cook in water for about 30 minutes. Add a little bit of heavy cream or whole milk. If you need it sweetened add local honey, dates or raising. You could possibly try to eat this topped with berries and nuts, if you want a change.
I also share the recipe for Barley flatbread (Tortilla) in the Fast 2 Fit ebook. This flatbread could be just what you need for your Ramadan dinner.
Conclusion
It is important to note that you can read about most of these benefits and never eat Barley, in which case it is pointless for me to even write this article. You can only develop a habit of eating Barley every day and get its tremendous health benefits. Another reason to eat Barley every day is to earn the rewards of following the Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad (SAW).
Allah says in the Quran, “You have a good model in the Messenger of Allah for one who hopes for Allah and the Last Day.” (Qur’an, 33:21)
There are various other authentic Sunnah of Prophet Mohammad that I have included in the Fast 2 Fit book. Have you gotten your copy of the Fast 2 Fit ebook yet? Get closer to Allah this Ramadan and learn the ways of how Prophet Mohammad (SAW) used to fast, pray, eat and drink.