Nutrition Facts Fruit and Vegetables The Health Benefits of Barley Grass Juice By Cathy Wong facebook twitter Cathy Wong is a nutritionist and wellness expert. Her work is regularly featured in media such as First For Women, Woman's World, and Natural Health. Learn about our editorial process Cathy Wong Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Elena Klimenko, MD on October 01, 2020 facebook linkedin Elena Klimenko, MD, is a board-certified doctor in internal medicine and licensed in medical acupuncture and homeopathy. Learn about our Review Board Elena Klimenko, MD on October 01, 2020 Print David McNew/Stringer/Getty Images News Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Overview Uses Benefits Side Effects Barley grass is the young leaf of the barley plant (Hordeum vulgare). Sometimes referred to as "barley leaves" or "barley green," barley grass is rich in chlorophyll and antioxidants (such as lutonarin and saponarin), and also contains gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), ferulic acid, vitamins, and minerals. Overview Barley grass is used as an ingredient at many juice bars. In addition, natural-food stores often sell bottled juice drinks containing barley grass juice. Some stores also sell kits that allow you to grow your own barley grass for juicing purposes. In Japan, green juices made with ingredients like young barley grass juice are known as "aojiru," and are widely consumed to enhance health. Available for purchase online, barley grass powder (a dehydrated form of barley grass extract), barley grass capsules, and barley grass tablets are sold in many natural-food stores and in stores specializing in dietary supplements. Uses for Barley Grass Proponents claim that barley grass can help certain chronic health conditions, including: AcneDiabetesHeart diseaseHigh blood pressureHigh cholesterolInsomnia Additionally, barley grass is said to improve sleep, promote weight loss, enhance energy, reduce inflammation, stimulate the digestive system, and boost immunity. Barley grass juice is sometimes compared to wheatgrass juice. According to one study, participants sampling a variety of grass drinks found that the taste of a wheatgrass drink was neither liked or disliked, but barley grass drink was disliked. Benefits of Barley Grass So far, there is very little scientific support for any claims about the health effects of barley grass. Barley grass contains hexacosanol, a compound that may improve cholesterol metabolism by decreasing cholesterol synthesis. A study published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine in 2015 investigated the effects of a barley sprout extract on lipid metabolism in healthy adults. Participants received either a barley leaf extract (in capsule form) or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. At the study's end, there was no difference in clinical or laboratory findings (including total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol) in the barley grass group compared to the placebo group. A small study published in Diabetes & Metabolism in 2002 assessed the effects of a young barley leaf extract supplement and/or vitamins C and E on LDL oxidation and antioxidant activity in people with type 2 diabetes. A factor in the development of the cardiovascular disease, LDL oxidation occurs when LDL cholesterol reacts with free radicals. The results of the study suggested that barley extract supplementation may help to fight free radicals and inhibit LDL oxidation. Possible Side Effects If you have celiac disease or a gluten sensitivity, avoid any barley grass product that isn't labeled gluten-free. Keep in mind that supplements haven't been tested for safety by the U.S. Food & Drug Administration and are largely unregulated. You can get tips on using supplements here. The high levels of certain vitamins and minerals such as potassium, vitamin K, and phosphorus may not be appropriate for people with certain conditions (such as those on dialysis) or who are taking medication (such as warfarin). Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid barley grass due to the lack of research on safety. Due to a lack of scientific research on the health effects of barley grass, little is known about the safety of consuming barley grass long term or in concentrated doses. If you're considering trying it, talk with your healthcare provider to weigh the pros and cons and discuss whether it's right for you. A Word From Verywell While drinking juices or smoothies containing barley grass may offer some nutritional benefits, barley grass should not be used as a substitute for standard treatment of any condition. If you're looking to increase your antioxidant intake, try to follow a diet rich in vibrantly colored fruits and vegetables. Certain healthy beverages, such as green tea, are also antioxidant-rich. Green Tea: Benefits, Side Effects, and Preparations Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Get nutrition tips and advice to make healthy eating easier. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Zeng Y, Pu X, Yang J, et al. Preventive and Therapeutic Role of Functional Ingredients of Barley Grass for Chronic Diseases in Human Beings. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2018;2018:3232080. doi:10.1155/2018/3232080 Sasaki, D., Sasaki, K., Kadowaki, Y. et al. Bifidogenic and butyrogenic effects of young barely leaf extract in an in vitro human colonic microbiota model. AMB Expr. 2019;9:182. doi:10.1186/s13568-019-0911-5 Wangcharoen W, Phimphilai S. Chlorophyll and total phenolic contents, antioxidant activities and consumer acceptance test of processed grass drinks. J Food Sci Technol 2016;53:4135-4140 (2016). Byun AR, Chun H, Lee J, Lee SW, Lee HS, Shim KW. Effects of a Dietary Supplement with Barley Sprout Extract on Blood Cholesterol Metabolism. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:473056. doi:10.1155/2015/473056 Yu YM, Chang WC, Chang CT, Hsieh CL, Tsai CE. Effects of young barley leaf extract and antioxidative vitamins on LDL oxidation and free radical scavenging activities in type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Metab. 2002;28(2):107-14. U.S. Food & Drug Administration. What You Need to Know about Dietary Supplements. Kalantar-zadeh K, Tortorici AR, Chen JL, et al. Dietary restrictions in dialysis patients: is there anything left to eat?. Semin Dial. 2015;28(2):159-68. doi:10.1111/sdi.12348 Additional Reading Byun AR, Chun H, Lee J, Lee SW, Lee HS, Shim KW. Effects of a Dietary Supplement with Barley Sprout Extract on Blood Cholesterol Metabolism. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2015;2015:473056. doi:10.1155/2015/473056