In the national dishes of many countries there are various types of cereals from cereals. All of them have a huge number of useful properties that positively affect the human body. In the past few years, barley and wheat groats have been popular, the differences of which will be discussed in this article.

Definition of barley and wheat groats

Barley groats are unpolished parts of the barley kernel. Crushed grains have different shapes and sizes, and they are exempt from the floral film. Given that this product does not go through the polishing stage, it contains a huge amount of fiber, useful for the human body. Depending on the size of the grains, barley groats are divided into several numbers: No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3. In stores, a mixture of all kinds is sold.

Did you know? In Jordan, archaeologists have found barley grain, whose age is more than 11 thousand years.

Wheat groats are crushed wheat grains. Its consistency is uniform, therefore all grains are prepared at the same time. There are several types of this product:

• arnautka. It is made from durum wheat, characterized by a glassy grain;
• bulgur. Each element is cleaned of bran and steam treatment is carried out;
• artek. Consists of crushed grains that have been previously polished;
• cereals. Cereals processed by steam and press.

The main differences

Barley and wheat groats are made from different raw materials and have a certain difference between themselves. If you want to understand which product to choose, then first examine its appearance.

Also, cereals also differ in chemical composition and calorie content. Despite this, they are both actively used in cooking, traditional medicine and cosmetology. More details about the main difference will be described below.

Appearance of cereals

You can distinguish both products in appearance. Wheat groats have a rich yellow or brownish-gray hue. It all depends on the degree of processing. The barley variety is characterized by a grayish-white color. Even with prolonged cooking, it does not change.

Chemical composition and calorie content

Many nutritionists recommend eating barley, because it contains a balanced amount of vitamins and minerals.

The composition includes:

• complex carbohydrates (starch, sugar and fiber). These components are quickly absorbed by the body, due to which they provide fast saturation;
• unsaturated fatty acids lower blood cholesterol and nourish cells;
• vegetable protein involved in supporting the health of the body;
• vitamins (A, E, K, B) and minerals (calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, manganese, iron) in the shell.

Did you know? The Egyptians were very fond of drinking beer brewed from barley. Therefore, in the tombs, during excavations, vessels with this drink were discovered.

Calorie content depends on the method of preparation. Dry cereal contains 320 kcal, porridge on water - 80 kcal, and milk - 120 kcal. The nutritional value of the barley product, per 100 g: proteins (10.5 g), fats (1.4 g) and carbohydrates (65.3 g). Also contains dietary fiber, the amount of which is about 8 g.

The chemical composition of wheat groats is rich in vitamins (A, E, B, C and F). It also contains minerals (potassium, zinc, molybdenum, phosphorus and calcium).

Nutrition value per 100 g:

• calories - 330 kcal;
• proteins - 12 g;
• fats - 1.4 g;
• carbohydrates - 69 g.

What is more useful

It is possible to determine what is more useful: barley or wheat grits after studying the detailed effect of each type of product on the human body. You should choose the option that will benefit specifically for the treatment of your health problem.

• Useful properties of barley groats are as follows:
• strengthens blood vessels;
• normalizes the digestive tract. Due to the fiber in the composition, the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract improves, the walls of the stomach are cleaned and toxins are eliminated;
• helps to lower blood pressure;
• lowers blood sugar;
• normalizes the endocrine system and urethra;
• reduces the likelihood of depression and raises the tone of the body.

• Useful properties of wheat groats:
• saturates the body with energy, therefore, a person's working capacity increases;
• protects against visceral obesity;
• normalizes blood pressure;
• reduces chronic inflammation;
• prevents the appearance of stones in the gallbladder;
• accelerates metabolism;
• participates in liver detoxification;
• heals hair and skin;
• reduces the risk of cataracts;
• helps prevent the development of oncology.

Based on all of the above, it is difficult to understand which cereal is more beneficial for the body. You must make your choice based on the characteristics of the body and existing health problems.

Cooking methods

There are several ways to cook porridge that will be relevant for both barley and wheat grits. The cooking process on the water:

1. Rinse 2 cups of cereal under running water.
2. Warm in a pan for 5 minutes. Stir constantly to prevent grains from burning.
3. Bring 5 glasses of water to a boil.
4. Add salt, and after 2-3 minutes - grits.
5. After 15 minutes, pour 3 tbsp. l vegetable oil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer another 20 minutes.
7. Remove from the stove and wrap the pan with a towel.
8. Let the porridge brew for 20 minutes and serve.

Did you know? Barley grains were used in ancient times as a standard of mass and length. 5 grains correspond to one carat (0.2232 g), and 3 pieces are equal to an inch (2.45 cm).

The process of making delicious porridge in milk:

1. Rinse 2 cups of crushed product and fill it with water. Leave it for 12 hours to insist.
2. Drain and add new (no more than 4 glasses).
3. Put on fire and boil for 5 minutes.
4. Add salt, spices and hot milk (2 cups).
5. Boil for 5 minutes.
6. Add dried fruits, nuts and honey as desired.

To cook porridge in a slow cooker, follow the step by step instructions:

1. Rinse the cereal under running water (1 cup).
2. Pour it into the multicooker bowl and pour 2 cups of water.
3. Add spices and salt to taste.
4. Turn on the equipment, setting the mode "Porridge".
5. After cooking, add vegetable or butter, depending on preference.

Medical use

Barley groats are not a medicine. This dietary product has a positive effect on the body only in combination with other food and medicine. Barley grits positively affects patients with diabetes. With it, you can reduce blood sugar and improve the functioning of the metabolic glands. It cleanses the blood of harmful impurities that enter the body along with food and drinks. A wheat product is recommended to be consumed every day by patients with diabetes mellitus, since it contains a huge amount of fiber.

Thanks to this component, the intestines work and the conversion of sugar to fats is prevented. Also, cereals contain pectins. These substances are necessary for the body to neutralize harmful substances in the intestines and reduce the processes of decay in the digestive tract. In addition, pectins contribute to the healing of wounds on the mucous membrane.

Important! You can not eat wheat groats for those who have an acute form of pancreatitis. First you need to undergo medical treatment, and administer the product only a month after its completion.

With pancreatitis, eating barley porridge is not recommended. This is due to the fact that it quickly satisfies hunger, and patients with this disease are sensitive to overfilling of the stomach. Wheat groats must be present in the diet of patients with chronic inflammation of the pancreas. Dishes from the product should not be eaten every day, but 1-2 times a week. This will prevent the exacerbation of the disease.

Very often barley groats are used to treat gastritis. It helps relieve symptoms in various forms of the disease:

• acute chronic;
• with increased acidity of the stomach;
• with concomitant liver diseases.

With gastritis, porridge should be cooked exclusively on water. If possible, combine it with meat and vegetable broths to quickly restore the body. If you have an aggravated form of gastritis, then eating wheat groats is prohibited. It should be introduced into the diet, being in remission. Thanks to this product, skin rashes that occur during the acute phase of the disease can be cured.

Important! It is allowed to use porridge only on water, without the use of dairy products, especially butter. It is better to replace it with a vegetable (olive or sunflower), so that the food does not linger in the digestive tract.

Barley porridge is often used to treat constipation.. Due to the presence of fiber in the composition, the intestinal microflora improves, toxins and toxins are excreted. Wheat groats can be eaten by people suffering from constipation. It helps food pass smoothly through the digestive tract. It can also be used as a prophylactic.

The liver, which is considered a body cleaner from harmful substances, must be given rest from fatty foods and alcoholic beverages. Therefore, fasting days with barley or wheat porridge will help cleanse the body, thanks to complex carbohydrates and amino acids in the composition. Also you can eat foods during an exacerbation of cholecystitis. Previously, they need to be boiled in water and grind into gruel. You can eat in the morning and evening in small quantities.

Use in cosmetology

Often cereals are used in cosmetology and are part of many products. For example, a scrub mask can be made from a wheat product, which cleans the pores of dirt and also removes dead skin cells. To prepare a cosmetic product, mix crushed wheat (2 tsp) and half the pulp of an orange. Apply the mask on the face with massaging movements and leave for 7 minutes. Rinse with warm water. Also, wheat grits are often used to prepare masks for dry and aging skin.

The cooking process is as follows:

1. Prepare a cool infusion of Kombucha, insisting it for about 30 days.
2. Heat it to a temperature of + 70 ° C.
3. Add wheat bran (2 tbsp.) And honey (2 tsp.).
4. Mix well.
5. Apply the mask to the face and leave for 20 minutes.
6. Wash with warm water.
7. Apply your regular skin moisturizer.

From wheat grits you can make a mask for oily skin. To do this, follow the instructions:

1. Mix bran with tomato juice (1: 1 ratio).
2. Add 1 teaspoon of yarrow.
3. Pour 1 teaspoon of white or blue clay.
4. Mix all the ingredients thoroughly.
5. Apply the mask to the face and leave for 20 minutes.
6. Wash with cool water and apply the usual moisturizer.

Barley groats are used for the production of matting powder. It is believed that thanks to this component, oily skin is reduced, which positively affects the resistance of makeup.

Important! It should be noted that this ingredient does not clog pores, so it does not provoke the appearance of rashes.

Contraindications and possible harm

Cereal porridge does not have a huge number of contraindications. If cooked properly, it will not cause harm.

• Depending on the individual characteristics of the body, it is not recommended to use the product:
• people with intolerance to certain components;
• those who have inflammatory processes of the gastrointestinal tract that interfere with normal digestion;
• during pregnancy. There is a risk of premature birth;
• with gluten intolerance.

Wheat groats should not be consumed by people suffering from celiac disease. This is a disease associated with a person’s inability to absorb gluten. This is fraught with irritation of the intestinal mucosa, which leads to a violation of its functionality.

• In addition, contraindications include:
• individual intolerance to components;
• pregnancy and lactation;
• decreased acidity of the stomach.

It is not recommended to eat wheat porridge in large quantities for men. It is believed that it increases potency, but subject to moderation. If you exceed the daily norm (more than 80 g), then the effect may be the opposite.

• Side effects of eating cereal cereal are as follows:
• The formation of kidney stones.
• Gout.
• Urticaria and eczema.
• Decreased ability to assimilate iron and zinc.

So, having prepared porridge from cereals, you will not only fill your body with useful substances, but also satisfy your hunger. This dish can be used for many diseases, but try to use high-quality ingredients and keep the right proportions.