11 Side Effects Of Barley Water
But at the same time, barley water can harm us too. Here is a list of barley water side effects you need to go through:
1. Flatus / Intestinal Gas
Barley is a good source of dietary fiber (1). This may cause intestinal gas or flatus (2). The reason behind it is the activities of the beneficial bacteria present in our colon. So, try to limit your barley water intake to prevent gas formation.
2. Stomach
Excessive consumption of barley water may upset the stomach. Barley water can also interact with certain medications leading to stomach upset. In both cases, the stomach irritation can come with minor to major symptoms like pain, cramps, bloating, and sometimes even loose bowels or diarrhea and worsen other IBS symptoms (3).
3. Constipation
If you drink too much barley water, the chances are that you will end up developing chronic constipation. Make sure that you consult your physician in case the problem continues for more than 7 days at a time.
4. Rectal Bleeding
In severe cases of constipation, you might experience rectal bleeding with acute pain. Try to avoid consuming this natural laxative in bulk to avoid such situations.
5. Fungal Contamination
It has been reported that barley water can lead to fungal contamination from time to time. Certain contaminants found in the malt extract are Trichothecium Roseum and Ochratoxin A (4), (5). These toxins can take a toll on our bones by breaking them down.
6. Allergic Reactions
Allergic reactions to barley water are also quite common. If you already suffer from hypersensitivity or allergy in the recent past, it is time to regulate your daily consumption of barley water. Or else, you might experience a number of symptoms like rashes, inflammation, hives, irritation as well as swelling of eyes, eyelids, nose, arms, legs, and even anaphylaxis.
7. Bakers’ Asthma
The grain of barley can cause a serious respiratory allergy called ‘bakers’ asthma’ (6). People working in bakeries are prone to this condition. But you can also fall prey to it if you are exposed to lots of barley flour while preparing your barley water. So, be careful.
8. Blocked / Ruptured Esophagus
Being loaded with fiber, barley can harm your esophagus too. Whenever preparing your drink, make sure that you add enough water to the extract of the malt. Otherwise, you may face difficulty in swallowing, which can eventually block or even rupture your esophagus.
9. Celiac Disease
Celiac disease is basically wheat allergy, which is caused due to gluten intolerance (7). Barley contains a huge amount of gluten, thereby making the condition even worse.
10. Reduced Blood Sugar
Overconsumption of barley water can reduce the amount of sugar in your bloodstream (8). If it goes under the normal level, you will develop hypoglycemia. So, try to keep a close eye on your blood sugar level while drinking barley water regularly.
11. Surgical Complications
As barley water can cause a sudden fall in your blood glucose levels (9), you should always take precautions prior to undergoing surgery. It is recommended that you stop having the drink at least 10 to 14 days before going under the knife. It may help you regulate your blood sugar level so that you can keep all sorts of surgical complications at bay.
Infographic- Most Common Side Effects Of Barley Water
Barley water is a healthy drink consumed by many for its nutritious value. Being loaded with fibers, vitamins and minerals it aids in weight loss and helps prevent many diseases. But overconsumption of it can lead to many serious side effects. To identify the symptoms and most common side effects of barley water check the infographic given below. Is barley water good for kidneys? Vanessa Vitali, a holistic nutritionist, says, “Barley water is a healthy drink that can help with many ailments, including kidney stones. It’s made by brewing barley, which contains minerals like calcium and magnesium. These minerals will pass into your urine and help dissolve any stone material that may be clogging your system.” Can barely cleanse the liver? Holistic Nutritionist Vanessa Vitali says, “It is rich in many nutrients that help remove all toxins from your body by improving body metabolism and waste elimination.” Does barley reduce belly fat? According to Vanessa Vitali, a holistic nutritionist, “It is a natural diuretic that can help flush out excess fluid, making it the perfect drink if you want to lose weight.” How long can I store barley water? You can store barley water in a glass jar for up to 2 to 3 days in the fridge. Is it okay to drink barley water daily? No, overconsumption of barley water may cause gas and upset the stomach. You can consume barley water a few times a week to reap its benefits.
