Barley is a major cereal grain, commonly found in bread, beverages, and various cuisines of every culture.

One of the first cultivated grains in history, it remains one of the most widely consumed grains, globally.

Barley and other whole grain foods have rapidly been gaining popularity over the past few years due to the various health benefits they can offer.

Barley is commonly found in two forms: hulled and pearled. Hulled barley has undergone minimal processing to remove only the inedible outer shell, leaving the bran and germ intact. Pearled barley has had the layer of bran removed along with the hull.

A cup of hulled barley, weighing 184 grams (g) contains:

651 calories

22.96 g of protein

4.23 g of fat

0 g of cholesterol

135 g of carbohydrate

31.8 g of dietary fiber

61 milligrams (mg) of calcium

6.62 mg of iron

1.189 mg of thiamin

0.524 mg of riboflavin

8.471 mg of niacin

0.585 mg of vitamin B6

35 micrograms (mcg) of folate

245 mg of magnesium

486 mg of phosphorus

832 mg of potassium

5.1 mg of zinc

The amount of each nutrient that an individual needs depends on their age and gender. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020 give details on each requirement.

Beta-glucans are a type of fiber that is found in barley. Studies have found that they can help reduce the risk of obesity and its complications, such as stroke, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.