The Differences Between Wheat Grass and Barley Grass

Wheat grass and barley grass have much in common. In fact, they are often considered sister plants.

Both belong to the grass family, Poaceae. They have hollow stems, flat leaves, and produce multiple seeds from complex flower heads. While they are grown as cereal crops for their grains, both have also become popular as health foods in their young grass form.

Wheat grass and barley grass provide a wide variety of vitamins and nutrients, help reduce inflammation, and support healthy body alkalinity.

Because they appear so similar, it is reasonable to wonder whether they can be used interchangeably. While the differences are subtle, they do exist.

Taste

The most noticeable difference is taste. Wheat grass has a sweeter flavor, while barley grass tends to be more bitter. This is largely a matter of personal preference.

For those who do not enjoy wheat grass, barley grass offers similar benefits with a different flavor profile. In either case, both are forms of grass juice.

Beta Sitosterol

Barley grass contains beta sitosterol, a plant compound with a structure similar to cholesterol found in the human body.

During digestion, beta sitosterol can replace some cholesterol, which may help lower total and LDL cholesterol. It does not raise HDL cholesterol.

Research has also shown that beta sitosterol may help relieve urinary symptoms related to an enlarged prostate, although it does not reduce prostate size.

Growing Conditions

Wheat grass is most often grown indoors using hydroponic methods, while barley grass is usually grown outdoors in soil.

Indoor growing can save water and reduce labor, but these advantages primarily benefit the grower. Outdoor growing allows plants to absorb nutrients directly from the soil, which contributes to their nutritional makeup.

Hydroponic crops can grow quickly, but faster growth does not necessarily mean higher nutritional value. Some studies have shown that hydroponically grown plants may contain fewer carotenoids compared to soil grown plants.

Plants grown outdoors are exposed to natural stressors such as sunlight, weather, and wind. These stressors stimulate the production of antioxidants, which are concentrated in the leaves.

When consumed, these antioxidants provide benefits to the body. Plants grown indoors experience less environmental stress and may produce fewer protective compounds as a result.

P.S. Barley grass grown outdoors offers a unique nutritional profile that many people prefer when choosing a green superfood.

To learn more about barley grass nutrition, Click Here.