What Happens If I Drink Barley Tea Every Day?

November 13, 2025 •

4 min read

In many East Asian countries, barley tea is consumed daily as a refreshing, caffeine-free beverage. What happens if I drink barley tea every day, and is this practice as beneficial as often claimed for health and wellness?

Quick Summary

Consuming barley tea daily provides hydration, antioxidants, and a relaxing, caffeine-free option. It may support digestion, heart health, and sleep. Watch for digestive upset or interactions with medication, and avoid if you have a gluten intolerance.

Key Points

Antioxidant Boost: Daily barley tea provides antioxidants like quercetin and chlorogenic acid, which fight free radical damage and inflammation.
Caffeine-Free Hydration: As a caffeine-free beverage, it's a great daily alternative to coffee or tea, supporting hydration without stimulants.
Digestive Comfort: It may offer mild digestive benefits, acting as a natural antacid and potentially soothing symptoms of heartburn.
Weight Management Aid: By replacing sugary drinks with low-calorie barley tea, you can support your weight loss goals through reduced calorie intake.
Gluten and Acrylamide Risks: It contains gluten, making it unsuitable for those with celiac disease, and the roasting process can create traces of acrylamide.
Distinction from Whole Barley: The steep-brewed tea lacks the high fiber content of whole barley, so benefits like increased satiety and significant blood sugar control are minimal.
Potential Sleep Aid: Compounds like melatonin and tryptophan may contribute to relaxation and improve sleep quality when consumed before bed.

Barley tea, known as mugicha in Japan and boricha in Korea, is a popular East Asian drink made from roasted barley. It can be served both hot and cold, offering a toasted, nutty flavor. While many tout its health benefits, understanding the specifics of daily consumption is crucial. The health effects largely depend on whether you're drinking the steeped tea or consuming whole barley, as the tea contains antioxidants and minimal calories, while the grain is rich in fiber.

The Everyday Benefits of Drinking Barley Tea

For those who integrate it into their daily routine, unsweetened barley tea offers several advantages, mainly stemming from its hydrating and antioxidant properties.

Rich in Antioxidants

Barley tea is packed with antioxidants like chlorogenic and vanillic acids. These compounds help combat oxidative stress by neutralizing harmful free radicals that cause cell damage and inflammation. Regular intake can support overall cellular health and may contribute to anti-inflammatory effects.

A Hydrating, Caffeine-Free Choice

For individuals looking to reduce their caffeine intake, barley tea is an excellent substitute for coffee or black tea. It provides effective hydration throughout the day without the stimulating effects of caffeine. Its soothing properties, attributed to compounds like melatonin and tryptophan, can also promote better relaxation and sleep quality, making it a perfect evening beverage.

Potential Digestive Support

Anecdotal evidence suggests that barley tea can act as a natural antacid and may help soothe the digestive system from issues like heartburn and acid reflux. While the tea itself contains little fiber, it's believed to aid with digestion and alleviate bloating. However, it's important not to confuse this with the high fiber content of eating whole barley, which significantly affects digestive regularity.

Oral Health Benefits

Studies have shown that compounds formed during the roasting process have anti-adhesive properties, which can help prevent bacteria from sticking to teeth. This may help protect against plaque build-up and decay, though it is not a substitute for regular dental hygiene.

Potential Risks and Considerations of Daily Consumption

While largely safe, daily consumption of barley tea has a few important considerations.

Acrylamide Content

Roasted barley contains trace amounts of acrylamide, a compound that is potentially carcinogenic. The level of acrylamide is higher in lightly roasted barley and tea bags. To minimize this risk, some recommend roasting the barley to a deep, dark brown color before steeping. Studies on the link between dietary acrylamide and cancer risk are mixed, but it is a factor to be aware of.

Not for Gluten-Intolerant Individuals

As barley is a gluten-containing grain, barley tea is not suitable for individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity and should be avoided. While the risk of a reaction from the steeped tea is lower than from consuming whole barley, cross-contamination or trace amounts of gluten could still pose a risk.

Digestive Discomfort

Drinking large amounts of barley tea, especially unstrained barley water, can lead to digestive issues like gas, bloating, and diarrhea, particularly for those not used to a high-fiber intake. This is more of a concern with barley water, which includes the grain, but moderation is always key.

Potential for Weight Gain from Additives

While the tea itself is low in calories, adding sugar, honey, or milk can significantly increase its caloric content. Those drinking it daily for weight management should opt for the unsweetened, plain version to avoid unnecessary calorie intake.

Blood Sugar Management Interaction

Since consuming whole barley can affect blood sugar levels, individuals on medication for diabetes should consult their doctor before adding it to their daily routine. While the tea has a less pronounced effect than whole barley, it's wise to be cautious.

Barley Tea vs. Whole Barley: A Comparison


Feature	Barley Tea (Steeped Roasted Grains)	Whole Barley (Cooked Grains)
Preparation	Steeping roasted grains or a tea bag in hot or cold water.	Boiling whole grains in water until soft and cooked.
Nutrient Profile	Rich in antioxidants, trace minerals; generally calorie-free.	High in fiber (soluble & insoluble), vitamins, minerals, and calories.
Fiber Content	Virtually no dietary fiber.	Excellent source of both soluble and insoluble fiber.
Digestive Impact	Mildly soothing; minimal fiber-based digestive effects.	Promotes regular bowel movements and can feed gut bacteria.
Satiety Effect	Minimal, as it lacks fiber.	High, due to significant fiber content.

Tips for Daily Barley Tea Consumption

Choose high-quality ingredients: Use fresh, high-quality roasted barley grains or tea bags for the best flavor and a lower acrylamide risk.
Drink it unsweetened: Maximize health benefits by avoiding added sugars or sweeteners, especially if managing weight.
Stay hydrated: Enjoy it chilled in summer for a refreshing alternative to water, or hot in cooler months as a soothing beverage.
Pair with meals: Traditionally, barley tea is consumed with meals, which can aid with digestion.
Balance is key: While safe for daily consumption, ensure it complements a varied diet that provides all necessary nutrients.

Conclusion

Drinking barley tea every day is a safe and healthy practice for most individuals, offering excellent hydration and a boost of antioxidants. It serves as a fantastic caffeine-free alternative and may contribute to better oral health and relaxation. However, it is not a miracle cure for serious illnesses and should not be confused with the high-fiber benefits of consuming whole barley. The primary risks are minimal, mainly concerning those with gluten intolerance or individuals on certain medications. By drinking it in moderation and unsweetened, you can enjoy this traditional beverage as a flavorful and health-conscious addition to your daily routine. For more information, consider consulting a healthcare professional or reliable health resource.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, drinking barley tea every day is generally safe for most healthy individuals. However, people with gluten sensitivity, celiac disease, or those on blood sugar medication should exercise caution and consult a healthcare provider.

Barley tea itself does not directly cause weight loss, as it contains minimal fiber. Its benefit comes from being a low-calorie, hydrating alternative to sugary beverages, which helps reduce overall calorie intake and supports weight management.

Yes, barley tea is naturally caffeine-free because it is made from roasted barley grains and contains no actual tea leaves. This makes it a great choice for all ages and for those sensitive to caffeine.

Potential side effects include digestive discomfort like gas or bloating, especially with excessive intake of unstrained barley water. The presence of gluten and trace amounts of acrylamide are also considerations.

As a caffeine-free beverage containing compounds like melatonin and tryptophan, barley tea may help promote relaxation and contribute to better sleep quality, making it a good nighttime drink.

While it contains minimal fiber, barley tea may act as a mild antacid and help soothe digestive discomfort, potentially aiding with heartburn or acid reflux. The digestive benefits of fiber primarily come from eating whole barley grains.

Barley tea is generally considered safe during pregnancy, primarily for hydration, as it is caffeine-free. However, excessive consumption, especially of barley sprouts, should be avoided, and it is always best to consult a doctor.

Barley tea is made by steeping roasted barley, and while it contains antioxidants, it has virtually no fiber. Barley water is made by boiling raw barley, and if unstrained, it retains significant fiber and nutrients from the grains.