Last verified: 17 days ago
Barley Grass Juice
Also known as: Hordeum vulgare grass juice, barley green juice, BGJ, dehydrated barley grass juice
Evidence under review. — Not yet rated
Green superfood powder with antioxidant properties. Human evidence is very limited.
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What it does
Barley grass juice is the pressed juice from young barley plants, often sold as a dried powder or liquid supplement. Animal research suggests it may support healthy lipid levels and provide...
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Evidence quality
Evidence base hasn't been formally rated yet. See research below.
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Clinical dose
No established dose
What the Science Says
Barley grass juice is the pressed juice from young barley plants, often sold as a dried powder or liquid supplement. Animal research suggests it may support healthy lipid levels and provide antioxidant activity, with compounds identified by chemical analysis including various phytochemicals. However, the only available study was conducted in rats on a high-fat diet — no human clinical trials from the provided research confirm these effects in people.
What It Doesn't Do
Not proven to cause weight loss in humans. No human evidence it lowers cholesterol or blood sugar. Won't fix a poor diet. Does NOT provide meaningful vitamin B12 — a study found people relying on barley grass juice as part of a vegan diet still developed B12 deficiency at high rates.
Evidence-Based Benefits
Shows antioxidant activity in lab and animal tests, though human data is lacking.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established human dose
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels in obese rats fed a high-fat diet.
Weak EvidenceEffective at: No established human dose
Supporting studies (click to view on PubMed):
Absorption & Bioavailability
Unknown — no human pharmacokinetic data available from provided studies. Nutrient content varies widely by processing method (fresh juice vs. dehydrated powder).
Red Flags to Watch For
- Vegans or vegetarians should NOT rely on barley grass juice as a B12 source — clinical data shows it fails to prevent B12 deficiency
- All anti-obesity and lipid-lowering evidence comes from rat studies only; human efficacy is unproven
- Products containing 1,000+ registered formulations vary enormously in dose and quality — no standardization exists
- May contain contaminants (heavy metals, pesticides) if sourced from low-quality suppliers — look for third-party tested products
Products Containing Barley Grass Juice
See how Barley Grass Juice is used in these analyzed products:
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Barley Grass Juice do?
Green superfood powder with antioxidant properties. Human evidence is very limited.
What is the effective dose of Barley Grass Juice?
No established dose
Is Barley Grass Juice safe?
Vegans or vegetarians should NOT rely on barley grass juice as a B12 source — clinical data shows it fails to prevent B12 deficiency
What doesn't Barley Grass Juice do?
Not proven to cause weight loss in humans.
Research Sources
- PMID: 30951844
- PMID: 11146329
- General knowledge — noted as supplementary only where no study data exists
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen. Last updated: 2026-05-25