Barley vs Durum wheat: Difference, Benefits, More

Barley and durum wheat belong to the grains food group, one of the staple food groups for people on a plant-based diet.

Grains and grain products are an affordable source of carbohydrates, as well as essential vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins (such as thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin), iron, and zinc, minerals that are usually harder to get on a plant-based diet.

They also provide a small amount of protein and healthy fats.

However, it is important to note that whole grains are generally a better source of these nutrients than refined grains.

This article will thoroughly compare barley and durum wheat and help you learn more about their similarities and differences.

Barley

Barley (Hordeum vulgare) is a cereal grain widely grown in many parts of the world and has been a staple food for thousands of years. It is closely related to wheat and oats.

Barley is a good source of carbohydrates, dietary fibers, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like magnesium, phosphorus, and B vitamins. It is also rich in antioxidants and protein, making it a valuable food for vegetarians and vegans.

Barley is commonly used in brewing beer, animal feed, and as a food grain. It can be used in soups, stews, and as a side dish, either whole or ground into flour. It is also gluten-free and easy to digest, making it a great option for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease.

Barley is considered a functional food, as it has been shown to positively impact health when consumed regularly as part of a balanced diet. It is also a sustainable crop, as it can be grown in poor soil conditions and is resistant to pests and diseases.

Barley is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin B3 (Niacin).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) and some Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin E.

Durum wheat

Durum wheat (Triticum durum) is a type of wheat that is known for its high protein and gluten content.

It is a good source of carbohydrates, protein, and small amounts of vitamins and minerals like iron, zinc, and B-vitamins. It is also rich in antioxidants and essential amino acids, making it a valuable food for vegetarians and vegans.

Durum wheat is commonly used in the production of pasta and couscous and also in traditional dishes like semolina porridge and bread. It is also used in some breakfast cereals and snacks. The high gluten content of durum wheat gives pasta and other products made from it a distinct texture and yellow color due to the presence of carotenoids in the wheat endosperm.

Durum wheat is gluten-rich. Thus, it is unsuitable for people with gluten sensitivities or celiac disease. It can be enjoyed as a balanced diet, combined with vegetables, lean protein sources, and healthy fats.

Durum wheat is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).

It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and Vitamin E.

Barley vs Durum wheat Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing barley vs durum wheat.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of barley and durum wheat and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.

Barley vs Durum wheat Calories

Most calories in grains come from carbs.

Comparing durum wheat vs barley for weight loss, durum wheat is slightly lower in calories, with 339 calories per 100 grams, compared to 354 calories per 100 grams of barley.

However, both barley and durum wheat can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight.

Barley vs Durum wheat Protein

Grains and most grain products, including barley and durum wheat, are important sources of plant-based protein.

However, it should be noted that most grains, with the exception of quinoa and buckwheat, for example, are low in lysine and methionine.

That said, you can combine grains with legumes to get a complete protein.

Durum wheat offers around 9% more protein than barley.

Durum wheat has 13.7 grams of protein per 100 grams, while barley has 12.5 grams of protein per 100 grams.

Barley vs Durum wheat Carbs

Counting carbs can be important for some people for different reasons, including blood sugar control, weight management, or athletic performance.

It’s also important for people on a keto diet, so let’s compare the carbs content in barley and durum wheat.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 3% higher in barley than in durum wheat. It has 73.5 grams per 100 grams, compared to 71.1 grams in durum wheat.

There’s less sugar in durum wheat than in barley, 100% precisely.

That said, 100 grams of durum wheat contains 0 grams of sugar, while the same amount of barley contains 0.8 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in barley and durum wheat.

Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.

With 17.3 grams of fiber per 100 grams, barley is a better source of fiber than durum wheat which barley offers 3.4 grams per 100 gram portion.

Barley vs Durum wheat Fats

Like most other grains, barley and durum wheat are low in fat.

Fats in barley and durum wheat are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.

Total fat in barley and durum wheat:

• Barley: 2.3 grams per 100 grams
• Durum wheat: 2.5 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, barley and durum wheat contain the same amount of saturated fats, 0.5 grams per 100 grams.

Barley vs Durum wheat Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of barley and durum wheat.

Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.

Barley has a higher amount of vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), and vitamin E.

However, durum wheat has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), and vitamin K.

Barley and durum wheat contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins barley and durum wheat contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Barley vs Durum wheat Minerals Content

Minerals are important for our body to function properly. We need only a small amount of minerals, so they are called micronutrients.

Some minerals, like iron, calcium, zinc, or iodine, are relatively hard to get on a plant-based diet, so it’s important to choose your foods thoughtfully. This part of the barley and durum wheat comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Barley is a better source of calcium, copper, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, selenium, and zinc than durum wheat.

On the other hand, durum wheat is a higher amount of iron, potassium, and sodium.

Barley and durum wheat contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how barley and durum wheat compare when it comes to mineral content.

The Final Word

This article highlighted the similarities and differences between barley and durum wheat.

Grains, also known as cereal grains, are an important source of nutrition for many people around the world. They are a rich source of carbohydrates, which provide energy for the body.

Whole grains contain important vitamins and minerals, such as B vitamins and iron. Whole grains, in particular, are high in dietary fiber and can help with digestion and weight management.

They may also have other health benefits, such as reducing the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer.

Grains are also a staple food and an important source of food security in many parts of the world.