Barley vs Rye grain: How Are They Different?

Barley and rye grain 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 rye grain 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.
Rye grain
Rye grain (Secale cereale) is a cereal grain that is closely related to wheat and barley.
It is a good source of dietary fibers, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, including B vitamins like niacin and folate, as well as minerals like iron, zinc, and magnesium.
The high fiber content of rye grain has been linked to improved digestion, weight management, and lower cholesterol levels. It also contains a unique type of dietary fiber called arabinoxylan, which has been shown to have a prebiotic effect on gut health.
Rye grain is commonly used in bread making and traditional dishes such as rye porridge and crisp bread. It can also be milled into flour and used in baking or cooked and eaten as a side dish.
Rye grain is an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B3 (Niacin), and Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid).
It also contains a good amount of Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin E, and Vitamin K.
Barley vs Rye grain 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 rye grain.
This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of barley and rye grain and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral content.
Barley | Rye grain | |
---|---|---|
Energy | 354 kcal | 338 kcal |
Carbs | 73.5 g | 75.9 g |
Sugar | 0.8 g | 0.98 g |
Fiber | 17.3 g | 15.1 g |
Protein | 12.5 g | 10.3 g |
Fat | 2.3 g | 1.63 g |
Saturated Fat | 0.482 g | 0.197 g |
Barley vs Rye grain Calories
Most calories in grains come from carbs.
Comparing rye grain vs barley for weight loss, rye grain is slightly lower in calories, with 338 calories per 100 grams, compared to 354 calories per 100 grams of barley.
However, both barley and rye grain 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 Rye grain Protein
Grains and most grain products, including barley and rye grain, 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.
Barley offers around 18% more protein than rye grain.
Barley has 12.5 grams of protein per 100 grams, while rye grain has 10.3 grams of protein per 100 grams.
Barley vs Rye grain 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 rye grain.
The total amount of carbohydrates is around 3% higher in rye grain than in barley. It has 75.9 grams per 100 grams, compared to 73.5 grams in barley.
There’s less sugar in barley than in rye grain, 20% precisely.
That said, 100 grams of barley contains 0.8 grams of sugar, while the same amount of rye grain contains 1 grams.
Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in barley and rye grain.
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 rye grain which barley offers 15.1 grams per 100 gram portion.
Barley vs Rye grain Fats
Like most other grains, barley and rye grain are low in fat.
Fats in barley and rye grain are mostly healthy unsaturated fats. They are naturally cholesterol-free and trans-fat-free.
Total fat in barley and rye grain:
- Barley: 2.3 grams per 100 grams
- Rye grain: 1.6 per 100 grams
Speaking of saturated fats, rye grain is 60% lower in saturated fats.
Rye grain and barley contain 0.2 grams and 0.5 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.
Barley vs Rye grain Vitamins Content
This section will discuss the vitamin content of barley and rye grain.
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 B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.
However, rye grain has a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), and vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine).
Barley and rye grain contain the same amount of vitamin C, vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).
The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins barley and rye grain contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.
Barley | Rye grain | |
---|---|---|
Vitamin A | 22 IU | 11 IU |
Vitamin C | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin D | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.646 mg | 0.316 mg |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.285 mg | 0.251 mg |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 4.6 mg | 4.27 mg |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.282 mg | 1.46 mg |
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0.318 mg | 0.294 mg |
Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 19 µg | 38 µg |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0 | 0 |
Vitamin E | 0.57 mg | 0.85 mg |
Vitamin K | 2.2 µg | 5.9 µg |
Barley vs Rye grain 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 rye grain comparison focuses on their mineral content.
Barley is a better source of manganese, phosphorus, and potassium than rye grain.
On the other hand, rye grain is a higher amount of calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, selenium, sodium, and zinc.
Barley and rye grain contain the same amount of fluoride.
Check out the table below to learn how barley and rye grain compare when it comes to mineral content.
Barley | Rye grain | |
---|---|---|
Calcium | 33 mg | 24 mg |
Copper | 0.498 mg | 0.367 mg |
Fluoride | 0 | 0 |
Iron | 3.6 mg | 2.63 mg |
Magnesium | 133 mg | 110 mg |
Manganese | 1.94 mg | 2.58 mg |
Phosphorus | 264 mg | 332 mg |
Potassium | 452 mg | 510 mg |
Selenium | 37.7 µg | 13.9 µg |
Sodium | 12 mg | 2 mg |
Zinc | 2.77 mg | 2.65 mg |
The Final Word
This article highlighted the similarities and differences between barley and rye grain.
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.
Holy Peas has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals, associations and government institutions. Read more about our process.
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Listing of vitamins, Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/listing_of_vitamins/
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https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/nutrientrecommendations.aspx
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Protein And Amino Acid Requirements In Human Nutrition, WHO
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