In case you’re wondering if wheat and wheatgrass are the same thing, then you should know that they are as opposite as chalk and cheese. Wheatgrass belongs to the family of Triticum Aestivum plant, an agropyre and is loaded with nutrients.
This superfood provides you with over 100 nutrients, including all vitamins A, C, E, K and a complete range of B complex vitamins. It is also power-packed with 17 essential amino acids and is one of the best sources of chlorophyll. It is a natural blood purifier.
Wheatgrass is an incredible source of a huge array of antioxidants, including glutathione and vitamin C, that combat detrimental free radicals, prevent oxidative stress and cell damage. Besides these, imbued with chlorophyll and vitamins, wheatgrass juice is highly valuable in averting the risk of heart disease, cancer, arthritis and neurodegenerative diseases.
Consume wheatgrass juice within 20 minutes of juicing, as it retains all the vital nutrients, but keeping the juice for a longer time results in oxidation of nutrients, further leading to nutrient loss.
Benefits Of Drinking Wheatgrass Juice
Immunity Booster
Wheatgrass juice is packed with essential amino acids and enzymes that guard your body against the harmful effects of carcinogens and toxins that cause havoc in your body. The impressive nutrients in wheatgrass juice will fortify every single cell in your body. They also counterbalance pollutants and other harmful substances that can cause damage to the body.
Potent Antiseptic
Wheatgrass juice is rich in chlorophyll, which possesses strong antiseptic properties. It functions well to ward off foul smells, deactivates strep infections, and aids in faster wound healing. Furthermore, it treats issues like sinusitis, ear inflammation, ulcers in the leg, and rectal sores. The chlorophyll in wheatgrass lowers varicose veins, treats uterine cervix, cures typhoid fever, and thwarts parasitic vaginal infections.
Weight Loss
The abundance of the mineral selenium in wheatgrass improves the functioning of the thyroid gland. Adding selenium to the daily regimen is a great way to improve thyroid function, which aids in maintaining weight. The wallop of nutrients in wheatgrass juice helps you to avoid unwanted food cravings that may make you eat a lot. Drink a glass of wheatgrass juice the first thing in the morning to achieve your weight loss goal.
Boosts Fertility
A glass of wheatgrass juice can spice up your sex life as it increases sex drive and vitality. It provides you with needed energy, which boosts the blood flow to your sexual organs that improving your stamina. It also promotes the production of reproductive hormones. Improved blood flow to the genitals is the key to healthy sexual activity as well as fertility.
Improves Hair Health
Lesser-known benefits of drinking wheatgrass juice are that it can do wonders to improve hair health. It is a storehouse of antioxidants and an important component, catalase, that helps in reversing the greying of hair and slowing down the process of ageing. Furthermore, applying wheatgrass juice externally functions well to get rid of dandruff and makes hair look glossy.
Augments Heart Health
The goodness of dietary fibre and protein in wheatgrass helps to reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglyceride levels, while it also facilitates to increase in the good cholesterol (HDL) levels. Consuming wheatgrass juice regularly is a great way to optimise cardiac functions and improve heart health.
Prevents Cancer
Thanks to its impressive antioxidant profile, several studies have revealed that wheatgrass juice may help kill tumour cells and avert the risk of cancer. Enriched with essential nutrients like magnesium, zinc, copper and selenium helps in flushing out toxins from the body and lowers the risk of inflammation.
Ways to Add Wheatgrass Juice to the Diet
Wheatgrass is readily available in the form of powder, juice and supplements. You can add wheatgrass juice or powder to enrich the nutritional content of green smoothies, detox drinks, salad dressings, teas and herbal beverages.
Relieves Rheumatoid Arthritis Pain
Wheatgrass has anti-arthritic properties that may help alleviate symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis. Due to its chlorophyll content, wheatgrass helps fight severe inflammation that could be associated with joint-related pain.
Prevents Tooth Decay
Laden with natural antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, rinsing the mouth with wheatgrass can reduce the risk of tooth cavities and chronic inflammation, reduce toxins present in the gums and improve oral health.
Cleanses Liver
One of the best benefits of wheatgrass is its effects on the liver. The detoxifying properties of wheatgrass can help revitalise liver health, besides protecting it from oxidative stress and combating chronic liver anomalies.
Normalizes Lipid Levels
Wheatgrass has proven helpful in reducing elevated lipid levels in the blood. The juice of wheatgrass is used to treat atherosclerosis as well as hyperlipidemia, which is the buildup of unhealthy fats, lipids and cholesterol on the artery walls. This augments overall heart health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Wheatgrass Or Its Extracts Have Gluten?
No, wheatgrass does not contain any gluten. Unlike wheat grain, which contains gluten, wheatgrass is not a grain per se and is a green vegetable. Thus, it does not contain any gluten. This is the reason wheatgrass is considered suitable for people with gluten intolerance.
How much Wheatgrass juice can you drink per day?
It is recommended by Dr Ann Wigmore that you start drinking about 30ml of wheatgrass juice per day. After a few weeks, you can increase the level of wheatgrass juice to 60ml. Over the next few months, you can build up to 120ml of wheatgrass juice a day.
Should I Drink Wheatgrass Juice If I Am Allergic To Grass?
Grass allergies are very rare in human beings, and most of the time, they do not pose serious health issues. However, if you are allergic to grass or grass-based products, wheatgrass juice should be avoided and must only be taken after consulting a medical health practitioner.
What Is an Ideal Dose For Wheatgrass Juice?
Most often, three parts of water to one part juice is considered ideal for consuming wheatgrass juice. It is advisable to seek advice on the right dosage.
What Are The Benefits Of Drinking Wheatgrass Juice?
Wheatgrass juice is rich in chlorophyll, vitamins (A, C, E, K), minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. Its potential benefits include:
Boosting immunity
Supporting detoxification and liver health
Enhancing energy levels
Reducing inflammation
Supporting healthy skin due to antioxidant content
However, most benefits are based on traditional use and limited scientific evidence.
Is Wheatgrass Safe During Pregnancy?
Wheatgrass is generally considered safe during pregnancy, but only if it is properly cleaned and consumed in pasteurised/processed form. Fresh, raw wheatgrass (especially juice or sprouts grown at home or in juice bars) can sometimes carry bacteria, mold, or contaminants. Pregnant women should avoid raw wheatgrass juice unless assured of hygienic preparation. Always consult a doctor before starting it during pregnancy.
Is Wheatgrass Good For Acid Reflux?
Yes. Wheatgrass is considered beneficial for acid reflux because it has an alkalizing effect, helping neutralise stomach acid. Contains anti-inflammatory compounds that may soothe the esophagus and aid digestion, and reduce bloating.
However, responses vary by individual. It should not replace medical treatment for chronic GERD.
Is Wheatgrass A Rich Source Of B12?
Wheatgrass contains very small or negligible amounts of vitamin B12, not enough to meet dietary needs. It should not be relied on as a B12 source, especially for vegetarians or vegans. A proper supplement or B12-rich foods are necessary.
References
- The Medical Use of Wheatgrass: Review of the Gap Between Basic and Clinical Applications
Gil Bar-Sela 1, Miri Cohen, Eran Ben-Arye, Ron Epelbaum
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26156538/
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30059150/
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