Article # 85. Health Benefits of Wheatgrass

Health Benefits of Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass also termed as green gold is available fresh and in various forms like tablet, frozen juice and powder. Wheatgrass is the young grass of the common wheat plant. Wheatgrass is a blood purifier, cleanser and detoxifier. The chlorophyll in it helps to transport oxygen to all cells in the human body. This enables the body to fight against diseases and harmful bacteria. Wheatgrass is also a natural pH balancer neutralizing acidity in the body.

Wheatgrass is packed with amino acids, chlorophyll, enzymes, minerals and vitamins. It also contains vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E and minerals like iron, selenium, calcium and magnesium. Fresh wheatgrass cannot be used in salads or other food items as it is difficult to digest the grass. People who wish to eat it can chew the grass thoroughly until the juice is fully extracted and spit away the remains. People allergic to gluten in wheat can also consume wheatgrass as wheatgrass does not contain gluten.

Wheatgrass benefits

• Wheatgrass has high levels of oxygen just like all chlorophyll filled green plants. The brain and body tissue functioning is at the optimum when there are rich oxygen levels in the body.
• Wheatgrass is a general health rejuvenator and also energizes the body.
• Wheatgrass has wonderful antioxidant properties.
• It slows down aging process.
• Wheatgrass helps in weight management. When used in right amount with diet plans it helps in both gaining and losing weight.
• Wheatgrass is easy to digest.
• Wheatgrass helps in fighting conditions like arthritis, cancer, hypertension, menstrual problems, asthma etc.
• Wheatgrass helps in relieving digestive problems, constipation, acidity and piles.
• Wheatgrass acts as a diet supplement and helps overcome nutritional deficiencies.
• Wheatgrass improves skin tone and muscle tone and is also a solution to various skin disorders.
• Wheatgrass prevents dark circles around the eyes and also improves vision.
• Chlorophyll neutralizes toxins in the body and improves the immunity of the body.
• Chlorophyll in wheatgrass has anti-bacterial properties that discourages the growth of unwanted bacteria.
• Chlorophyll in wheatgrass can detoxify the bloodstream and is considered a better detoxification agent when compared to other fruits and vegetables.
• Chlorophyll in wheatgrass can wash out drug deposits from the body.
• The chlorophyll in wheatgrass helps in regulating the blood sugar levels in the body.

Grow wheatgrass at home

• Soak wheat in a jar of water for 12 hours
• Drain out the water
• Leave the moist seeds as is for another 12 hours
• Spread one inch of soil in a tray
• Spread the seeds
• Sprinkle water
• Cover it with a tray and leave for three days.
• Uncover the tray
• Water as required
• Put it under direct sunlight for five to seven days
• You can see wheatgrass of five and eight inches height
• Wheatgrass is ready for harvest

Wheatgrass juice

Wheatgrass juice contains around 70% chlorophyll which is considered to be the blood of the plant as chlorophyll brings oxygen to our cells/tissues/organs. A dark green liquid extracted by squeezing the grass of the common wheat plant is called wheatgrass juice. Wheatgrass juice is brimming with active enzymes, chlorophyll, vitamins and other essential nutrients. Wheatgrass is specially grown to extract juice; it is harvested at a time when its nutritional capacity is at its peak.

Wheatgrass juice or barley grass juice is like a complete food in that not only is there a massive range of nutrients from antioxidants A, C, E and K but also contains the B vitamin complex and a massive spectrum of minerals from: magnesium, potassium, phosphorus, calcium and iron but many others too. Guess what, wheatgrass juice also contains amino acids which are the building blocks of proteins of which the body uses to make proteins so its easier on digestion to drink wheatgrass or barley grass juice than eat lots of meat as the body has to use energy and nutrients to break down the meat into the basic building blocks/amino acids.

Wheatgrass should be consumed immediately after extracting it or it should be properly frozen and stored. Wheatgrass contains 92 minerals that the body requires and is a rich source of protein too. Consuming two to four ounces of wheatgrass juice per day is recommended as it will not cause nausea or stomach problems. This juice is very effective when consumed on empty stomach.

Benefits of wheatgrass juice

• Purifies the blood
• Improve the immunity and immune system of the body
• Improves hemoglobin content in blood
• Nullifies the effect of carcinogens and toxins in the blood
• Improves mental alertness
• Reduces inflammation of any body part
• Regulates blood sugar
• Cures liver problems
• Prevents tooth decay
• Delays graying of hair
• Washes away heavy metal deposits from the blood
• Controls hypertension
• Controls growth of unwanted bacteria
• Improves vision
• Wheatgrass juice is a wonderful skin cleanser; it can easily be absorbed through the skin. Pour green juice over your body and soak yourself in a tub of warm water for 15 to 20 minutes. Rinse off with cold water.
• Wheatgrass juice prevents constipation

Wheatgrass powder

Fresh wheatgrass is dehydrated to extract the powder. Wheatgrass powder is easier to consume than fresh wheatgrass juice. Wheatgrass powder when mixed with water becomes a nutritional drink. One to two teaspoons (one tsp powder = 3gms of powder) of wheatgrass powder is recommended for daily intake. Wheatgrass powder is effective for treatment of obesity, acidity, anemia, diabetes, cancer, heart disease, piles etc.

Advantages of wheatgrass powder

• All the important nutrients of wheatgrass are retained by the powder.
• Wheatgrass powder has more fiber when compared to the juice.
• Powder is convenient to carry and enjoys good shelf life.
• Powder is more palatable when compared to juice.
• One teaspoon of wheatgrass powder costs less than 40grams of fresh wheatgrass (1 g wheatgrass powder = 40 g fresh wheatgrass)
• Wheatgrass powder can be mixed with milk and applied on the skin as a pack.
• The powder when mixed with water and consumed is easier to digest than wheatgrass tablets.
• Wheatgrass powder retains the original chlorophyll content of fresh wheatgrass.