The health world is full of nutrition bars, pills, drinks, and more, and wheatgrass is a new addition as the dietary supplement. Actually, it is not new, but earlier only a bunch of people were aware of wheatgrass benefits, and now it is getting the well-deserved limelight.
As the name suggests, wheatgrass belongs to the wheat family. It is prepared using nutritionally-dense sprouted leaves of a wheat plant named as Triticum aestivum. It can be purchased in both powder and juice form. Naturally rich in Vitamin A, C, and E, with other minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium, there are infinite health benefits of wheatgrass.
Wheatgrass Benefits
1. Might Help in Lowering Cholesterol
Cholesterol can hinder the blood flow in our body, leading to heart problems. Various studies have found that wheatgrass juice benefits in lowering total cholesterol level including LDL cholesterol and triglycerides and increase HDL cholesterol which is considered as good cholesterol.
2. Can Fight Against Infections
The antimicrobial properties of wheatgrass are help limit the growth of certain infections, especially antibiotic-resistant infections. It can be used by people with antibiotic allergies.
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3. Facilitate in Weight-Loss
Wheatgrass powder benefits in the weight-loss regime by stimulating the thyroid gland and boosting metabolism. Wheatgrass contains thylakoids that make you feel full for long promoting weight loss.
4. Nutritionally Dense
Packed with powerful nutrition, wheatgrass can have a really good effect on our overall health. It is a powerhouse of vitamin A, C, and E, calcium, iron, and magnesium. Other than this, it contains 18 amino acids, out of which eight are essential for the body. Wait, we are not done here! Wheatgrass is also a good source of antioxidants that are a must for prevention from several health conditions.
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5. Can Lower Your Blood Pressure
Again, it is a miracle of chlorophyll that acts similar to hemoglobin and improve your blood cell count. Consumption of wheatgrass can purify your blood and improve blood circulation that helps in controlling high blood pressure.
6. Can Remove Toxins
Thanks to wheatgrass nutrition that aids in removing toxins and impurities from our body. Such as, chlorophyll content in wheatgrass makes our liver healthy through detoxification.
7. Support Digestion
Enzymes in wheatgrass break down food and make absorption of nutrients easy that ultimately leads to better digestion. Further, its alkaline content provides relief from various stomach problems including acidity, ulcer, and constipation.
8. Boost Your Immune System
A strong immune system is necessary to fight against health hazards and infections. Wheatgrass benefits in improving the count of red blood cells, which could result in better immunity power. Even if you have got infected from some disease or virus then better immunity can speed up the recovery.
9. Can Reduce the Growth of Cancer Cells
The antioxidant properties of wheatgrass are known to deal well with cancer cells. Various studies have been conducted to prove this. In one of the studies, it was found that wheatgrass has reduced the growth of mouth cancer cells; in another study, it limits the growth of the leukemia cell. It has even decreased the risk of impaired bone marrow in breast cancer patients. However, more studies need to be conducted to claim this point.
10. May Aid in Controlling Diabetes
Regular intake of wheatgrass juice or powder for at least 30 days can result in reducing blood sugar levels. A study was conducted on rats, which shows that wheatgrass can improve insulin levels and reduce blood glucose. It can prevent you from diabetes as well as can be used for its treatment.
Wheatgrass Nutrition
Any dietary supplement is considered to be healthy because of its nutrition, same is the case with wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is a natural source of various essential vitamins and minerals. Wheatgrass nutritional value is enough to prove how beneficial it can be.
As per USDA, Wheatgrass nutritional value of 1 tablespoon (8 grams) contains:
| Calories | 25 |
| Carbs | 6 grams of wheatgrass contain carbohydrates, which is 2% of an adult’s daily requirement. Its carb content has 4 grams of fiber with no sugar, making it low in glycemic index. |
| Fats | The good news is there is no fat in wheatgrass. |
| Protein | Wheatgrass is not considered as a protein source as it contains only 1 gram of protein. |
| Fiber | 4 grams of fiber which is equivalent to 14% of the daily value. |
| Vitamins | Contain vitamin A, C, and K together with B vitamins and beta- carotene. Vitamin K 86 micrograms, which is equal to 70% of the daily value. |
| Minerals | Contain minerals like iron (1mg), calcium (24mg), magnesium, zinc, phosphorus, and copper. |
| Sodium | 0 micrograms. |
What Are Some Wheatgrass Side Effects?
There is no doubt in it that wheatgrass can add interest to your diet. But any dietary supplement is good when it is taken in moderate quantity. However, no significant adverse wheatgrass side effects have been reported for consuming powder or juice, but in some cases, it may trigger problems like nausea, headache, diarrhea, and swelling in the throat. If you notice any of such symptoms then you must reduce the quantity of intake. In case, the problem persists, then consult your doctor before consuming it.
Although one of the major wheatgrass benefits is that it is gluten-free, but it can get cross-contaminated with other gluten-containing crops. Thus, those having celiac diseases or gluten sensitivity must buy a product that is certified as gluten-free.
If you notice a bitter taste or any other sign of spoilage, then you must ditch the product as consuming it can be harmful. Moreover, sometimes the product gets contaminated because of substances like metal, in that case also one can experience wheatgrass side effects.
There is not much known about the safety of wheatgrass for children, pregnant and nursing women, and those having a specific medical condition. In such cases, please consult your physician before consuming it.
To prevent yourself from wheatgrass juice side effects, it is suggested that you always start with a small dose of it, and gradually increase the intake to reach the recommended dose. This way you will understand if the product suits you or not, and your body will also be able to digest it.
Final Words
Wheatgrass is a natural supplement with numerous health benefits. However, there is no scientific study backing these wheatgrass benefits. But wheatgrass nutritional value surely gives you the reason to include it into your daily diet. You can add wheatgrass powder in your smoothies or milkshakes, or buy wheatgrass juice from a reliable source to get most of it. Consuming it as a part of a well-balanced diet in limited quality can provide several health benefits, and fulfill your daily nutritional requirement.
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