What Is Wheatgrass & Benefits of Wheatgrass

31 October 2022

Wheatgrass is a plant, and like all plants, it is a fantastic addition to your diet. The tender grass is a living food with lots of health benefits.

Wheatgrass is self-explanatory; it is the young shoot that later produces wheat. The tender green is super nutritious and versatile and has become one of the trendiest superfoods in the past few years. Consuming wheatgrass is not only easy but beneficial at many levels. Here’s what you need to know about it.

What Is Wheatgrass?

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Wheatgrass is, in fact, a type of grass, the tender shoots of the Triticum aestivum plant. Unlike wheat, the plant seeds consumed as a cereal, wheatgrass is the leafy part of the plant, harvested while still bright green and tender.

Wheatgrass has gained popularity recently for its nutrients and is now considered a superfood and a healthy addition to any diet. Most people consume wheatgrass juice, but wheatgrass shots and other drinks made with wheatgrass powder are equally common.

What are the benefits of wheatgrass? Before we talk about why consuming the thin leaves is good for you, let’s get to know wheatgrass better.

The scientific community still needs to be convinced about all the health benefits of wheatgrass, but there’s no doubt consuming it is, at the very least, harmless. Of course, the nutrients in the plant are undeniable, and enthusiasts claim wheatgrass is also quite tasty.

Let’s discuss the most common ways of consuming wheatgrass and discover if the superfood is for you. Wheatgrass is healthy, not because of mystical properties, but because it is an all-natural product packed with nutrients — that’s the secret behind this trendy ingredient.

Are Wheatgrass Shots Healthy?

Many people consume the healthy plant in a daily glass of wheatgrass juice. In this case, people combine fresh wheatgrass or wheatgrass powder with other ingredients, such as orange juice, almond milk, fruit, leafy greens or veggies. This green juice is good for you, not only for the wheatgrass but for the combination of healthy ingredients. The downside is that juices must not contain excessive sugar to be more beneficial and not harmful, so consider using low-sugar ingredients or zero-calorie sweeteners.

Other people take a wheatgrass shot now and then, a concentrated form of the plant that can contain up to five grams of wheatgrass powder. Although there’s little harm in consuming wheatgrass shots, one should consume them in moderation since even healthy foods can cause discomfort or side effects if abused. People have reported nausea, constipation and an upset stomach for consuming more wheatgrass than their body needs.

Wheatgrass is packed with antioxidants, which can clean your system from free radicals that cause oxidative stress and inflammation. Too many antioxidants, though, can also wash away nutrients from your system, such as the iron in your blood.

Is wheatgrass healthy? It is, but don’t overdo it. Add the healthy plant to a balanced diet and enjoy an active lifestyle!

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Benefits of Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is an authentic superfood with countless health benefits. Below, you’ll find those backed by the scientific community.

Wheatgrass has many nutrients. Wheatgrass contains iron, calcium, magnesium, vitamins and other healthy compounds, such as enzymes, chlorophyll and all the amino acids your body needs to create tissue.

Wheatgrass is detox. Components in wheatgrass, including antioxidants and chlorophyll, can eliminate toxic substances in your system.

Wheatgrass has fiber. Fiber is one of the main benefits of wheatgrass, as it can aid digestion, prevent constipation and digestive discomfort, and promote healthy gut bacteria.

Wheatgrass can lower cholesterol. Consuming wheatgrass juice or a wheatgrass shot daily can lower cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.

Wheatgrass boosts your metabolism. Wheatgrass contains nutrients but little to no calories, promoting burning calories and losing weight. Thanks to the fiber in the grass, you will also feel fuller faster and not overeat.

Wheatgrass can boost your immune system. Wheat grass’s nutrients strengthen your immune system, protecting you from illness.

Wheatgrass might improve cognitive functions. It seems consuming wheatgrass, and other foods high in antioxidants can reduce the risk of mental conditions such as Alzheimer’s. More research is needed on the topic.

Side Effects of Wheatgrass

Consuming too much juice with high concentrations of wheatgrass powder can cause headaches, stomachache, constipation, nausea and fever in rare cases, mainly for the many bioactive substances in the grass and its elevated levels of antioxidants.

Although consuming wheatgrass is overall harmless, one must ensure the grass contains no fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides. Consuming organic wheatgrass is the only way to ensure one doesn’t consume dangerous chemicals.

Abusing any substance, even nutrient-rich and organic, can lead to unexpected results. Talk to your healthcare provider if you feel consuming wheatgrass is causing discomfort. And if you are consuming wheatgrass, ensure you make it part of a healthy, balanced diet and have an active lifestyle.

Wheatgrass FAQs

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These are the most frequent questions about wheatgrass. Although the superfood is trending, there’s still a lot we don’t know about it, and the more you know about what you consume, the more you will be able to make the most of it.

When Should I Drink Wheatgrass Juice?

Drinking a glass of diluted wheatgrass powder and water daily is a good practice but adding wheatgrass to a smoothie with other healthy ingredients is an even better alternative. Find the correct dose and the best time to consume wheatgrass for you.

How Much Wheatgrass Juice Should I Drink Per Day?

A teaspoon of wheatgrass powder every day seems to be an average dose, whether you consume it as a shot or in juice. Those are between three and five grams of concentrated wheatgrass. Drinking plenty of water during the day will reduce the risk of experiencing side effects, and so is eating healthily.

How To Make Wheatgrass Juice?

Chop half a cup of fresh wheatgrass and blend it with 2 cups of water or juice for an all-natural wheatgrass juice. Add 1-2 teaspoons of wheatgrass powder for a readily available version. Combine fresh wheatgrass or wheatgrass powder with other ingredients for a super-nutritious smoothie.