Wheatgrass is the newest supplement to gain popularity in the field of natural health, popping up everywhere from juice bars to health food stores.
The ordinary wheat plant, Triticum aestivum, produces wheatgrass from its recently sprouted leaves.
You may either grow it yourself and make it at home, or you can buy it as a juice, powder, or supplement.
Some claim it can improve immune function and perform everything from liver detoxification. Many of its alleged advantages, nevertheless, are still unproven or understudied.
This article focuses on seven benefits of consuming wheatgrass that have been scientifically proven.
1. Rich in antioxidants and nutrients
A great source of numerous vitamins and minerals is wheatgrass Juice Powder. Iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamins A, C, and E, as well as amino acids, are particularly abundant in it.
Of its 17 amino acids, eight are regarded as essential, which means that you must get them from food sources because your body cannot create them.
Wheatgrass, like all green plants, contains chlorophyll, a type of green plant pigment linked to a number of health advantages.
Additionally, it contains a number of significant antioxidants, including as glutathione and vitamins C and E.
Compounds known as antioxidants work to thwart free radicals and lessen oxidative stress, which can lead to cell damage.
According to several research, antioxidants may provide some degree of protection against a number of ailments, including heart disease, cancer, arthritis, and neurological illnesses.
A high-fat diet was given to rabbits in one study, and wheatgrass reduced oxidative stress and raised cholesterol levels.
Wheatgrass supplementation also raised glutathione and vitamin C levels, two antioxidants.
Another test-tube investigation into wheatgrass’s antioxidant capacity discovered that it minimised oxidative cell damage.
More investigations are required to ascertain how the antioxidants in wheatgrass may impact people as the study on it is confined to test-tube and animal studies.
SUMMARY
Wheatgrass contains a lot of vitamins, minerals, and amino acids as well as a lot of chlorophyll. Its antioxidant content may prevent oxidative stress and cell damage, according to test-tube and animal studies.
2. Could Lower Cholesterol
The body has a waxy substance called cholesterol. While your body needs some cholesterol to generate bile and hormones, having too much can obstruct blood flow and raise your risk of heart disease.
Wheatgrass may help decrease cholesterol levels, according to several animal studies.
Rats with elevated cholesterol were given wheatgrass juice in one research. They saw reductions in triglycerides, “bad” LDL cholesterol, and total cholesterol.
It’s interesting to note that the effects of wheatgrass were comparable to those of the pharmaceutical drug atorvastatin, which is frequently used to treat high blood cholesterol (7Trusted Source).
Its effects on rabbits on a high-fat diet were the subject of another study. In comparison to a control group, using wheatgrass supplements after 10 weeks reduced total cholesterol and elevated “good” HDL cholesterol (5Trusted Source).
Despite these encouraging findings, more research is required to discover whether wheatgrass supplements can lower cholesterol levels in people.
SUMMARY
Although human studies are required, several animal research have suggested that wheatgrass may help lower blood cholesterol levels.
3. May Aid in Destroying Cancer Cells
Some test-tube investigations have discovered that wheatgrass may aid in the destruction of cancer cells because of its high antioxidant content.
One test-tube investigation found that wheatgrass extract significantly reduced the spread of mouth cancer cells by 41%. (8Trusted Source).
Another test-tube investigation found that within three days of treatment, wheatgrass promoted cell death and decreased the number of leukaemia cells by up to 65%. (9Trusted Source).
According to some research, when used in conjunction with conventional cancer treatment, a wheatgrass drink may also help minimise side effects.
In one trial, wheatgrass juice reduced the chance of poor bone marrow function, a frequent side effect of chemotherapy, in 60 breast cancer patients (10Trusted Source).
The putative anti-cancer properties of wheatgrass in humans, however, remain unproven. To comprehend how it might affect a person’s development of cancer, more research is required.
SUMMARY
Wheatgrass may help kill cancer cells and prevent the growth of cancer, according to tests conducted in test tubes. Additionally, one human study discovered that it might lessen chemotherapy side effects.
4. May Help Regulate Blood Sugar
Numerous symptoms, such as headaches, thirst, frequent urination, and fatigue, can be brought on by high blood sugar.
Long-term effects of elevated blood sugar include nerve damage, skin infections, and eye issues.
Wheatgrass may aid in controlling blood sugar levels, according to several animal studies.
In one study, feeding diabetic rats wheatgrass changed the amounts of certain enzymes that reduce blood sugar (11Trusted Source).
Another study discovered that giving wheatgrass extract to diabetic mice for 30 days led to dramatically lower blood sugar levels (12Trusted Source).
There has only been animal research on the effects of wheatgrass on blood sugar. To fully understand how it might impact human blood sugar, more research is required.
SUMMARY
Although further human trials are required, several animal studies have suggested that wheatgrass may help lower blood sugar levels.
5. Could reduce inflammation
The immune system normally causes inflammation to defend the body from injury and illness.
However, it is thought that autoimmune illnesses, cancer, and heart disease are all influenced by chronic inflammation (13Trusted Source).
According to certain studies, wheatgrass and its constituent parts may help lessen inflammation.
The effects of wheatgrass juice on ulcerative colitis, a condition characterised by inflammation in the large intestine, were examined in one short trial including 23 individuals.
Patients with ulcerative colitis who drank slightly under half a cup (100 ml) of wheatgrass juice for a month experienced less severe illness and less rectal haemorrhage (14Trusted Source).
Chlorophyll, a plant pigment with potent anti-inflammatory effects, is also abundant in wheatgrass. Chlorophyll suppressed the activity of a particular protein that causes inflammation, according to a test-tube study.
In addition, a different test-tube investigation discovered that the chemicals in chlorophyll decreased inflammation in artery cell extracts (16Trusted Source).
The majority of study focuses on specific components of wheatgrass or wheatgrass’ effects on a particular ailment. Its potential anti-inflammatory benefits on the general populace require further research.
SUMMARY
Inflammatory bowel illness ulcerative colitis may be treated with wheatgrass, according to one study. Furthermore, research in test tubes has revealed that the wheatgrass component chlorophyll may help lessen inflammation.
6. Might Encourage Weight Loss
As a simple and practical strategy to accelerate weight loss, many people have started including wheatgrass juice in their diet.
Thylakoids, which are microscopic compartments in plants that contain chlorophyll and absorb sunlight for photosynthesis, are present in wheatgrass.
Although there isn’t any proof that wheatgrass itself will speed up weight loss, multiple studies have indicated that using thylakoid supplements can improve satiety and speed up weight loss.
One short study found that adding thylakoids to a high-carb meal increased satiety compared to a placebo (17Trusted Source).
Similar to this, a mouse study revealed that feeding with thylakoids boosted fullness by delaying stomach emptying and boosting the release of hormones that curb appetite (18Trusted Source).
Another study discovered that thylakoids reduced food intake and body weight in rats on a high-fat diet as compared to a control group (19Trusted Source).
But keep in mind that thylakoids are also present in a variety of other foods, such as leafy greens and green vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and lettuce.
Additionally, these experiments used thylakoids at levels that were significantly higher than what is generally observed in wheatgrass.
Additionally, there is no specific research on wheatgrass’ impact on weight loss. To examine its impact on human weight loss, more research is required.
SUMMARY
The thylakoids in wheatgrass and other green crops have been linked to increased satiety and weight loss in both human and animal studies.
7. Simple to Include in Your Diet
In powder, juice, and pill form, wheatgrass is readily accessible and is simple to find in health food stores and speciality supermarkets.
Additionally, you can create your own wheatgrass juice using a juicer if you can cultivate wheatgrass at home.
You can add wheatgrass juice or powder to your favourite green smoothies to increase their nutritional value in addition to drinking it directly.
Additionally, you can add wheatgrass juice to teas, salad dressings, and other liquids.
SUMMARY
There are several methods to take wheatgrass, which is offered as a drink, powder, or supplement. Including it in your diet is really simple.
Precautions and Side Effects
For people with celiac disease or gluten intolerance, wheatgrass is typically regarded as safe. This is due to the fact that only the seeds of the wheat kernel, not the grass, contain gluten.
However, it’s recommended to talk to your doctor if you do have a gluten sensitivity before consuming wheatgrass or to stick to items that are labelled gluten-free.
If you cultivate wheatgrass at home, it is also particularly prone to mould. Always err on the side of caution and throw something away if it has a bitter taste or other indicators of deterioration.
Finally, some consumers of wheatgrass juice or supplements report experiencing symptoms including nausea, headaches, or diarrhoea. It’s advised to reduce your consumption if you feel these or any other negative effects.
Consider consulting a doctor or completely cutting out wheatgrass from your diet if unpleasant symptoms continue.
SUMMARY
Wheatgrass is thought to be gluten-free, but if you are sensitive to gluten, you should take extra care. It can also support the formation of mould and give some people uncomfortable sensations.
The Bottom Line
Weight loss, reduced inflammation, lowered cholesterol, and improved blood sugar regulation are just a few of the health advantages of wheatgrass and its constituents.
However, there is a dearth of studies on its effects in people, and most of them are just interested in its particular compounds.
Wheatgrass consumption as a supplement to a healthy diet may help supply some extra nutrients and a number of health advantages, while further research is required to prove these claims.