What Is Wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass is the young grass of the wheat plant, scientifically known as Triticum aestivum. It is a food prepared from freshly sprouted first leaves of the Wheat plant.
Availability
Wheatgrass is used in combination with other juices or supplements. Now considered to be a complete healthy nutritious drink,” several forms of wheatgrass are widely available in various forms:
- Juice
- Capsules
- Powder
- Pills/Tablets
Wheatgrass is packed with a powerful combination of nutrients that make it extremely useful to your health. Wheatgrass has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.
It contains:
- Iron
- Calcium
- Enzymes
- Magnesium
- 17 Amino Acids
- Vitamins A, C, E, K and B-Complex
- Chlorophyll
- Protein
The nutrient in wheatgrass helps the body to get rid of impurities and stored toxins. It also helps in supporting healthy liver function.
Wheatgrass has high levels of enzymes that helps your body to break down food and absorb nutrients resulting in easy digestion. The detox effects of wheatgrass clean your intestines so you experience less gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.
Drinking wheatgrass juice can boost your metabolism and results in weight loss because of it’s low calories and has no fat.
Wheatgrass is also known to lower cholesterol levels, which can make you less at risk for developing heart disease.
Wheatgrass boost the function of your immune system which helps in fight against infections like fever, sore throat, coryza, etc.
Your energy levels may be higher from the nourishment you receive. Once your body has cleared out harmful substances you will feel rejuvenated and refreshed.
You can lower your blood pressure by consuming wheatgrass. The chlorophyll molecule ishelps in increasing blood cell count. This helps to normalize blood pressure.
Wheatgrass may improve overall mental function and relieves anxiety. It has neuroprotective effect also and can help to treat Alzheimer’s disease. It helps to prevent memory loss and can be used to improve hand-eye coordination.
Wheatgrass helps to improve blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.
The anti-inflammatory properties of wheatgrass may ease some of the symptoms of arthritis, such as stiffness, pain, and swelling. This may result in less discomfort and improved function.
When not to take wheatgrass?
- Do not take wheat grass if you have an intolerance or have coeliac disease.
- Raw wheat grass may be contaminated with bacteria.
- Pregnant women, breast feeding mothers, children and those with disorders of the immune system should avoid it.
How much quantity one should take?
Consumption of the right quantities of wheat grass is generally safe. Unless advised not to consume wheat grass.
As per the instructions given by your medical practitioner, take up to four doses /glasses maximum per day.
For good results drink wheatgrass juice immediately after juicing it.
Wheatgrass juice can be consumed up to 12 hours after juicing it. The sooner you drink it, the more alive the enzymes.
Side effects of wheatgrass
- Nausea & Upset Stomach: Nausea could also be attributed to your body’s intolerance to wheatgrass. Mostly, people think that nauseated feeling is due to detoxification. Wheatgrass contains gluten, and some individuals who are gluten intolerant can suffer from nausea as well as indigestion. If nausea persists consult with your doctor.
- Headache: One could suffer from headaches after having wheat grass juice. If pain persist than consult your doctor.
- Constipation: Constipation is one of the other side effects of wheatgrass juice. Certain individuals can experience constipation after drinking wheatgrass juice.
- Allergy: Wheatgrass may cause allergies, especially when consumed in the pill or juice form. It may develop symptoms in different parts of the body just after a few minutes of consuming wheatgrass. This usually happens due to the overproduction of certain chemicals that combat the suspected allergens.
