Wheatgrass Benefits and Uses

Wheatgrass has been used for millennia for its many health benefits. While many people prefer to drink its juice to avail these benefits, it is also available a powder and capsules. We talk about the characteristics of the plant and its many health benefits below.

What is Wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is the name for young common wheat grass. It is a type of grass that is used as a dietary supplement and as a food. It is consumed as raw juice or as sprout juice. It is a popular health food that has been used as a nutritional supplement since the 1950s in Germany. It is also used in other parts of the world, like the Middle East and Asia.

Wheatgrass is made from sprouted wheat seeds. It is a green, leafy vegetable that is rich in vitamins and minerals. The main active ingredients in wheatgrass are chlorophyll and enzymes. It helps boost the immune system. Wheatgrass is different from common wheat which is grown for food and animal feed.

Characteristics of the Wheatgrass Plant

The plant has its origins in Asia, Africa and Europe. It is known to have grown as far back as 4,000 B.C. Wheatgrass is a variety of wheat that is normally green and has long thin leaves.

It has a sweet, fresh scent and a fresh, grassy flavour. The plant grows very quickly, maturing in about two to three weeks. It is usually grown in a greenhouse and then harvested at the green sprout stage. The leaves are then dried and made into a powder, juice or tablet form.

Wheatgrass Benefits

Wheatgrass is used to promote good health and heal certain health conditions. Here are some of the benefits of wheatgrass.

Helps in treating Diabetes

One of the greatest causes of worldwide mortality is diabetes mellitus. In diabetic patients, a continuing high glucose level causes numerous problems. Hypoglycaemics are important for lowering the risk of type II diabetes secondary complications, but they may have some negative effects.

A highly powerful agent to balance glucose is wheatgrass. Treatment with wheatgrass can also reverse the effects of diabetes on insulin and liver glycogen levels, as well as the activity of glucose oxidative enzymes.[1]

Rich in essential Nutrients

It provides good mineral nutrients. Iron, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, and zinc are present in substantial concentrations. Additionally, it contains a lot of tocopherol, which is rich in vitamin E. Wheatgrass's nutritional value has been credited with giving it therapeutic potential. It is an active immunity booster due to its makeup.[2]

Benefits of Wheatgrass for Weight Loss

Weight loss is a popular reason that people use wheatgrass. Thylakoids are small compartments that are found in plants. They contain chlorophyll and absorb sunlight for photosynthesis and are present in wheatgrass. Multiple studies have shown that these thylakoid supplements can improve satiety and boost weight loss.

Thylakoids can increase satiety signals while suppressing the desire to eat. In order to limit calorie intake and avoid compensatory eating later in the day, thylakoids are added to the diet, which may eventually help people lose weight.[3]

Benefits of Wheatgrass for Cholesterol

A number of causes can lead to high cholesterol like eating fatty food, not exercising enough, smoking, drinking alcohol, or even chronic stress and lack of sleep. Wheatgrass has been shown to lower bad cholesterol levels and raise good cholesterol levels.

In a recent study, adding wheatgrass to a high-fat diet improved lipid levels (decreased total cholesterol and increased HDL-C, the good cholesterol). It also brings significantly lower MDA levels, higher levels of GSH and vitamin C, and improved lipid levels overall. These findings point to wheatgrass' positive effects in reducing hyperlipidemia.[4]

Anti-carcinogenic benefits of Wheatgrass

Various laboratory studies have demonstrated the anti-cancer potential of Wheatgrass. Wheatgrass showed promise as a cancer treatment adjuvant as well as a cancer preventive. It also showed benefits to immunity boost and oxidative stress. Wheatgrass may also help chemotherapy-related side effects. [5]

Oral Cancer is the sixth most common cancer worldwide and is one of the leading causes of death. Cancer is usually managed by using chemotherapy which is toxic not only to the tumour cells but also to normal cells. Wheatgrass is claimed to be a good alternative in this case. The proliferation of oral cancer cell lines is inhibited by wheatgrass aqueous extract.[6]

Traditional Use of Wheatgrass in Ayurveda

The Ayurvedic medical system mentions using the wheatgrass (T. aestivum) plant. In Ayurveda, it is utilised to treat vitiated diseases of Kapha and Pitta as well as acidity, colitis, kidney problems, swollen wounds, and kidney dysfunction.

Rasa: Madhur/Sweet
Virya: Sheet/Cold
Guna: Snigdha/Oily, Guru/Heavy [7]

Additionally, wheatgrass is used for its potential as an antibiotic, astringent, laxative, diuretic, and antioxidant. Wheatgrass has the ability to regulate blood sugar levels as well.

Modern Scientific Research on Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is known to have a host of health benefits. It is rich in vitamins and minerals and has anti-oxidants that are good for the body. Various studies have testified that wheatgrass can lower cholesterol levels, prevent certain types of cancers and improve digestion. Some of them are listed below.

• “Wheatgrass (triticum aestivum linn.): a potential substitute of human blood in traditional system of medicine” [8]
• “Wheatgrass: Green Blood can Help to Fight Cancer” [9]
• “The Medical Use of Wheatgrass: Review of the Gap Between Basic and Clinical Applications” [10]
• “Hypoglycaemic role of wheatgrass and its effect on carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in type II diabetic rats” [11]
• “Chromatographic analysis of wheatgrass extracts” [12]
• Antioxidant effect of Triticum Aestivium (wheatgrass) in high-fat diet-induced oxidative stress in rabbits [13]

How to take Wheatgrass as a supplement

Wheatgrass is usually consumed as a juice or dried powder. It can also be sprouted or grown at home. As a supplement, it is generally taken in capsules. It is also possible to take it as a tincture, tea, or poultice. People also add wheatgrass juice to smoothies and salads.

Capsule

People can consume wheatgrass as a supplement by taking it in capsule form. Capsules enable precise dosage and easier intake. You can take Hesh’s Wheatgrass Vegan Capsules twice a day after meals for the best results. Take the capsules with a glass of water or warm milk.

Tablet

Tablets are a great alternative to capsules. Like the latter, they can help you take a precise and regulated amount of the supplement. You can take a Wheatgrass tablet with water along with 1-2 meals every day. It is recommended to take wheatgrass with water tablets with lukewarm water.

Juice

Freshly cut wheatgrass can be used to prepare a juice. It can simply be processed in a juicer like any other fruit or vegetable. You can start with one glass of fresh juice once a day in the morning.

Powder

Typically, 3 to 5 grammes, or roughly 1 teaspoon of Wheatgrass powder is the recommended daily dosage. After consuming wheatgrass, sipping a cup of water can help lower your likelihood of experiencing negative effects.

Is it safe to take Wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is a majorly safe supplement and can be consumed by people of all ages.

However, people with allergies to plants such as ragweed, daisies, and chrysanthemums should avoid taking wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is also not recommended for pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.

People with gluten allergy and bleeding disorders, or people on blood thinning medications should also consult their doctor before taking wheatgrass.