Wheatgrass is not the most-loved super-food on the planet, mainly because not a lot of people like how it tastes, but the health benefits of wheatgrass surpass most other super-foods.
Nutritional information
Wheatgrass contains a number of minerals and vitamins which are rarely found together in just one food. Just one glass of wheatgrass juice provides the same amount of nutrition as 1 whole kilogram of green, leafy vegetables, so you can just imagine how potent this super-food is. Here are some of the vitamins and minerals in wheatgrass.
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin K
- Sodium
- Potassium
- Selenium
- Calcium
- Iron
- Magnesium
- Iodine
- Beta-carotene
- Phosphorous
Wheatgrass has some unique properties which render it an absolute miracle when it comes to healing the body. Even mainstream doctors who are wary of alternative or herbal therapies will attest to the powers of wheatgrass because it is backed by science.
Purifies the blood
The chlorophyll in wheatgrass has the same structure as that of human blood. So by imbibing wheatgrass, you can increases your red blood cell count and purify your blood in the bargain. Wheatgrass is even potent enough to cure disorders of the blood such as thalassemia.
Detoxifies the body
Widespread pollution and general unhealthy eating habits cause our bodily systems to get loaded with toxicity. It’s difficult to be healthy when your organs are saturated with toxic junk. It can lead to anything from mild discomfort to full-on disease. One of the main health benefits of wheatgrass is that it can, over time, detoxify the body. This means that your organs will work more efficiently and you’ll be in better health than ever.
Boosts immunity
The detoxification is one of the things that gets your immune system to work better. The high mineral, vitamin and amino acid content of wheatgrass is the other factor that promotes the health of the immune system. Advocates of wheatgrass claim that they have not had to see a doctor ever since they started taking wheatgrass as they never fall sick.
Improves Metabolism
Another advantage of the detox is that it cleans out your digestive system which in turn improves your metabolism. This will allow your body to gain better nutrition from the food you eat as well as aid your efforts at weight loss.
Good for your skin & hair
Because wheatgrass purifies the blood and detoxifies the body, it literally cleans you up from the inside-out. As any beauty knows, good health equals good skin and hair. Wheatgrass is a fantastic cleanser and can be used as a face mask. The skin absorbs the wheatgrass, rejuvenating skin cells and slowing down aging. But that’s not all. Wheatgrass also slows down greying of hair and can increase hair volume over time too.
Apart from its beauty benefits, wheatgrass can also help to disinfect a wound if applied directly on it. It also has the ability to soothe painful sores, ulcers, rashes and any other irritation or inflammation on the skin.
Regulates hormonal production
Wheatgrass has a dramatic effect on the thyroid gland. It optimizes the functioning of this gland thus regulating any hormonal imbalances. There needs to be a very delicate balance of hormones in the body for you to be in good health. Even a slight deviation from the norm can cause medical trouble. So by regulating your thyroid functioning, wheatgrass promotes overall health in both body and mind.
Regulates Blood Sugar
Wheatgrass is a boon for diabetics as it is very effective at normalizing the levels of sugar in the blood.
May prevent cancer
The chlorophyll in wheatgrass is thought to be potent enough to fight against carcinogens by preventing the absorption of these cancer-causing substances. Research has shown that those who drink fresh wheatgrass juice regularly have a lower risk of developing cancer.
Ways to take wheatgrass
Wheatgrass juice:
This is the simplest way to get the most potent health benefits of wheatgrass. You can grow your own wheatgrass in a tray at home and juice the grass every morning so you are assured a fresh glass. Do not refrigerate wheatgrass or leave it for too long after juicing as it loses its potency over time. Wheatgrass juice has fewer health benefits a mere half an hour after the grass has been juiced.
Wheatgrass powder:
Not all of us have the time or the green thumbs to grow wheatgrass. Fortunately, wheatgrass can be dried out and made into a powder with minimal processing. Of course, the potency will be slightly less when compared to wheatgrass juice, but the convenience is worth it. The advantage of wheatgrass powder is that you can carry it with you even when you travel so you do not have to miss out on the health benefits when you go on vacation. All you have to do is mix the wheatgrass powder with water. The same rules apply here as with fresh wheatgrass juice – drink it as soon as you make the concoction and do not refrigerate it. Another advantage of wheatgrass powder is that it has a longer shelf life than living wheatgrass. When buying wheatgrass powder, look for organic certified brands so as to gain the most benefits.
Wheatgrass capsules/tablets:
Finally, there are wheatgrass capsules and tablets which are one of the most convenient options available but not the best option overall. The chemical compound used to bind the tablets and the substance used for the shell of the capsule are often made from animal sources. Not to mention that the processing required to make it in tablet form can make the wheatgrass lose its potency. Wheatgrass tablets and capsules are not the most ideal way to get your daily dose of wheatgrass but they can be used as a last resort.
Note about Wheatgrass
Every time you introduce something new into the body, it takes time for your body to acclimate to it, even if said thing is actually good for you. With wheatgrass too, you may experience some symptoms initially when you start incorporating it into your diet. Headaches, constipation and nausea are common side-effects, but rest assured that this does not mean that you are reacting badly to the wheatgrass. It is simply your body taking its time to get used to the potent food. Symptoms are especially common in those who have generally unhealthy lifestyles as the level of detoxification required in such unhealthy systems is greater, which is why there is more discomfort.
Extreme symptoms can be avoided by slowly introducing wheatgrass into the system. Try mixing it with other foods. If taking wheatgrass on its own, take small doses on an empty stomach first thing in the morning and wait a half hour before eating anything else. Avoid taking wheatgrass with lemon or milk as the combination is known to cause uncomfortable side effects.
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