Wheatgrass is considered as one of the most famous green foods because of it very high nutritional value. Wheatgrass is the younger form of wheat, a basic food source for humans as it is used to produce grains and breads. Wheatgrass contains very high amount of chlorophyll which is the equivalent of blood for humans. Wheatgrass is also rich in essential vitamins and minerals as the nutritional value of 1 pound of wheatgrass is equivalent to 23 pounds of other vegetables. Wheatgrass is usually consumed in juice form because of its high-fiber composition. It needs to undergo liquefaction before the body can absorb all the important nutrients in it.
Wheatgrass juice has almost 70 percent chlorophyll content. To plant, chlorophyll gives them their green colour and is responsible to the production of their nutrients. For humans, chlorophyll also serves many important functions like increasing red blood cells, lowering blood pressure, and being a powerful antioxidant. Other than chlorophyll, wheat grass is high in vitamin A along with the beta carotenes, vitamin B complex, vitamin C, vitamin E, and several amino acids including tryptophan, phenylalanine, and lysine. The concentration of these healthy compounds in wheatgrass juice produces all the benefits of this green food.
Wheatgrass Benefits
- Wheatgrass is an energy tonic. Two ounces of fresh wheatgrass juice produces the same stimulating effects with two cups of coffee, coffee side effects not included.
- The antioxidant effect of wheatgrass can combat the free radicals produced by damaging oxidative processes occurring in the body. Free radicals are the cause of certain diseases, premature aging, and the appearance of the signs of aging.
- Wheatgrass juice can prevent anemia as it helps in the production of the oxygen-carrying red blood cells.
- Wheatgrass helps in restoring the alkalinity of the blood and reduces the bloods over-acidity. It will relieve the signs and symptoms of peptic ulcers and ulcerative colitis.
- Wheatgrass juice cleanses the gastrointestinal tract and gets rid of harmful debris in it. It is helpful in alleviating gastrointestinal symptoms like constipation, diarrhea, heartburn, and others.
- Wheatgrass is a powerful detoxifier. It protects the liver and bloodstream from harmful chemicals from drugs and alcohol.
- Wheatgrass juice is an effective weight loss agent. Being a complete food, it has just the adequate amount of starch to be converted to the simple sugars needed by the body.
- Wheatgrass can help in preventing the growth of bacteria and thus prevents bacterial infections.
Wheatgrass Side Effects
Wheatgrass supplements have dosage directions, it is very important to adhere to these instructions. However, there are no known side effects of taking wheatgrass supplements. Even people with known gluten and wheat allergies can take wheatgrass juice.
