Wheatgrass

October 3, 2020

Overview

Wheatgrass is a kind of grass. The above-ground parts, roots, and rhizome are used to make medicine. Wheatgrass is primarily used as a concentrated source of nutrients. It contains vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, iron, calcium, magnesium, and amino acids.

Wheatgrass is taken by mouth to increase production of hemoglobin, the chemical in red blood cells that carries oxygen, in patients with a blood disorder called beta-thalassemia. It is also commonly used for a variety of conditions including inflammatory bowel syndrome, diabetes, high cholesterol, and many more, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

Wheatgrass juice is a popular health drink. It is thought to benefit health only when fresh and taken on an empty stomach immediately after being mixed. But there is no research to date that supports this.

In foods and beverages, wheatgrass extracts are used as a flavoring component.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Grass used for making medicines

Primary Functions:

Health Drink

Also Known As:

Agropyre, Agropyron, Agropyron repens, Agropyron firmum, Blé en Herbe

How Does It Work?

Wheatgrass contains chemicals that might have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory (anti-swelling) activity. This is why some people think it might be helpful for conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. It also contains a chemical that might fight bacterial infections.

Uses

Blood disorder called beta-thalassemia. Research evaluating wheatgrass for treating a blood disorder called beta-thalassemia shows conflicting results. Some early research suggests that drinking 100 mL of wheatgrass juice daily for 18 months or taking tablets containing 1-4 grams of wheatgrass daily for 12 months can reduce the need for blood transfusions in children with beta-thalassemia. However, other early research suggests that taking tablets containing 100-200 mg/kg of wheatgrass daily for 12 months does not reduce the need for blood transfusions in children and adults with beta-thalassemia. Larger, higher quality studies are needed to resolve these conflicting results.
Heel pain. Early research suggests that applying a wheatgrass cream to the bottom of the feet twice daily for 6 weeks does not reduce heel pain.
High cholesterol. Early research suggests that taking wheatgrass powder in a capsule daily for 10 weeks reduces total cholesterol and triglyceridecholesterol levels by a small amount in women with elevated cholesterol levels.
Inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis). There is some early research that freshly extracted wheatgrass juice might reduce overall disease activity and the severity of rectal bleeding in people with ulcerative colitis.
Anemia.
Cancer.
Diabetes.
High blood pressure.
Preventing infections.
Preventing tooth decay.
Reducing cholesterol.
Removing drugs, metals, toxins, and cancer-causing substances from the body.
Wound healing.

Recommended Dosing

The appropriate dose of wheatgrass depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for wheatgrass. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Wheatgrass Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What is wheatgrass pills good for?

Wheatgrass and its components have been associated with many health benefits, including weight loss, decreased inflammation, lower cholesterol and better blood sugar control. However, research on its effects in humans is lacking, and many studies are focused solely on its specific compounds.

Why wheatgrass is bad for you?

Wheatgrass fans say that its rich nutrient content boosts immunity, kills harmful bacteria in the digestive system, and rids the body of wastes. However, there are no significant research studies to support these claims. Wheatgrass is generally considered safe. It may cause nausea, anorexia and constipation.

When should I take wheatgrass tablets?

It is thought to benefit health only when fresh and taken on an empty stomach immediately after extraction. But there is no research to date that supports this. Wheatgrass cream is applied to the bottom of the feet to treat heel pain. In foods and beverages, wheatgrass extracts are used as a flavoring component.

How much wheatgrass should you have a day?

Try at least a 1 oz shot each day for 5 days in a row (to see how you feel). For full wheatgrass benefits, drink 2 oz in the morning and 2 oz in the afternoon.

Is wheatgrass bad for kidneys?

Wheatgrass is usually taken as a juice and as such is very high in potassium; therefore it is not a suitable drink for people with kidney disease.

Who should not take wheatgrass?

It may cause nausea, anorexia and constipation. However, if you are allergic to wheat or grass, or have celiac disease or gluten intolerance, check with your doctor before using wheatgrass. Wheatgrass is usually grown in soil or water and consumed raw, which means it could be contaminated with bacteria or mold.

How long does it take for wheatgrass to work?

Dosage: Consume 3.5 to 4 ounces of wheatgrass for a minimum of two weeks to feel the effects.

What is the best way to consume wheatgrass?

One way to consume raw wheatgrass or wheatgrass powder is in a smoothie or juice. However, it does have an overpowering taste. Mixing it with an ingredient that has a strong taste, such as pineapple, may make it more palatable. Other options include mixing it with milk, honey, or fruit juice.

Does wheatgrass have side effects?

Though wheatgrass has many benefits but it also has some side effects including, nausea, constipation, loss of appetite, influenza and headache.

Does wheatgrass detox your body?

It can eliminate toxins.

The nutrients in wheatgrass aid the body in getting rid of impurities and stored toxins. For example, the chlorophyll aids in detoxing the body and helps support healthy liver function. Once your body is cleansed, you may see an increase in energy levels and better health overall.

Will wheatgrass make you poop?

Wheatgrass cleanses the blood, organs and gastrointestinal tract of debris (aka poop). This green shot of yuck stimulates metabolism and the body's enzyme systems by enriching the blood. Blood is in you to live.

What is the best time to drink wheatgrass juice?

Best time to consume wheatgrass:

It is advised to consume a glass of wheatgrass juice after you wake up. Twenty minutes after you have taken the juice you can have your breakfast. Note: Wheatgrass juice should be taken on an empty stomach.

Is it OK to drink wheatgrass every day?

It's regarded as a super potent health food with amazing benefits. It's usually consumed as a fresh juice, but it also comes in powdered form. Fresh wheatgrass juice is considered to be a living food. It can be used as an everyday health tonic and may even help treat specific diseases.

What happens when you drink wheatgrass every day?

Improves digestion

When you drink wheatgrass juice daily, you get the benefit of the high levels of enzymes present in wheatgrass. It contains plenty of vital enzymes like protease, lipase and cytochrome oxidase which help in protein digestion, splitting fats and safeguarding against oxidative stress.

Is wheatgrass good for your skin?

The natural anti-ageing properties of wheatgrass help rejuvenate cells, take care of sagging skin, maintain skin elasticity and keep you looking younger.

Is wheatgrass good for fatty liver?

Effect of wheatgrass on membrane fatty acid composition during hepatotoxicity induced by alcohol and heated PUFA. Wheatgrass (WG) is used as a supplemental nutrition because of its unique curative properties. As it has antioxidant property, it prevents cancer, diabetes, and acts as liver cleanser.

Can you put wheatgrass in tea?

Many people often add fresh or powdered wheatgrass to juices or smoothies, or just take a shot of it by itself. But whisked into hot water with a bit of ginger syrup, it's a soothing, earthy, good-for-you hot beverage. If you like matcha tea, you will probably enjoy wheatgrass tea as well.

Is wheatgrass good for autoimmune disease?

However, chronic inflammation is believed to contribute to conditions like cancer, heart disease and autoimmune disorders. Some research shows that wheatgrass and its components may help reduce inflammation. Wheatgrass is also rich in chlorophyll, a plant pigment with powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

Is wheatgrass a blood thinner?

Natural Blood Thinners

Food and herbal supplements with blood-thinning effects include alfalfa, avocado, fish oil, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, grapefruit, green tea, horse chestnut, omega-3 fatty acids, papaya, pomegranate, St. John's wort, turmeric, wheatgrass and willow bark.

Is powdered wheatgrass as good as fresh?

Wheatgrass Powder vs. Wheatgrass Juice Powder

While a wheat grass powder can have nearly 4 times more fiber than wheat grass juice powder, the juice powder will typically have more (and in some cases, significantly more) of vitamins A and E, Calcium and other nutrients. More vitamin A and vitamin E.

Do you take wheatgrass on an empty stomach?

Gives you energy

Wheatgrass juice is ideally consumed on an empty stomach to avoid nausea. When taken on an empty stomach, it gets incorporated into the blood in about 20 minutes, affording a natural glow and an instant burst of energy to the drinker.

Can you drink too much wheatgrass?

If it has a bitter taste or shows signs of spoilage, err on the side of caution and discard it. Finally, some people report symptoms like nausea, headaches or diarrhea after consuming wheatgrass in juice or supplement form. If you experience these or any other adverse effects, it's best to decrease your intake.