Wheatgrass is more than just a pretty plant.
There’s actually a lot more to it than being a perfect prop in a smoothie shop, although it's still a staple in health juice bars.
In fact, wheatgrass health benefits are nothing to gloss over. Some studies indicate its powerful antioxidants may help in the prevention of certain diseases and potentially lower cholesterol.
Because of its versatility, it’s become quite the popular “superfood” in nutrition circles. The thick, green blades of grass have been used since ancient times for a variety of medicinal purposes, too.
In recent years, this green plant has become a go-to dietary supplement for many. Consumers use it as a nutritional supplement due to its low-calorie yet prolific nutrient count. You can take it raw or add it to water, smoothies, yogurts, and even soups.
Curious about this super green grass?
Read on to learn all you’ve ever needed to know about wheatgrass health benefits!
What is Wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass belongs to the wheat plant family as the young grass of the wheat plant. It’s grown throughout the U.S. and Europe in mild temperatures. It was first used for medicinal purposes in ancient Egypt.
Most people find the easiest way to gain the wheatgrass health benefits is through juicing it.
The coolest aspect of how wheatgrass grows is that it can be grown both indoors and outdoors!
If you’re interested in growing your own, you can place wheat seeds in water and harvest it yourself.
Wheatgrass Health Benefits
Wheatgrass is known for its excellent source of a variety of minerals and vitamins. When you break it down, the full nutritional profile of wheatgrass is pretty impressive. Researchers have also found it has antibacterial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects, thanks to its high chlorophyll content.
Here’s a look at some of the wheatgrass health perks:
- It’s nutrient-dense - In wheatgrass, you’ll find a TON of healthy perks. Not only does it contain calcium and iron, but you’ll find 17 amino acids, magnesium, chlorophyll, and phytonutrients.
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It has vitamins galore - Need a little vitamin boost? Wheatgrass has you covered. You’ll find vitamins A, C, E, K, and B complex inside this green stuff.
- It’s an immunity enhancer - Thanks to the multitude of vitamins wheatgrass contains, it acts as a sort of multi-vitamin. Adding wheatgrass to an already well-balanced diet — on top of other healthy-living strategies — may keep your immune system healthy.
4 Ways to Reap Wheatgrass Health Benefits
Unlike other greens, you don’t want to just clip this off the plant and start munching on it. You definitely can, but it’s not the best — or most enjoyable way — to experience this grass.
Thanks to a variety of oral methods to take it, you can get your daily dose of wheatgrass in the way that works best for you. Nutritionists recommend juice or powder, though, to reap the top health benefits. Avoid any wheatgrass products that use high heat as this method destroys the nutrients.
A few ways to try wheatgrass:
- Juice - Because the leaves are hard for the gut to digest, users will crush and squeeze it into a juice. You can use a high-grade kitchen juicer to extract every ounce of vitamins from the thin blades.
- Tablets - You can take wheatgrass tablets with meals.
- Pill - Wheatgrass may also be ground into a powder for capsules or tablets.
- Powder - If you can handle downing the bright green drink straight up, you can also mix wheatgrass powder with water. It may taste like yard clippings, but it’s healthy, right?
A shot of greens, anyone? And if none of the above ways sound appealing in getting your wheatgrass benefits, you can always try our organic GREEN UP shot!
Our Favorite Wheatgrass Juice Benefits
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It’s the most nutritious - You’ll gain the most benefit if it’s consumed as a raw juice or shot or in powdered form. If you eat wheatgrass that has been heated in any way, it reduces the nutrient profile significantly.
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It’s easy to consume - If you’ve got a juicer or take a wheatgrass shot, you can quickly take your nutrient-dense beverage on the go.
- It’s fresh - There’s nothing tastier than fresh-from-the-earth ingredients. You’ll notice a stronger taste and aromatic scent when you consume freshly-made wheatgrass.
Is Wheatgrass Gluten-Free?
Despite containing wheat in its name, wheatgrass actually can be gluten-free if it’s harvested from a wheat plant that’s seed-free, according to Beyond Celiac, an organization dedicated to celiac disease research and resources. While the grass itself is technically gluten-free, those who have severe wheat allergies should avoid it completely.
Important note: If you have any allergies to wheat or grass — or have celiac disease or gluten intolerance — you’ll want to check with your doctor before using wheatgrass.
Other Reasons to Love Wheatgrass
You may be wondering if you should give this very green and fresh-from-the-earth health food a try.
Other than being rich in vitamins, studies show it promotes a healthy metabolism, may help prevent tooth decay, may reduce inflammation, and can potentially reduce your risk of cancer.
Plus, wheatgrass has even more health perks to consider:
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It’s chlorophyll-rich- Chlorophyll is what gives wheatgrass its rich green color. In studies, this plant pigment has been known to help with anti-aging. It’s also thought to be potentially helpful for treating health concerns like anemia.
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It may kill cancer cells - Some test tube experiments indicate that wheatgrass may help kill cancer cells. The 2017 study Wheatgrass: Green Blood Can Help to Fight Cancer published in the Journal of Clinical & Diagnostic Research found “wheatgrass holds great promise in management of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma (OSCC)” in particular.
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It’s a potential cholesterol reducer - For those who struggle with high or “bad” cholesterol levels, wheatgrass may be able to get you back on track. It’s known to lower cholesterol levels, which makes you less prone to developing heart conditions.
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It has anti-microbial properties - A 2015 study published in the Journal of Dental Research and Review evaluated the antimicrobial activity of wheatgrass against certain bacteria. The study uncovered that wheatgrass may kill and/or slow bacterial growth that causes certain dental infections.
- Other wheatgrass health benefits - A 2002 study found wheatgrass may also ease symptoms of ulcerative colitis patients. Another preliminary study found wheatgrass ingestion could potentially minimize chemotherapy side effects.
Note: If you decide to eat wheatgrass raw, you’ll want to be especially mindful of contamination due to bacteria and/or pesticides. Look for organic options if you decide you want to eat or juice your own wheatgrass at home.
Go Green Today with Wheatgrass
With a history of use dating back as far as 5,000 years and plenty of ways to consume it, go ahead and add wheatgrass to your list of new health foods to try.
Wheatgrass may be a bit of an acquired taste, but can’t that be said for most healthy foods?
It’s definitely got a “grassy” taste, depending on how you consume it. But you may also find it to be mildly sweet and easy to drink when juiced. For those who don’t want a super grassy taste, you may find our perfectly balanced organic GREEN UP shot is just the right balance of wheatgrass and other healthy ingredients.
And while wheatgrass is certainly nutrient-dense, it’s important to maintain a well-balanced diet if you’re considering juicing or incorporating wheatgrass into your diet.
Try it for yourself to see how you feel and if you notice a difference in your health.
What’s your favorite way to reap wheatgrass health benefits? Let us know in the comments below!
Interested in wheatgrass health benefits? Try GREEN UP, our organic wheatgrass shot! It’s filled to the brim with wheatgrass juice, spirulina, pineapple juice, lemon juice, and ginger juice!
