Is Wheatgrass Really As Good As They Say It Is?
Wheatgrass is simply the young “grass” stage of the wheat plant. This grass is harvested when it is between seven and ten inches tall. It is commonly consumed freshly juiced, frozen, in tablet form, or mixed into other foods in a powdered format. It is said that wheatgrass provides chlorophyll, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and various healthful enzymes. There are plenty of claims surrounding wheatgrass, from curing illnesses, to providing extra nutritional benefits. Many people believe so strongly in this item, that they grow it right in their own house.
Depending on how you prefer to take your wheatgrass, the recommended dosage varies. If electing for a powder or tablet form, most nutritionists recommend consuming about 3.5 grams per day. If going with a juice variety, one 30 milliliter shot per day should suffice, however some recommend two to four ounces be taken anywhere from one to three times per day. It is important to note that if individuals who consume a poor diet take wheatgrass, nausea may occur.
There are plenty of opinions on whether or not wheatgrass is really as good as all of the claims. While there are plenty of assertions, from general health and well being, to preventing cancer, and promoting whole body detoxification, there has been no scientific evidence to back up any of the hype.
For example, some claims state that consuming a small amount of wheatgrass daily is equivalent to consuming a large amount of common vegetables. Research has proven that the nutritional content of wheatgrass juice is equivalent to that of any other fresh vegetable. Wheatgrass is also touted as being superior to other vegetables in the content of vitamin B12. Studies have found that wheatgrass does not actually contain any vitamin B12, however, the vitamin is a byproduct of the microorganisms living in the wheatgrass. As for the claim of promoting detoxification, there has been no such data to support that statement.
Finally, wheatgrass contains a good deal of chlorophyll, which is said to promote blood flow throughout the body, as well as aid in digestion. None of these claims have been substantiated through testing. That being said, there is a small amount of new research that has been published that suggests diets rich in chlorophyll (such as that found in green leafy vegetables) may in fact lower the risk of colon cancer. There is more research pending on this issue.
Check out these reviews & popular articles below:
