It is not too late to get on the wheatgrass bandwagon if you have not done so already. Wheatgrass may seem like the kind of health trend you can attribute to hipsters, treehuggers, and other health and fitness enthusiasts who are more or less obsessed with their practices, but if people are obsessed with wheatgrass, there is a good reason for it: wheatgrass juice is possibly the healthiest food out there, and the benefits of wheatgrass run the gamut, ranging from increased energy levels to improved overall health to head-to-toe beauty.
Do you still have doubts? The following list of 35 reasons why wheatgrass should be incorporated into a person's daily routine can sway your opinion.
Wheatgrass: A Look at Its Nutritional Components Wheatgrass is a source of some really amazing nutritional data. Wheatgrass is not only an excellent source of chlorophyll, vitamins A, C, and E, but it also contains 98 of the 102 earth elements that can be found in soil. These elements include phosphorus, calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. Additionally, wheatgrass contains 19 amino acids and essential enzymes. Additionally, wheatgrass is a rich source of vitamins as well as liver enzymes.
Chlorophyll, a phytochemical that gives dark leafy greens their color, is the primary contributor to the nutritional profile of wheatgrass. Chlorophyll is sometimes referred to as the "blood" of plants; in humans, it has been shown to reverse the aging process, decrease hunger, cleanse the blood, fight odor, and has been associated with the prevention of cancer. It should come as no surprise that wheatgrass, which is composed of chlorophyll at a rate of 70 percent, possesses such potent properties.
However, what is crucial is not simply what it includes but also how much of it there is. Carina Parikh, MScN, MSiMR, a holistic nutritionist, points out that it has these elements "in a balanced ratio that is beneficial for the human body."
The Best Way to Include Wheatgrass in Your Everyday Routine
Wheatgrass is a powerful substance, so don't discount its potential benefits. Consuming an excessive amount of anything might make you feel sick to your stomach and give you a nauseated feeling.
When detoxing too quickly, you run the risk of experiencing adverse effects such as headaches, lethargy, and nausea, as Dr. Parikh points out.
Ease yourself into a pattern of consuming wheatgrass by beginning with one ounce per day and working your way up to two ounces per day as you go along.
Consuming wheatgrass either on an empty stomach or in combination with other fresh fruits and vegetables is recommended. It should never be ingested after a meal because doing so will cause you to feel sick to your stomach.
Prior to incorporating wheatgrass into their meals, young children, pregnant women, and the elderly should seek the advice of their respective physicians.
35 Amazing Advantages That Come From Consuming Wheatgrass
There is no other health food quite like wheatgrass. Here are thirty-five compelling arguments to make wheatgrass a regular part of your diet.
1. Diagnose and Treat Skin Conditions
Wheatgrass extract is effective in the treatment of a variety of skin conditions, including psoriasis and eczema. Even though there have not been any scientific studies done to corroborate this yet, several testimonials of wheatgrass being used in home therapies seem to suggest that this claim is true.
Wheatgrass can be applied to your skin in a variety of different ways, each of which has its own set of benefits. After pouring wheatgrass juice into a few holes in an ice cube tray and freezing it, massage a wheatgrass ice cube across any scars or damaged areas on your skin, as well as any blemishes you may have. You might also give yourself a wheatgrass bath by adding one cup of wheatgrass juice or wheatgrass powder to a warm bath and soaking for at least half an hour.
2. Make an effort to shed some pounds
Wheatgrass could be the answer to your weight loss woes if you have a few extra pounds to shed.
Selenium is essential to the thyroid gland's proper functioning, and wheatgrass is an excellent source of this mineral. A study that was published in the journal Clinical Endocrinology in 2013 found that increasing the amount of selenium in one's diet can help improve irregular thyroid function, even when the problem is linked to other conditions such as autoimmune illnesses.
If you want to keep your thyroid in good health, one of the best things you can do is drink a wheatgrass shot first thing in the morning. The thyroid is one of the natural mechanisms in your body that regulates your weight.
3. Learn to Control Your Urges to Eat
Your body won't feel the need to seek out other foods to satisfy its cravings for vitamins and minerals because wheatgrass is packed with so many of these essential nutrients already. When you're lacking in some nutrients — like magnesium, iron, or omega-3s, for example — your body may cause you to snack more frequently as it hunts for a supply of these essential minerals. According to Dr. Mike Roussell, the notion that your body searches for a specific food when you are lacking in a nutrient, such as almonds when you are magnesium-deficient, is an old wives' tale. However, studies have shown that sugar cravings can often be linked to calcium and magnesium deficiencies, according to nutritionist Caroline Pearce.
If you start the day with an empty stomach with a wheatgrass supplement (or juice shot), you may find that it curbs your appetite and prevents you from overeating during the day.
4. Detox Your Cells
Because it is both extremely alkaline and rich in nutrients, wheatgrass is an excellent tool for cleansing the body. Even while the judgment is still out on whether or not alkaline diets can actually modify the alkalinity or acidity of your blood, dietitians are in agreement that by eating an alkaline diet, we unintentionally end up eating better.
According to what Dr. Melinda Ratini said in an interview with WebMD, "the foods you are supposed to eat on the alkaline diet are excellent for you and will assist a healthy weight loss." These foods include a large quantity of fruits and vegetables as well as a large quantity of water.
A shift toward a diet that is higher in alkaline-producing foods is a smart notion no matter how you cut it. Wheatgrass is an excellent way to jumpstart the performance of your cells, particularly when combined with other alkaline foods like fruits, vegetables, and legumes.
5. Strengthen the Body's Defenses
According to Parikh, one of the most well-documented advantages of wheatgrass is that it can cause an increase in the number of red blood cells that are found in the body. This capacity makes wheatgrass an effective immune system enhancer.
Wheatgrass was found to be such an effective red blood cell booster in a research published in 2004 in the journal of Indian Pediatrics that it was able to lessen the frequency with which patients required blood transfusions.
Give your immune system a boost by getting a shot when you're at a time of year when you're more likely to catch a cold, the flu, or an infection.
6. Stimulate Circulation
Because wheatgrass has the capacity to raise the oxygen content of the blood, consuming it is an excellent choice for improving circulation.
Wheatgrass does not significantly increase the blood oxygen levels of individuals who are at rest, according to a study that was published in 2008 in the Internet Journal of Alternative Medicine. However, a follow-up study published in the same journal demonstrated that wheatgrass does increase oxygen levels when it is consumed immediately before physical activity.
To make the most of this advantage, consume a shot of wheatgrass juice just before beginning your routine form of physical activity.
7. Improve Digestion
Consider incorporating wheatgrass into your daily routine as an alternative to taking antacids for the relief of heartburn or indigestion.
According to Dr. Marc Micozzi, wheatgrass contains a number of components that can improve digestion. These components include a significant amount of fiber as well as vitamins that are part of the B complex. These vitamins improve the function of the muscles that make up the digestive system.
According to him, "in general, (B complex vitamins) help transport energy gained from food into the tissue cells, where it is needed," and he says this of all B complex vitamins. Wheatgrass includes both thiamine, which assists in the conversion of carbohydrates into energy, and riboflavin, which maintains the health of the mucosal lining of the digestive tract.
8. A Treatment for Arthritis
Wheatgrass is thought to be a good treatment for arthritis by professionals in the health care field. Patients with rheumatoid arthritis who followed a raw vegetarian diet that was high in lactobacilli saw decreased symptoms, according to a study that was published in 2012 in the International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Drug Research. The researchers concluded that nearly half of these benefits were due to the increased consumption of fermented wheat drinks, wheatgrass drinks, fiber, and iron.
It is possible that the phytochemical chlorophyll, which has been linked to the reduction of inflammation and the alleviation of joint pain, is responsible for the beneficial effects of wheatgrass in such circumstances.
9. Make people less tired
When you feel tired, it's likely because your body hasn't had enough rest and is battling with a compromised immune system as a result.
The immune system is not the only thing that gets a boost from chlorophyll; it also helps to enhance oxygen availability in the cells and tissues of your body, which contributes to cell regeneration, which helps the body recover itself and lowers symptoms of exhaustion.
According to research conducted by Ellen Tart-Jensen, Ph.D., D.Sc., chlorophyll has the ability to regenerate the adrenal glands spontaneously. Patients who suffer from chronic fatigue should provide their adrenal system as much support as possible.
10. Eliminate Your Own Body Smell
Since the 1950s, research has suggested that wheatgrass may have natural characteristics that inhibit the production of body odor. It has been suggested that consuming wheatgrass on a regular basis or applying it directly to the skin will help reduce unpleasant body odor.
Studies have not yet been able to confirm any direct correlation between the consumption of wheatgrass and a reduction in body odor; however, studies have shown that body odor is worse in those who are not consuming enough fiber. According to Kevin Wilson, ND, body odor can be a sign of poor digestion or gut health.
According to what he writes on BottomLineInc., "Particularly foul-smelling sweat may be the result of issues digesting dietary lipids, which results in a rancid stench, or a magnesium deficit, which produces a locker-room scent." Fortunately, wheatgrass benefits in each of these areas.
11. Care for Cuts and Scrapes
Wheatgrass juice has the ability to treat wounds on the skin and has been shown to hasten the healing process. Wheatgrass extract, when applied topically, was shown in a study published in the Journal of Science and Healing Outcomes in 2014 to be so effective that it was able to lessen the severity of plantar lesions in leprosy patients.
To use wheatgrass juice topically, use a cotton ball to dot the juice onto the skin, then wait a few minutes before rinsing it off and wiping the area dry with a towel. This method can be used for a variety of skin conditions.
12. Take Steps to Prevent Tooth Decay
If consumed in liquid form, wheatgrass contains natural antibacterial and antimicrobial characteristics that, when used, can improve oral health by lowering the incidence of cavities and inflammation of the gums.
This is due to the chlorophyll that is found in wheatgrass, which, according to a study that was published in 2007 in the Revista Sul-Brasileira de Odontologia, is so potent in its antimicrobial properties that it was shown to have effects on curing candida albicans. This suggests that wheatgrass may also be useful in the treatment of oral thrush.
13. Purge the liver of any toxins.
Wheatgrass is most likely most known for the effects that it has on the liver.
Wheatgrass is able to heal and regenerate the liver because of its detoxifying characteristics, minerals, and enzymes. The liver is an essential organ in the body because it processes what the body takes in. Consumption of wheatgrass was shown in a study published in the Journal of Membrane Biology in 2014 to have the potential to protect the liver against the damaging effects of alcohol.
14.Relieve a Sunburn
According to research that was conducted in 1945, not only may wheatgrass be used to cure wounds, but it can also hasten the recovery process for burns on the skin. Even while no more current scientific studies have been carried out on the topic, the large amount of anecdotal evidence around this use of wheatgrass, along with its well-documented anti-inflammatory advantages, gives us reason to expect that wheatgrass' qualities reach even further than this.
Apply a small amount of wheatgrass juice to the skin using a cotton ball and allow it to sit for a few minutes before rinsing it off and patting it dry with a towel.
15. Stabilize Lipid Levels
Since wheatgrass helps improve lipid levels, it is an excellent tool for the management of high cholesterol levels. Wheatgrass was shown to lower hyperlipidemia in rats and could be a useful weapon in the fight against high cholesterol in a study that was published in Acta Poloniae Pharmaceutica in 2011.
16. Get Rid of Your Congested Sinuses
Wheatgrass is a wonderful tool for reducing congestion since it strengthens the immune system and decreases inflammation at the same time.
Some people claim that sniffing wheatgrass juice via the nose will help clear the sinuses by drawing toxins out of the body and breaking up mucus. However, this is not something that we encourage doing. You'll be happy to know that consuming wheatgrass is an equally simple way to get these advantages.
17. Find a Cure for Your Acne
Wheatgrass is a wonderful tool for reducing acne and infrequent outbreaks because of its antibacterial properties as well as its ability to alleviate chronic inflammation.
18. Take Steps to Avoid Cancer
The ability of wheatgrass to oxygenate the blood is the source of its anti-cancer properties. Since cancer develops best in low-oxygen environments, consumption of wheatgrass may help reduce the risk of developing the disease.
In addition, according to Parikh, "Wheatgrass has enzymes that combat carcinogens and lower the hazardous load of radiation, pollution, and heavy metals."
Just keep in mind that the capability of wheatgrass to oxygenate the blood is stimulated with exercise, so make sure that you combine your favorite workout with your wheatgrass shots.
19. Find a Cure for the Common Cold
Take wheatgrass supplements to strengthen your immune system and ensure that your body is getting all of the vitamins it needs to avoid getting sick from the common cold.
If the idea of taking wheatgrass supplements throughout the entire year isn't appealing to you, you should focus on doing so during the colder months, when the likelihood of catching a cold is significantly increased.
20. Remedy for a Hangover
Because of the high alkalinity content of wheatgrass, which may neutralize the acidity produced by drinking alcohol, starting the day after a night of drinking with a glass of wheatgrass juice may be an excellent choice.
After a night of drinking, it is never a bad idea to add additional vitamins and minerals to your regular routine. This is true even if you are not sure that you can affect the alkalinity of your blood.
21. Raise Your Mood in Some Way
Wheatgrass can help enhance your mood in a number of different ways.
A research review that was published in 2014 in the Asian Journal of Pharmaceutical Technology and Innovation found that not only does it enhance the adrenal system thanks to its vitamin K and magnesium content, which in turn helps your body to better deal with stress, but it is also high in iron. According to the Mayo Clinic, a lack of iron can produce weariness, which in turn can affect mood and make a person feel blasé and unmotivated.
22. De-Stress
Wheatgrass is rich in vitamins that can effectively assist you in overcoming anxiety and achieving a better state of mental health. Additionally, wheatgrass's ability to assist in stimulating the adrenal system enables you to better manage stress.
23. Conquer Your Mood Disorders
While we frequently extol the virtues of various foods for one's physical health, it's important to remember that foods can also be beneficial to one's mental health, and not just in terms of how they affect one's mood. This was the subject of a study that was published in the Indian Journal of Psychiatry in the year 2008, and it was one of the few times that the field of nutritional science had addressed this crucial
According to the findings of the study, maintaining healthy levels of iron is extremely important for those who are afflicted with depression, and the iron that is included in wheatgrass is one way to help with this.
24. Make the Appearance of Your Nails Better
If you look at your fingernails and toenails, you can get a very decent picture of how your body is doing. Your nails may be brittle, have white patches, or have a rough texture and be yellow or blue in color due to a lack of iron in your diet or poor circulation. These are often the primary causes of these symptoms.
Wheatgrass' capacity to improve red blood cell health also improves circulation, which enables blood to reach the tips of your fingers and enlivens nails that might otherwise appear dull.
25. Find Relief from Menstrual Cramps
According to a study that was published in the American Journal of Clinical nutrition in 1981, women who were malnourished or lacked certain vitamins and minerals, in particular magnesium and niacin, were more likely to experience menstrual periods that were unpleasant and irregular.
The amount of vitamins in wheatgrass helps to fill in any gaps in your diet, making it easier for you to get through that time of the month when it comes around.
26. Treat and Prevent Inflammation of the Bowel
Wheatgrass, in addition to having anti-inflammatory properties in general, has also been shown to reduce inflammation in the gut, which has been associated to a number of disorders, including Crohn's and IBS.
27. Eliminate or Combat Infections
Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, which assists in the elimination of bacterial illnesses and restores balance to the body. It does this in a few different ways, namely by preventing inflammation in general, boosting your body's natural immunity, and containing anti-bacterial and anti-microbial chemicals. Wheatgrass is a great antidote for a wide variety of illnesses as a result of the combination of these features.
28. Slow Aging
According to a study that was published in Phytotherapy Research in 2006, the amino acid chains and antioxidants that are present in wheatgrass have the potential to assist in the repair of damaged DNA and to lessen the effect of free radicals, which are known to cause damage to essential components of our cells.
Wheatgrass supplements are an excellent way to protect yourself from a variety of health problems, including infertility, genetic abnormalities, and abnormal or accelerated aging, which can all be caused by DNA damage.
29. Defend Against Radiation
According to the findings of one study, using wheatgrass extract topically to the skin to treat acute radiation-induced skin responses was effective. According to research carried out by the United States Army, guinea pigs who were first subjected to radiation and were then fed diets high in chlorophyll had mortality rates that were approximately half as high as those of the control group.
Wheatgrass can be a beneficial tool in preventing overexposure to radiation, which is a risk we face on a daily basis due to the radiation emitted by our electronic devices, such as our iPhones and iPads.
30. Stabilize Blood Sugar Levels
In a study published in 2016 in the journal Toxicology and Industrial Health, it was discovered that wheatgrass is an effective anti-hyperglycemic drug.
The findings of the study suggested that consuming wheatgrass could be useful for people who are diabetic or who have other hyperglycemic conditions. Because of this, it is an appropriate dietary supplement for individuals who have diabetes or who are attempting to lower their blood sugar levels.
31. Give Your Mind Something to Do
Wheatgrass chlorophyll has the capacity to improve the health of red blood cells, which in turn increases the amount of oxygen that can be carried throughout the body. Oxygen is essential to the functioning of many different bodily processes, but it is particularly important for the brain, which consumes 25 percent of the oxygen supply in the body. Wheatgrass is, in every sense of the phrase, sustenance for the brain.
33. Eliminate Your Own Dandruff
Dandruff is a condition that flourishes on dry, unhealthy scalps. It has been reported by a large number of people that rinsing the hair with wheatgrass can help to restore pH balance to the scalp and ultimately repair damage to the scalp. Considering that wheatgrass has been shown to be effective in treating a variety of skin conditions, this home remedy is definitely worth a shot.
34. Improve One's Own Fertility
If you and your husband are trying to start a family, make sure that your husband also consumes a serving of wheatgrass juice in the morning.
According to Dr. Yasuo Hotta, a biologist at the University of California, San Diego, wheatgrass includes the chemical P4D1, which has an effect on sperm cells and DNA, ultimately leading to an increase in fertility. [Citation needed]
35. Train Your Taste Buds to Be More Discerning
You may wean yourself off of bad, nutrient-poor meals by adding nutrient-dense foods like wheatgrass to your diet, like it can help you do. Wheatgrass helps you avoid cravings for foods that are high in sugar, excess fat, and preservatives by balancing the pH in your body and satisfying your nutritional needs. This, in addition to developing a healthy habit, ultimately trains your taste buds to start craving healthier foods and to appreciate subtle flavors to a greater extent.
The Basics of Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is the juvenile grass that develops from the Triticum aestivum plant, which belongs to the Poaceae family and is a subspecies of the ordinary wheat plant.
Wheatgrass can be grown in the open air, but most typically it is grown indoors on trays that are filled with potting soil. In what is referred to as the "jointing stage," the leaves eventually split as a result of the growth process. It is at this stage that the wheatgrass has attained its maximum nutritious value, and the blades can be clipped off in order to make room for a second round of leaves to grow. The crop is often done when the second round reaches the point of splitting, however it is possible that there could be a third round.
Wheatgrass juice has a flavor that is frequently compared to that of grass, which means that some individuals, despite the fact that they are aware of the numerous health benefits of wheatgrass, are unable to drink it.
Wheatgrass juice can be consumed by squeezing one's nose and taking a drink of it, but fortunately, there is another option for people who find it difficult to consume wheatgrass juice. Wheatgrass can be purchased in a variety of various formats.
Wheatgrass can be dehydrated or frozen, which is then used to make a variety of supplements, including powders, capsules, and tablets. Although these products are unquestionably simpler to use, the fresh product is always going to be the superior option. It is available for purchase in stores, and one may even cultivate their own supply.
Wheatgrass that has been cut can be preserved in the refrigerator for about seven to eight days if it is kept in an airtight container. For the most possible health advantages, juice it just before you drink it.
The History of Wheatgrass and Its Many Benefits
Wheatgrass has been consumed for a very long time, dating back around 5,000 years to ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilizations. The Egyptians revered the wheatgrass green blades as sacred and valued them for the benefits they provided to one's health.
But it wasn't until the 1930s that wheatgrass started gaining popularity as a superfood in the United States. Wheatgrass was shown to be significantly more effective than other nutrient-dense plants, such as spinach, broccoli, and alfalfa, in terms of enhancing the overall health of livestock, according to research conducted by Dr. Charles Schnabel, an American agricultural chemist.
One of his most well-known research focused on the economic status and egg production of a group of 106 hens. When Schnabel first got the hens, they were weak and nearing the end of their lives. Schnabel nursed them back to health by giving them a concoction that included greens and freshly trimmed, young oat grasses. His hard work paid off on July 31, 1930, when he collected 126 eggs from 106 hens. This was a remarkable achievement, given that hens typically lay little more than one egg per day at the most.
During the 1940s, Schnabel, who is now known as the "Father of Wheatgrass," introduced a wheatgrass powder to the marketplace for the first time. By the 1950s, cereal grass tablets had established themselves as the multivitamin and mineral supplement with the highest volume of sales in the United States.
Ann Wigmore, a nutritionist of Lithuanian and American descent who advocates for the consumption of whole foods, started juicing wheatgrass in the 1950s. It is believed that Wigmore changed her hair from dark grey to jet black in her later years by means of her wheatgrass-fueled nutritional protocol; she even sent strands away to be examined, showing that her hair color was entirely natural.
In later years, Wigmore would go on to establish the Hippocrates Health Institute in Boston. There, she would teach thousands of people about the advantages of consuming wheatgrass and leading a plant-based lifestyle. She lived to the ripe old age of 84 before succumbing to smoke inhalation as the cause of her death. Today, a lot of people believe that the health benefits of wheatgrass contributed to her long life, and they want to experience those same advantages for themselves.
