Although wheatgrass is grown from grain, once sprouted, it completely transforms into a vegetable. Sprouts are formed when seeds begin to grow into vegetables. Because wheatgrass is harvested while still a sprout and not a grain, it is compatible even for individuals with gluten allergies. There are more than 3,800 nutrients identified in food groups — and wheatgrass is esteemed because of the balance of nutrients it possesses. This nutrient balance makes wheatgrass a complete food. We will now take a look at the composition of this versatile food and how its nutrients can benefit the body.
Fiber
Since the 1970s, scientists have realized the importance of fiber in the daily diet as a means of disease prevention and health maintenance. Insoluble fiber — fiber that is not water soluble — is recognized for its ability to restore and maintain bowel regularity. It can also be an important source of food energy. High-fat, low-fiber diets, which are generally maintained by individuals of Western industrialized countries, seem to greatly contribute to widespread illnesses such as coronary heart diseases and cancer. According to a 2008 report from Circulation, the journal of the American Heart Association, “The typical Western diet — fried foods, salty snacks, and meat — accounts for about 30 percent of heart attack risks across the world.” The typical American diet provides only about 12 grams of the recommended daily intake of 20 to 35 grams of fiber. Most dietary fiber comes from fruit and vegetables, dried peas, beans, and other legumes and grains. The outer layer of the grain contains the most fiber, and unfortunately, this layer is removed during the refining process. Five grams of dehydrated wheatgrass contains about 2 grams of insoluble vegetable fiber, which is helpful for cleansing the digestive tract and promoting good colon health. Beans, fruit, and dark, leafy vegetables are examples of other foods that contain fiber.
Protein
The human body is composed of about 60 percent water, and of the remaining 40 percent, protein accounts for the greatest percentage. Protein, made up of amino acids, is a part of every cell, muscle, tissue, and bone. Protein builds the body and is important for all body functions. It strengthens the immune system and helps the body to prevent and overcome diseases. It provides the enzymes needed for digestion and metabolism. It helps with the production of healthy hair and skin. Proteins can be complete, and derived from animal foods such as chicken and fish, or incomplete, and derived from beans and peas. Incomplete protein can be made complete when paired with plant foods such as grains, seeds, nuts, and vegetables. There are about 25 grams of protein per 100 grams of wheatgrass powder. This compares to 2.86 grams of protein in 100 grams of spinach and 2.98 grams for every 100 grams of broccoli. Appropriate amounts of wheatgrass can provide the body with about 25 percent of the daily recommended amount of protein.
Vitamins
Vitamins are organic molecules that play various roles within the body, mainly working as cofactors for enzymatic reactions. Because they cannot be created by the body, vitamins must be supplied by an outside source. According to the FDA, there are currently 13 vitamins essential for preventing nutrient deficiency and maintaining good health. Other nutrients, such as choline (a nutrient in the B vitamin family), have also been identified as beneficial to human health but whose dietary allowance has not yet been established. As there are possibly more unknown vitamins, researchers and health practitioners recommend eating a variety of foods to gain optimal nutrition.
Vitamins alone cannot cure a disease. They cannot sustain life or restore potency. They benefit the body through their ability to make the carbohydrates, fats, and proteins in the food available for use as energy. Although vitamins can be purchased as supplements through pharmaceutical companies, the most beneficial vitamins for our bodies are the ones found in high-quality foods. Wheatgrass contains each of the essential vitamins that the body needs, and these vitamins can be easily absorbed into the system through the consumption of wheatgrass juice. The following vitamins are found naturally in wheatgrass.
Vitamin A — beta-carotene
Beta-carotene is an antioxidant compound in plants that protects DNA from cancer-causing substances. It is also a processor of vitamin A. Vitamin A is an important nutrient for vision, cell division and differentiation, bone growth, and reproduction. Vitamin A also benefits the urinary and intestinal tracts, the respiratory system, and the surface linings of the eyes. One hundred grams of whole leaf dehydrated wheatgrass contain 513 IUs of beta-carotene compared to the 178 IUs of beta-carotene in chicken.
Vitamin B group
The B group vitamins are known as a complex family because they occur together in natural sources and work best when they are together. These vitamins are water soluble — able to be dissolved in water or another solvent — and can be easily eliminated from the body or destroyed through meal preparation or food storage. Because they are not stored in the body, they must be added daily. The B group vitamins convert carbohydrates, help metabolize protein and fats, and help the nervous system to function properly. All eight of the B group vitamins can be found in wheatgrass. The following are the individual vitamins within the B group:
Vitamin B1 — thiamine
Vitamin B1, or thiamine, encourages growth and strengthens the heart muscle. It also helps with the conversion of carbohydrates into glucose, providing energy. It aids digestion, helping to overcome constipation, and helps with the manufacturing of urine. B1 works to assist the functioning of the nervous system. It helps the body to maintain its normal blood cell count, promotes healthy skin, and improves circulation. It helps reduce fatigue, increase stamina, and increase mental alertness. Wheatgrass contains 0.350 mg of thiamine per 100 grams of dehydrated grass.
Vitamin B2 — riboflavin
Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, is important for proper cell growth and general body health. It works with the enzymes that are responsible for the metabolism of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates. It helps with digestion, keeps the nervous system functioning, and maintains body tissues. B2 helps prevent constipation and promotes healthy nails, hair, and skin. B2 is important for cell respiration and red blood cell formation. It is also important for good eye health and helps the body to use oxygen properly. Wheatgrass has a high riboflavin content — 16.9 mg per 100 grams compared to the 0.119 mg in broccoli and 0.189 mg in spinach. Because riboflavin is light sensitive, it is best to keep wheatgrass products in opaque containers, and you should drink wheatgrass immediately upon juicing to benefit from the riboflavin content.
Vitamin B3 — niacin
Vitamin B3, or niacin, plays a key role in cell restoration and also works to release energy and metabolize carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. It helps with the maintenance of the gastrointestinal tract and is important for healthy skin, as it promotes good blood circulation. B3 is also important for the synthesis of estrogen, testosterone, progesterone, and insulin. It also helps the nervous system. There is 8.35 mg of niacin per 100 grams of wheatgrass compared to the 0.638 mg in broccoli and the 0.724 mg in spinach. The recommended daily allowance (RDA) of niacin is 14 mg for adult women and 16 mg for adult men.
Vitamin B5 — pantothenic acid
Vitamin B5, or pantothenic acid, works with the enzymes responsible for the metabolism of proteins, fat, and carbohydrates and the synthesis of fatty acids and amino acids. It also helps with forming porphyrin, the pigment structure of hemoglobin. B5 helps produce the adrenal hormones and protects against toxins and physical and mental stress. It also helps the body ward off infection and decreases recovery time from illnesses. B5 helps with the development and maintenance of the central nervous system and protects against radiation and premature aging. There are 0.750 mg of pantothenic per 100 grams of wheatgrass compared to the 0.535 mg in broccoli and 0.065 mg in spinach. Consuming wheatgrass can aid blood circulation and help with sicknesses.
Vitamin B6 — pyridoxine
Vitamin B6, or pyridoxine, is needed for proper food assimilation as well as the metabolism of protein and fat. It is involved in the production of antibodies, which protect the body from bacterial diseases. It activates enzyme systems and aids in the proper function of the brain and nervous system. B6 prevents skin and nerve disorders and guards against high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and heart disease. B6 plays a key role in the reproductive process and is important for healthy pregnancies. Vitamin B6 regulates the balance between potassium and sodium and is needed for the production of magnesium. B6 also helps the body absorb vitamin B12. Vitamin B6 is good for the treatment of hemorrhoids, convulsions, insomnia, diabetes, stress, pregnancy-induced morning sickness, and tooth decay. Although plants are not a major source of pyridoxine, dehydrated wheatgrass contains 1.4 mg per 100 grams of wheatgrass compared to the 0.159 grams in broccoli and 0.195 grams in spinach.
Biotin
Biotin, another member of the vitamin B complex, is needed for the metabolism of protein, fats, and carbohydrates. It is also needed to transfer carbon dioxide. Biotin is essential for the production of niacin (Vitamin B3), antibodies, digestive enzymes, fatty acids, and the maintenance of the immune system. It is helpful for the treatment of muscle pain and depression. It is helpful for good hair growth and prevents premature graying. It helps control color pigment distribution and maintains the skin and nervous system. One teaspoon of dehydrated wheatgrass, which is about 3.5 grams, contains 4 mcg (micrograms) of biotin.
Vitamin B9 — folic acid
Folic acid and folate are paired together. Folic acid (along with vitamin B12) helps with the manufacturing of nerve transmitters and the formation and division of all body cells. It produces RNA and DNA, which are important for establishing hereditary patterns, and helps with protein metabolism. Folic acid helps with the production of antibodies and is important for the hair and skin. Folic acid is essential for a healthy pregnancy and infancy. Folate helps produce and maintain body cells and helps protect against cancer. There are 29 mcg of folic acid per 100 grams of wheatgrass juice. Dehydrated wheatgrass contains 1,110 mcg of folate per 100 grams compared to the 71 mcg in broccoli and 194.4 mcg in spinach.
Vitamin B17 — laetrile/amygdalin
Laetrile is the trade name for a substance allegedly synthesized and patented by Dr. Ernest Krebs, Jr., a California biochemist, for treating “disorders of intestinal fermentation.” Laetrile is chemically related to amygdalin, a water-soluble compound naturally found in whole foods, fruit seeds, beans, and grass. B17 has been claimed by Dr. Krebs and other proponents to nullify cancer cells while strengthening the immune system. This topic has brought about much debate in the United States and has not been approved as a cancer treatment by the FDA. Wheatgrass is a natural source of B17.
Choline — lecithin
Choline is not officially a B vitamin, but it is often placed in the category because of the role it performs in the body. Choline controls the build-up of fat and cholesterol, especially in the liver. It is an essential vitamin, responsible for the manufacturing of acetylcholine, an essential neurotransmitter in the nervous system. Wheatgrass juice contains 92.4 mg of choline per 100 grams of juice. It is a useful cleansing aid for the body.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C is an essential antioxidant that aids wound healing and strengthens the body’s resistance to infection. Adequate intake can effectively lower the risk of developing various cancers by discharging free radicals before they destroy DNA in cells and initiate tumor growth. Dehydrated wheatgrass contains 214.5 mg of vitamin C per 100 grams of wheatgrass compared to the 93.2 mg in broccoli and 28.1 mg in spinach.
Vitamin E
There are eight different forms of vitamin E, each having its own specific function in the body. Alphatocopherol, the most active form, is highly present in wheatgrass. As an antioxidant, vitamin E effectively guards the cells from free radicals. Free radicals, by-products of metabolism, could be potentially damaging. Vitamin E also keeps vitamin A and essential fatty acids from oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that occurs when a substance interacts with oxygen. It can cause a loss of vitamins in food and the food to look and taste bad. Oxidation can also produce toxins that cause food poisoning. Vitamin E keeps body tissues intact. Dehydrated wheatgrass contains 9.1 mg of vitamin E per 100 grams compared to the 1.66 mg of broccoli and 1.89 mg of spinach.
Vitamin K
The body uses vitamin K to produce thrombin and liver proteins responsible for blood clotting. Vitamin K is also involved in the formation and repair of bone marrow. It is claimed that wheatgrass supplies the body with 60 percent of the RDA of vitamin K. If so, then wheatgrass treatment can be successfully applied to nosebleeds, hemorrhaging, and osteoporosis.
Minerals and Trace Minerals
Sixteen minerals, compounds found in the soil, have been identified by nutrition scientists as necessary for life. Minerals are essential for good health, playing a major role in several metabolic functions. Minerals needed in vast quantities, such as calcium and magnesium, are classified as macro minerals. Other minerals, only needed in small amounts, are classified as trace minerals. Minerals are needed to generate electrical impulses, transport nerve messages, and maintain the proper balance of fluids and body chemicals. Mineral supplements are not generally recommended due to the toxins that can accumulate if too many are consumed over long periods of time. The Expert Group of Vitamins and Minerals — an independent advisory group in the United Kingdom — was created in 1998 to determine the safety of long-term use of vitamin and mineral supplements sold under food law. In their 2003 report “Safe Upper Levels for Vitamins and Minerals,” they recommended Safe Upper Levels (safe maximum dosage levels) for eight of the 34 substances assessed and issued usage guidance for 22 substances. In addition, herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA, as are conventional medicines and foods. Therefore, it is important to use precaution when considering usage of these substances. A properly balanced diet can provide all of the essential minerals that the body needs. Many of the minerals found in wheatgrass are significant parts of enzymes, responsible for chemical reactions in the body. Wheatgrass also contains mineral salts that can be used to help guard the body of insufficiencies and keep the teeth and bones strong. The macro minerals and trace minerals in wheatgrass are as follows:
• Boron: The trace mineral boron plays an important role in brain activity, especially in cognitive function, hand-eye coordination, and memory enhancement. Clinical studies reveal that boron can significantly delay the onset of calcium deficiency and reduce or alleviate the symptoms of arthritis.
• Calcium: Calcium works in the body to aid enzyme activity. It helps with blood clotting, speeding the amount of time it takes to heal wounds, and it is important for muscle contraction. Calcium works with phosphorus to aid the prevention of osteoporosis. There are 321 mg of calcium per 100 grams of dehydrated wheatgrass compared to the 48 mg of broccoli and 99 mg of spinach.
• Chromium: Chromium can prevent diabetes, as it works with insulin in the metabolism of blood sugar. It also helps to stabilize blood pressure. Chromium in wheatgrass works to distribute protein to various parts of the body. There are about 210 mg of chromium per 100 grams of dehydrated wheatgrass.
• Cobalt: Cobalt is an essential mineral that helps the body to produce vitamin B12. Cobalt and vitamin B12 work together to build red blood cells, aiding in the repair of pernicious anemia and the myelin sheath — the membrane surrounding a nerve fiber. Pernicious anemia occurs when there is a decrease in red blood cells due to a lack of vitamin B12. One teaspoon of dehydrated wheatgrass (3.5 grams) contains about 1.7 mcg of cobalt.
• Copper: Copper helps with iron absorption, increasing energy levels in the body. Copper is also necessary for the assimilation of vitamin C and for converting iron into hemoglobin. There are about 0.375 mg of copper in 100 grams of dehydrated wheatgrass.
• Iodine: Iodine, connected with thyroid hormones, is important for healthy reproduction. Adequate amounts of iodine will help the body to burn fat, providing greater energy. Iodine is also important for healthy skin, hair, nails, and teeth. One dry teaspoon of wheatgrass contains about 8 mcg of iodine.
• Iron: Iron is essential for the metabolism of the B group vitamins. It aids growth and helps the body to resist infection. It also helps eliminate fatigue and is essential for the production of myoglobin, the red pigment in muscle and blood cells. Iron also has the important role of transporting oxygen through the blood to the various cells throughout the body. Copper, cobalt, manganese, and vitamin C are necessary for iron to metabolize in the body. One fluid ounce of wheatgrass contains about 0.1729 mg of iron.
• Magnesium: Magnesium aids in muscle contraction and the building of bone and is needed by the body for the transfer of nerve impulses. It is also essential for the conversion of stored blood sugar into energy, helping the body to better deal with emotional and physical stress. One fluid ounce of wheatgrass contains about 6.804 mg of magnesium.
• Manganese: Manganese helps with the building of bone and is needed to manufacture thyroxine, the main hormone of the thyroid gland. Manganese also aids muscle reflexes, improves memory, and reduces nervous irritability. One hundred dry grams of wheatgrass contains about 2.45 mg of manganese.
• Molybdenum: Molybdenum helps with the assimilation of iron. It also protects against cancers of the stomach and esophagus by detoxifying harmful chemicals in the body. Molybedum works with the metabolism of carbohydrates and fats and is effective in preventing tooth decay. One hundred dry grams of wheatgrass contains about 73 mcg of molybdenum.
• Phosphorus: Phosphorus works with the B group vitamins, helping the body to use energy from starches and fats. Phosphorus also helps to regulate the heart and allows the kidneys to function. Phosphorus is effective in reducing the pain associated with arthritis. One fluid ounce of wheatgrass contains about 21.3192 mg of phosphorus.
• Potassium: Potassium balances body acids and water and helps with the function of muscles and nerves. It works with sodium to regulate blood pressure and heartbeat. One fluid ounce of wheatgrass juice contains about 41.6745 mg of potassium.
• Selenium: Selenium works as an antioxidant enzyme in the body. It protects the cells from the negative effects of free radicals formed during the metabolism of oxygen. Dehydrated wheatgrass contains 2.5 mcg of selenium per 100 grams of wheatgrass. This compares to the 3 mcg of selenium in broccoli and the 1 mcg of selenium found in spinach.
• Sodium: Sodium is the major moderator of the body’s water and mineral balance. It strengthens the heartbeat and helps with the functioning of all nerves and muscles. One fluid ounce of wheatgrass contains 2.9201 mg of sodium.
• Sulfur: Sulfur helps regulates oxygen, which is important for proper brain function. It also helps fight off bacterial infections and is essential for building collagen, protein, and certain amino acids. There are 445 mg of sulfur per 100 grams of dried wheatgrass.
• Zinc: Zinc helps the immune system to function properly. It exists in every cell and is essential for the healing of wounds. Zinc promotes the activity of enzymes and is also needed for the synthesis of DNA. One fluid ounce of wheatgrass contains about 0.0936 mg of zinc.
Amino Acids
Amino acids are essential for life and perform many roles in the process of metabolism. They are, essentially, the building blocks of protein and can be joined together to form a variety of proteins. Each protein is a distinct linear chain of amino acids. Amino acids are a part of the enzyme and hormonal system. Due to their vital role in biochemistry, amino acids are essential for proper nutrition.
Apart from water, protein is the most plentiful nutrient in the body, making up more than 50 percent of the body’s dry cellular weight. The key function of protein is to build and maintain tissues in the body. Amino acids work together with enzymes to renew cells and produce blood, muscles, and organs. The eight essential amino acids are isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine. Additionally, arginine and histidine are necessary for infants. The body actually needs 20 different amino acids, but it is able to produce the others from the essential eight. Amino acids must be obtained from food and play an important role in digestion and the assimilation of food. Amino acids help the body to build a strong immunity against disease and aid in the healing of wounds. Amino acids also help with liver function and regulate mental awareness. It is important for the body to have all eight essential amino acids for it to function optimally. Wheatgrass contains the eight essential amino acids as well as several others. There are 25 grams of protein per 100 grams of dehydrated wheatgrass compared to the 2.98 grams of protein in broccoli and the 2.86 grams of protein in spinach.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are a collection of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and enzymes. The body produces waste products during normal metabolism that have active atoms attached. These “free radicals” can create major problems in the body if left unchecked. Antioxidants work to offset the effects of free radicals by reducing cell mutations, artery damage, and other degenerative changes. Vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin C, and vitamin E are antioxidants found in wheatgrass. Other antioxidants in wheatgrass are described in the following sections.
Chlorophyll
Chlorophyll is a blood-cleansing agent. It also detoxifies and regenerates the liver. It can be used as an effective antibody and acts to strengthen the cells. Wheatgrass contains many active compounds of chlorophyll effective in blood cleansing by digesting toxins in blood cells.
Scientists have discovered chlorophyll to be an effective catalyst in the detoxification, deodorizing, and healing of wounds. Although it is strong enough to detox the wounds by acting as an antiseptic, or germ-killer, it is also gentle enough to stimulate the repair of damaged tissues. Chlorophyll reduces swelling and has been found effective in healing peptic ulcers. Chlorophyll deodorizes wounds by eliminating any odors associated with them. Chlorophyll also promotes bowel regularity.
In the 1950s, a variety of products were designed using chlorophyll as an active ingredient. Not only were food products produced, but items such as shoe liners, toilet paper, napkins, and chewing gum could also be purchased to benefit from chlorophyll.
In 1980, Dr. Chiu-Nan Lai, of the University of Texas Medical Center, discovered that extracts of wheatgrass and other green vegetables nullified the damaging effects of two carcinogens, methylcholanthrene and benzopyrene. He observed that the amount of protection increased with the amount of chlorophyll present in the vegetables.
Bioflavonoids
Bioflavonoids are a group of antioxidants found naturally in plants. These compounds work with other antioxidants to provide protection for the body. Several clinical studies have revealed the ability of bioflavonoids to protect the supply of vitamin C in the body. They are also noted for their anticarcinogenic, antimutagenic, and anti-aging properties. Wheatgrass is a good source of bioflavonoids and works to help strengthen blood vessels and tissues.
Linoleic acid
Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a polyunsaturated fatty acid with close chemical make-up to linolenic acid. This antioxidant potentially possesses tremendous anticarcinogenic and anti-diabetic properties. It benefits the immune system and encourages lean muscle mass. There are 0.45 grams of linoleic acid per 100 grams of wheatgrass.
Lysine
Lysine, a genetically coded amino acid, is vital for good nutrition. Lysine is necessary for body growth and is helpful for balancing nitrogen in the body. It also helps with anti-aging. There are about 10.4 mg of lysine per fluid ounce of wheatgrass.
P4D1
P4D1 performs two important functions in the human body: It works to repair DNA molecules, creating the reproduction of disease-free cells, and it also strips the protein sheath off cancer cells so that white blood cells can attack and destroy them. Because of its P4D1 content, using wheatgrass can be helpful for inflammation reduction.
Peroxidase
Peroxidase is an antioxidant that detoxifies the body by eliminating hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide is a natural by-product of oxygen metabolism. Peroxidase also provides protection for the aqueous membrane of cells. Adding wheatgrass to the diet helps boost the detoxifying effects of peroxidase.
Superoxide dismutase
Young grasses, such as wheatgrass, are an excellent source of the powerful antioxidant, superoxide dismutase (SOD). SOD presents a defense against the free radical damage of red blood cells and works to eliminate radiation damage in cells. SOD has been useful in the treatment of bladder inflammation and osteoarthritis (joint arthritis). It is also an anti-aging enzyme. Consuming wheatgrass juice will increase the blood levels of SOD, which is helpful for the treatment of arthritis and useful for cancer prevention. One gram of wheatgrass contains about 1,420 units of SOD.
Essential Fatty Acids
Essential fatty acids are fats or organic acids that the body needs but cannot produce itself. These fats are retrieved from the diet and perform as fuel for energy production. Essential fatty acids are needed to produce and repair cell membranes. They also support the immune system as well as the nervous system and reproductive and cardiovascular systems. Two essential fatty acids are found in wheatgrass. Linoleic acid performs as an antioxidant and was described in the previous section. Linolenic acid, the other fatty acid, is described in the following section.
Linolenic acid
Linolenic acid (ALA) is an omega-3 fatty acid, an essential fatty acid vital to human health. ALA is not produced physically, so it must be obtained from food sources. Once ALA is ingested, it is converted into DHA and EPA, two forms of omega-3 that are more readily assimilated by the body. These essential fatty acids exist in high concentrations in the brain and are essential for cognitive and behavioral function. Omega-3 fatty acids help reduce inflammation and swelling and are useful in the prevention of arthritis and heart disease. Wheatgrass juice is a natural source of omega-3, containing about 3.17 grams of linolenic acid per 100 grams of wheatgrass.
The Grass Juice Factor
The Grass Juice Factor is found in all cereal grasses. It has its own identity and cannot be grouped with any other nutrient. It has had powerful growth and fertility effects in experiments on animals through the years. Clinical and research evidence relayed by Dr. Chris Reynolds, of the University of Western Australia, and George Kohler has revealed the Grass Juice Factor to have a powerful effect on the body. It can stimulate growth, correct nutritional deficiencies, regenerate damaged skin, and prevent early death in plant-eating animals.
Wheatgrass: An Acquired Taste
The typical diet of today consists of an abundance of overcooked, over-seasoned, and over-processed foods. These foods also contain excessive amounts of sugars, corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners. We are not accustomed to eating cereal grasses, and for the most part, our taste buds do not find them palatable. Not many people actually care for the taste of grass. Wheatgrass, in particular, delivers a super-sweet taste that many individuals find quite odious.
Some avid wheatgrass users never get used to the taste of wheatgrass. Perhaps you fall into this category, or perhaps you enjoy the taste. If you want to consume wheatgrass and cannot seem to acquire a taste for it, you are not alone. The following are some suggestions for how to get the nutritious, but dreaded, dosage down:
• Guzzle it down with a nose clamp pinning your nostrils tightly shut.
• Wash it down with a few ounces of lemon juice.
• Suck on a lemon or tart candy immediately after consuming.
• Munch on a slice of apple or other favorite fruit after consuming.
• While drinking, meditate on how good it is for you.
• Hold your breath.
• Sip it slowly and allow the saliva to mix with the juice to dilute it. This is actually recommended by many wheatgrass growers for lightening the taste.
• Gulp it quickly.
• Have a quick drink of cold water immediately following.
• Start with a small amount and build your way up to a larger dose.
• Freeze the juice with a little lemon and have a wheatgrass ice pop.
• Mix it with other green vegetable juice to balance the flavor. Celery is a good match.
• Add a pinch of garlic powder or ginger powder to the dose to subdue the taste. Cayenne pepper also helps and is good for circulation.
• Have a bit of honey after consuming.
• Grow your own so you can experiment with the taste.
Ways to consume wheatgrass
Shot of wheatgrass with fruit
to disguise the taste.
The best way to obtain the full nutritional benefits of wheatgrass, especially the live enzymes, is to juice it yourself and drink the juice within minutes of juicing. You can also purchase wheatgrass juice from an organic juice bar where they will juice the wheatgrass for you. Some people enjoy chewing the raw grass as opposed to juicing it. This is convenient and requires no equipment. Because only a small amount of the juice is being extracted per mouthful and is mixed with the saliva, the taste may not be as strong as drinking the fresh squeezed juice. It takes about eight mouthfuls of grass to accumulate two ounces of juice. As wheatgrass is a fibrous plant, chewing enough of the grass to significantly benefit the body can be a challenge.
For those who still find it difficult to down the potent juice, consuming wheatgrass tablets and capsules is a convenient alternative. Wheatgrass tablets and capsules are usually easy to swallow and do have some nutritional benefits; although, depending on the manufacturing process, the beneficial enzymes are not likely to remain completely intact. Remember to purchase tablets from a reputable source that sells the product as a nutritious whole food and not as an inclusion in a synthetic multi-vitamin. Inquire before you purchase. Tablets should be green vegetable nutrition that assimilates easily into the bloodstream. Also, check the package to determine which ingredients are contained in the product. Wheatgrass added in small amounts to ordinary vitamin tablets is of little value.
Another way to consume wheatgrass is to purchase wheatgrass powder. The popularity of grass cereal powders can be attributed to the work of Japanese physician Yoshihide Hagiwara. His goal in the 1900s was to make green foods easily accessible. Today, dried wheatgrass juice can be purchased as a concentrate. Often, the manufacturing process retains most of the nutrients and, depending on the method of extraction, some of the enzymes. There are a variety of ways to dehydrate wheatgrass such as spray-dried, drum-dried, or freeze-dried. There is also a difference between whole leaf powders (the grass was dried and then powdered) and juice powders (the grass is juiced and the juice is dried). The nutrient content of the powder depends on the drying method. A good quality powder has had minimum exposure to water, light, heat, and oxygen in the dehydration process. If enzyme presence (such as SOD) is included in the product, chances are the product has undergone a high-quality extraction. The powder can be mixed with water or other raw juices, such as celery or parsley juice, and conveniently consumed.
Frozen wheatgrass juice can also be purchased in local health food stores or online. Ask your juice retailer whether the juice has been treated with ultraviolet radiation or whether it was pasteurized. Both of these processes would be harmful to the nutrients. Otherwise, the nutrients are protected by the freezing. Frozen juice can be thawed and quickly consumed by adding water or orange juice. Keep in mind, however, that in order to gain the maximum benefit from wheatgrass, it is best to consume the liquid juice alone, freshly squeezed, and on an empty stomach. According to Wigmore and other wheatgrass experts, this is the best way for the nutrients of the wheatgrass to assimilate into the bloodstream.
Improving the flavor
Although wheatgrass has numerous good qualities, many would agree that taste is not one of them. The juice may be consumed in small doses, but many individuals still find the taste unappealing and the juice a chore to consume. If this is a problem for you, it might be helpful to add an additional flavor, such as lemon, to the wheatgrass to improve its taste. A touch of lemon — or other natural flavor — will not diminish the benefits of the grass.
There are a number of nutritional drink companies that offer wheatgrass as a main ingredient in their line of smoothies. As the taste of wheatgrass juice can be overpowering, you might have an easier time ingesting the wheatgrass if you cannot see it, smell it, or taste it.
You can also add the wheatgrass to a homemade fruit smoothie. Blend your favorite fruit with plain yogurt, wheatgrass juice, and a few ice cubes. You can also combat the sweetness of the wheatgrass juice by adding other juices to the dosage. Celery juice makes a good addition, as the sodium in the celery will balance the sweetness of the wheatgrass. Garlic can also be grated and added to the juice. If you do not care for celery or garlic, add your favorite fruit juice. Combining wheatgrass with other drinks, especially fruit-filled smoothies, can retard the assimilation of the grass nutrients into the bloodstream. This may diminish the benefits of the nutrients. Some would argue that it is better to take wheatgrass disguised than not to take it at all. If you are taking wheatgrass for therapeutic purposes, however, it is best to consume the wheatgrass by itself.
Other taste concerns
The taste of wheatgrass can be affected by a variety of factors. Different soil conditions can alter the taste of the grass. Location can also be a factor, as can the time of harvest. The following are some conditions that could potentially affect the taste:
• The taste of wheatgrass is often most unbearable when the grass is grown indoors. Sometimes indoor-grown grass breeds mold, and the mold affects the flavor of the wheatgrass. Wheatgrass with mold can taste bitter. Wheatgrass and mold will be discussed further in Chapter 5.
• The roots of indoor trays have limited space and the narrow blades provide less surface for photosynthesis to take place. This can account for the concentrated sweet taste of the indoor-grown tray grass. Wheatgrass grown hydroponically (without soil) or outdoors has a milder taste. Chapter 5 will discuss hydroponic growing. Chapters 5 and 6 will discuss growing outdoors.
• Different soil types have different nutrients. Wheatgrass grown in acidic soil can have a sharper taste than that grown in alkaline soil.
• The time of the harvest can affect the taste of the wheatgrass. After the jointing stage, the wheatgrass begins to mature and the nutrients transfer from the grass blades to the developing seed. If the wheatgrass is harvested after it begins to mature, it might taste bitter. The time to harvest the wheatgrass is right at the jointing stage, when the second blade grows out of the shaft. The entire tray should be cut at the same time. Harvested wheatgrass can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week without losing its taste or value. If you are purchasing a tray of wheatgrass from a health-food store and the blades are yellow or not green, chances are the grass has been sitting in the store too long. The taste of this grass will be bitter.
• If you have purchased a shot of wheatgrass from a local juice bar and the juice tastes bitter, the grass may have been harvested too late. Wheatgrass juice should not taste old or bitter. It should have a fresh, sweet taste.
Dosages
Wheatgrass is a balanced food and its nutrients cannot be separated. Therefore, wheatgrass is not toxic at any dosage. As a potent detoxifier, however, it can cause a slight physical reaction, such as headache or nausea, in some individuals. Nausea might also be caused by the high sugar content of the grass. Therefore, wheatgrass should not be consumed in great quantities initially. If drinking cereal grasses is new to you, you should begin by consuming a small amount and build up to a larger quantity over time. As the grass could have a cleansing reaction on the body (loose bowels), it is best to make a gentle start.
Individuals new to the world of wheatgrass drinking should start by consuming one to two tablespoons a day. After a week, one ounce of juice per day can be consumed. After two weeks, this dosage can be increased to two ounces per day. You should aim to consume two one-ounce servings per day, with each taken at different times during the day. A typical dosage of wheatgrass is about 3.5 grams of wheatgrass powder (one teaspoon) or a one-ounce shot of wheatgrass juice.
Two shots of organic
wheatgrass.
This dosage can be safely consumed by all adults, no matter their weight or blood type. Children can also benefit from drinking wheatgrass and can begin as early as six months depending on their eating level, according to Pam Nees, program director of Optimum Health Institute (www.optimumhealth.org). Wheatgrass juice given to children should be mixed with water or fruit juices. Breastfed babies can also benefit from wheatgrass through their mother’s consumption. More about wheatgrass and children can be found in Chapter 8. Those interested in wheatgrass consumption during pregnancy can find information in Chapter 3. Remember to consult with an appropriate health professional if you wish to try wheatgrass but have specific physical conditions.
Ideally, wheatgrass juice should be consumed on an empty stomach and digested for 20 to 30 minutes before eating to give the nutrients a chance to assimilate into the bloodstream and begin working. Consuming it on an empty stomach will also prevent the wheatgrass from clashing with undigested foods. Feelings of nausea, however, can be assuaged by sipping a fruit juice — preferably raw — immediately after consuming the wheatgrass juice.
For most people, one to two ounces of wheatgrass per day is sufficient for maintaining good health. Individuals taking wheatgrass to treat a disease will often ingest larger doses. Four to eight ounces or more can be taken orally or as a wheatgrass implant. An implant refers to several ounces of fresh wheatgrass juice inserted and retained in the rectum for a period of time. This is done in conjunction with colon cleansing and will be discussed further in Chapter 3.
When consuming wheatgrass regularly, your body will eventually adjust to the properties and you will be able to consume it without feelings of nausea or light-headedness. As with any herb or supplement, taking wheatgrass continuously, day after day, without a break, can diminish its effectiveness as a healing agent. Be certain to abstain from ingesting for a day or two every few days if you are consuming wheatgrass on a long-term basis.
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Case Study: Wheatgrass Controversy — “Grass is For Cows” |
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Stephen Barrett, M.D., board member National Council Against Health Fraud (NCAHF) |
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Wheatgrass Therapy The notion that wheatgrass can benefit serious disease sufferers was conceived by Ann Wigmore, a Boston-area resident. Wigmore (1909-1994) was born in Lithuania and raised by her grandmother who, according to Wigmore, gave her an unwavering confidence in the healing power of nature. Wigmore believed in astrology and described herself (a Pisces) as a dreamer who saw life from the spiritual viewpoint to the neglect of the physical. Wigmore's theory on the healing power of grasses was predicated upon the biblical story of Babylonian king Nebuchadnezzar who spent seven insane years living like a wild animal eating the grass of the fields. Because he recovered, Wigmore presumed that the grasses had cured his insanity. Wigmore wrote at least 15 books and established the Hippocrates Health Institute in 1963, which later was renamed the Ann Wigmore Institute (AWI). Wigmore claimed to have a doctor of divinity (DD) from the College of Divine Metaphysics in Indianapolis. She also listed a doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.) and a doctor of naturopathy (ND) degree at different times, none of which appear to have been from accredited schools. Among other things, Wigmore also promoted “natural hygiene,” spiritual healing, zone therapy, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, color therapy, and spot therapy. A number of “living foods” groups around the world espouse Wigmore’s teachings. The fact that grass-eating animals are not spared from cancer, despite their large intake of fresh chlorophyll, seems to have been lost on Wigmore. In fact, chlorophyll cannot “detoxify the body” because it is not absorbed. Although it is conceivable that enzymes present in rectally administered wheatgrass juice could have chemical activity, there is no evidence that this is beneficial. In fact, when challenged legally, Wigmore backed away from healing claims stating that she merely had an “educational program” to teach people how to “cleanse” their bodies and make vegetable juices, as she also offered for sale a variety of juicers and other “health” paraphernalia. In 1988, the Massachusetts Attorney General sued Wigmore for claiming that her “energy enzyme soup” could cure AIDS. Suffolk County Judge Robert A. Mulligan ruled that Wigmore’s views on how to combat AIDS were protected by the First Amendment, but he ordered her to stop representing herself as a physician or person licensed in any way to treat disease. This was not the first time Wigmore had run afoul of the law. In 1982, the Massachusetts Attorney General sued Wigmore for claiming that her program could reduce or eliminate the need for insulin in diabetics and could obviate the need for routine immunization in children. She abandoned those claims after losing in court. Answers to Questions about Wheatgrass Therapy Question: What is responsible for the reported “rush” that users report? |
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NCAHF: There is no pharmacological reason why a user should experience a “rush.” Possible explanations include the placebo effect (i.e., enthusiasm for the therapy) and route of administration (i.e., rectal applications may produce a “goosing" effect). Question: Why do people report that they are better following use of wheatgrass therapy? NCAHF: Because there is no scientific evidence that the therapy is effective, such reports could either be due to: • Natural changes in the symptoms people experience • The placebo effect mentioned above • Wishful thinking on the part of the desperate • Lying by people who have a financial interest • Something else that the patient is doing — especially if her or she is using psychoactive drugs, such as herbal uppers or downers Question: Is wheatgrass therapy intrinsically dangerous? NCAHF: Not in the wheatgrass itself, but attendant risks include: • It can result in perforation of the bowel during enema tube insertion. This can introduce infectious agents into the bloodstream. • It is possible that “organically grown” wheatgrass plants could become contaminated by soil constituents. Question: Does NCAHF oppose the use of wheatgrass therapy? If so, why? NCAHF: NCAHF opposes the use of all false or unproven remedies. This is because: • We object to cheating people for money. • It can divert patients from more responsible care. • It can create false hope that eventually leads to greater despair. • It exposes patients to charlatans and cranks who traditionally foster dependency relationships that permit further exploitation. |
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NCAHF representatives are sympathetic toward desperate sufferers of disease. We never blame the victims of quackery. We understand that people who are frightened will try anything that offers promise with little perceived risk. We regret having to be cast in the role of “doing away with Santa Claus” when it comes to fad remedies. However, NCAHF’s dedication to providing reliable information on health and disease makes it impossible for us to do other than to tell the truth as we perceive it at the time. Furthermore … grass is for cows. © 1998, National Council Against Health Fraud. Portions of this article are reprinted courtesy of the National Council Against Health Fraud. The full article can be read at the NCAHF website: www.ncahf.org/articles/s-z/wheatgrass.html. |
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