Save Your Shots- Wheatgrass it is!
You already know how nutritious leafy greens are. What about green… grass, though?
Wheatgrass resembles a lawn quite a bit. However, it differs from the grass that is often seen in yards. Actually, it’s the grass of young wheat plants, and hey, it just so happens to be stuffed with nutrients, which is why you frequently see it added to juices and smoothies or offered as a supplement in the form of powders and capsules.
But why is it so healthy, exactly? There are several claims related to the health benefits of wheatgrass, some of which are supported by more data than others. Here are several benefits that could be supported by research, along with some things to consider before using wheatgrass.
Nutritional Facts of Wheatgrass
Several vitamins and minerals are rich in wheatgrass. The following components may be found in 100 g of wheatgrass powder, according to the US Department of Agriculture:
- Energy — 312 kcal
- Protein — 12.5 g
- Carbohydrate — 75 g
- Total Dietary Fiber — 50 g
- Calcium — 300 mg
- Iron — 12.5 mg
Protein, anti-oxidants, bioflavonoids, and amino acids are all included in wheatgrass, which is a rich source of vital nutrition. Eight of the 17 amino acids found in wheatgrass which cannot be produced by human bodies are vital to life. Also, it includes chlorophyll, a form of green pigment with many health benefits.
Additionally, wheatgrass has antioxidant qualities that may reduce oxidative cell damage. It is also more alkaline than the majority of fruits and vegetables.
Know the Green Dash of Health
To improve your overall health, add a dash of this superfood to your smoothies.
1. Fit Check
Wheatgrass is a fantastic choice if you’re trying to lose or keep your weight healthy because it has very few calories.
That’s not all, though. Wheatgrass includes proteins and antioxidants known to speed your metabolism, which enhances your overall efforts to eat healthily and exercise. In other words, it could lead to a little increase in burning calories.
2. Healthy Cholesterol
According to research on animals, a high-fat diet may make it more difficult for the antioxidants in wheatgrass to prevent the formation of dangerous plaque in your arteries.
In a 2010 research, wheatgrass-eating rabbits had reduced total cholesterol and greater levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol. Does it also apply to you? There is no way to tell for sure, but including wheatgrass in a heart-healthy diet may be beneficial.
3. A Diabetics Bff’s
If you want to lower your chance of getting diabetes, you must eat a diet high in fruits, and vegetables, and low in added sugar.
According to studies on animals, wheatgrass enzymes may have unique benefits for blood sugar. In a 2013 experiment, diabetic rats were fed wheatgrass every day, and their blood sugar levels drastically decreased after just one month.
4. Immunity Booster
According to some experts, wheatgrass has immunomodulatory qualities, which means that depending on what your body requires, it may either increase or decrease your immune response.
Although there isn’t much data to support it, most individuals may add more wheatgrass to their diets without experiencing any adverse effects throughout the cold and flu season.
5. Might Protect you from Cancer
Wheatgrass’s antioxidants may help the body fight off cancerous cells.
Although the body of research is currently fairly small, test tube tests have shown that wheatgrass may kill both leukaemia and oral cancer cells, prompting some scientists to hypothesise that the plant may one day be useful in the treatment of cancer.
6. Promotes Digestive Health
Although there isn’t any formal study to support it, wheatgrass has long been used as a treatment for diarrhoea and other digestive problems.
But research does point to the possibility that wheatgrass juice could reduce the signs and symptoms of more severe gastrointestinal conditions like ulcerative colitis.
Patients who consumed wheatgrass shots daily for a month in 2002 research had a much lower level of sickness and diarrhoea.
7. Heal Wounds Faster
There may be some truth to the use of wheatgrass as a topical treatment for burns, ulcers, and other skin lesions: Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, which has antimicrobial qualities that may aid in preventing infections.
Also, it has been shown that chlorophyll increases the creation of red blood cells, which are needed to create healthy new tissue.
8. Heals Infections
The antimicrobial benefits of wheatgrass could extend beyond only promoting wound healing. According to some studies, wheatgrass can be effective in treating various throat infections as well as infections that are sensitive to antibiotics.
9. Powerhouse of Nutrition
Wheatgrass offers a lot of nutritious value for the price. It contains high amounts of iron, potassium, vitamins A, C, and E, magnesium, calcium, amino acids, chlorophyll, and flavonoids, as well as other vital nutrients.
10. Reduces Risk of Overall Illness
According to a study, those who consume more foods high in antioxidants are generally at a lower risk of getting diseases.
Wheatgrass is also rich in antioxidants including flavonoids, chlorophyll, and vitamin C that fight the harmful effects of free radicals and reduce inflammation, much like other green plant meals.
11. Weight Management
Since wheatgrass contains thylakoids, eating it may help in weight loss. Thylakoids have been shown to slow down digestion in animal research. They can help suppress appetite when included in a meal strong in carbohydrates. These elements may help with weight loss.
According to a different study, thylakoids reduce hunger by raising cholecystokinin levels, which increase the flow of bile. Lower food intake might be a result of this.
Thylakoids have an impact on ghrelin and other appetite-regulating hormones, which may increase hunger.
12. Lowers Blood Pressure
According to some anecdotal evidence, wheatgrass may reduce blood pressure. Wheatgrass chlorophyll may promote the growth of blood cells. This could support blood pressure control. However, there isn’t a lot of proof to back this viewpoint.
13. Instant Shot of Energy
Wheatgrass contains proteins that may help the body’s energy-related processes function better and avoid illness.
You feel worn out if your immune system is weakened. Wheatgrass has chlorophyll, which has antibacterial qualities that may help it fight off many illnesses. This can strengthen your immune system and possibly increase your energy levels. However, this claim has not yet been directly supported by the study.
14. Better Kidney Function
There isn’t much research on this subject. Anecdotal data shows that consuming wheatgrass powder could help in the prevention of kidney problems.
Regular use of wheatgrass powder has been shown to improve the following symptoms of kidney cysts, including severe back and abdominal discomfort. Wheatgrass can help in reducing the rate at which cysts grow.
15. Clear and Glowy Skin
Wheatgrass contains vitamin A, which improves skin shine and provides a natural glow. In tests on rats, wheatgrass was effective in treating skin lesions resembling atopic dermatitis.
Wheatgrass juice can be helpful in the treatment of eczema and psoriasis. There is, however, little available research in this area.
Wheatgrass has also been promoted as a safe, all-natural detoxification treatment. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence that wheatgrass may reduce stress. Though there is little data, to prove the authenticity.
Make your Wheatgrass Shot
Ingredients
- Wheatgrass (1/2 cup chopped wheatgrass)
- Orange (1/2 medium peeled orange)
- Coconut water (1/2 cup coconut water)
- Lime (2/3 lime)
- Ginger (1/2 inch chunk of ginger root)
- Turmeric (3/4 inch chunk of turmeric root)
Sip the Shot
- Clean the vegetables completely
- Oranges should be peeled and put right into the juicer
- The lime should be cut (with the skin on) and put right into the juicer
- If you don’t have a juicer, you may still juice the remaining items
- Turmeric, ginger, and wheatgrass are combined in a blender and pressed
- Add the coconut water and blend
Pro Tips
- Be sure to remove the orange peels before juicing since they have an unpleasant flavour
- Begin slowly! Start by not consuming this juice every day. If you drink this grass juice before your body reacts to wheatgrass, you can experience some unpleasant side effects
- Do you still need to add supplements to your diet? To make this emerald-green drink even greener, add leafy greens like kale or spinach
- Still too sour for you to tolerate? To further hide the flavour of your smoothies while still receiving all of these health benefits, mix in a shot of fresh wheatgrass
Enjoy it just as a shot! Avoid drinking in large amounts!
Before onboarding Wheatgrass, Have a look at this
Wheatgrass’ greatest problem is that it tastes, well, like grass. But before you start drinking the thing, assume you can manage the flavour (some people claim to actually like it! ). But you show know the potential side effects.
- Your poop could turn green from it. You may credit wheatgrass’s extremely high chlorophyll content for that. However, it is not risky besides the possibility of gross-out problems
- If you have problems with wheat, think carefully. Wheatgrass may not be suitable for you if you are allergic to wheat or have gluten sensitivity. Consult your doctor before using it
- Your stomach may feel a bit sick as a result. Consider trying wheatgrass when you don’t have any major plans coming up as it has the potential to cause nausea or constipation
- If you have a baby or are pregnant, stay away. Wheatgrass has the same potential to contain germs that cause illness or mould as sprouts
Takeaway
By adding extra flavours, you may improve the flavour of wheatgrass. There are several ways to take in wheatgrass, including tablets, juice or smoothie blends, and powder. In general, adding something with a strong flavour might help it taste better.
For improved flavour, you can mix honey, milk, or any fruit juice with raw wheatgrass. The flavour of wheatgrass is the least grassy in its capsule form.
Also, you may make wheatgrass juice in the comfort of your own home. However, there are other flavoured capsules on the market. To save time and money, I often choose to purchase wheatgrass powder and pills online from healthmug.com.
