Wheatgrass is one of the newest health food trends, and it can be found everywhere from juice bars to healthy food counters. The young grass of wheat plants, which is simple to grow at home, is known as wheatgrass. The grass is tall, arid, and vivid green in colour. It is so well-liked because it offers several health advantages.
It belongs to the Triticum aestivum family. Before it grows to its full size, it is eaten during the early stages of harvest. After sprouting for 7–10 days, the grass grows.
Nutrition content of wheatgrass
Due to its high chlorophyll content, which gives the grass its colour, wheatgrass is also referred to as “green blood.” It contains a variety of vitamins, minerals, proteins, and enzymes while being low in calories. According to studies, wheatgrass also possesses anti-cancer qualities. The disease-prevention, oxidative stress-reduction, and metabolism-boosting properties of wheatgrass’ antioxidant compounds.
It is consumed because of a variety of advantages. But in this article, we’ll outline some of the most incredible health advantages of consuming wheatgrass as well as the proper method.
Benefits of wheatgrass for health
Can help in lowering cholesterol
To generate bile and hormones, our body needs some cholesterol. However, having too much cholesterol in the blood can restrict blood flow and raise the risk of developing heart disease.
Wheatgrass can help decrease cholesterol levels, according to numerous animal studies. Rats with elevated cholesterol received wheatgrass juice as part of a study. Total cholesterol levels were lower in these animals.
A common medication used to treat high blood cholesterol, atorvastatin, was found to have effects that were comparable to those of wheatgrass.
Furthermore, another study on rabbits with high cholesterol discovered that wheatgrass increased good cholesterol while lowering bad cholesterol.
Might help in killing cancer cells
Studies suggest that wheatgrass’ high oxidant content may aid in the destruction of cancer cells. In a test tube investigation, wheatgrass extract significantly reduced the growth of mouth cancer cells by 41%.
Another experiment in test tubes showed that wheatgrass can cause cell death and reduce leukaemia cells by 65%.
Wheatgrass can lessen side effects when used in conjunction with conventional cancer treatments.
More research is required to determine whether wheatgrass has any anti-cancer properties in humans.
Can help blood sugar control
India is known as the diabetes capital of the world since there are more than 70 million diabetics living there. Diabetes can cause a wide range of health problems, ranging in severity.
According to certain animal research, wheatgrass can assist in controlling blood sugar levels. In another trial, wheatgrass was given to diabetic rats for 30 days. These rats’ blood sugar levels drastically dropped.
May reduce inflammation
As a defence mechanism against injury and infection, the immune system naturally causes inflammation in the body.
Even though minor inflammation is not harmful, chronic inflammation has been linked to autoimmune diseases, cancer, and heart disease.
Consuming wheatgrass may help lower inflammation, according to some research.
A 23-person study examined the impact of wheatgrass use on ulcerative colitis, a condition that results in large intestine inflammation.
It was discovered that consuming 100 ml of wheatgrass juice daily for a month helped people with ulcerative colitis experience less severe symptoms and less rectal bleeding.
Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, which has the ability to stop a certain protein from causing inflammation.
Can help with losing weight
The diet of weight watchers now includes wheatgrass juice. Wheatgrass contains thylakoids, which can improve satiety and accelerate weight reduction.
According to research done on rats, taking thylakoids as a supplement boosted satiety by slowing down stomach emptying and increasing the production of hormones that suppress hunger.
Green plants like kale, lettuce, and spinach contain thylakoids along with many other nutrients.
Wheatgrass has a lower concentration of thylakoids. To better understand how wheatgrass affects human weight loss, more research is required.
Blood pressure can be reduced by it.
The blood cell count is raised by the chlorophyll molecule, which resembles haemoglobin. This aids in bringing blood pressure back to normal.
Wheatgrass also aids in blood circulation improvement and purification.
Can be used to relieve abdominal pain
Wheatgrass has long been used to ease stomach discomfort and treat minor gastrointestinal issues including diarrhoea.
Fibre is abundant in wheatgrass, which helps to maintain a healthy digestive system.
Improves the health of hair
The ability of wheatgrass to enhance hair health is one of its less well-known advantages. It contains catalase, which can assist in reversing hair greying and decreasing the ageing of hair. Your hair will look lustrous and dandruff will be eliminated by applying wheatgrass to your hair.
Other benefits
Rheumatoid arthritis, heart illness, blood diseases, lowered blood pressure, heavy metal removal from the bloodstream, immune system balancing, improved digestion, and relief from gout can all be helped by wheatgrass.
Methods for including wheatgrass juice in your diet
Juice, powder, and capsule versions of wheatgrass are all readily available. The juice or powder can be added to smoothies, tonics, salads, teas, Wheatgrass juice Earthomya and other herbal beverages.
The right time to consume wheatgrass
On an empty stomach, drinking wheatgrass juice can help prevent motion sickness. It enters the bloodstream approximately 20 minutes after being ingested on an empty stomach, providing you an immediate energy boost and a natural glow to your skin.