Health Benefits of Wheatgrass Powder

Wheatgrass is the term that is often used when talking about young Agropyron plants. Although it is closely related to wheat, it resembles the grass on your lawn. Wheatgrass powder is made by extracting the juice from wheatgrass, dehydrating it and crushing it into a powder. It is most commonly taken in the form of a dietary supplement. Wheatgrass powder has been shown to be effective in preventing a number of health problems and diseases and is a beneficial tool that aids you in maintaining your overall health.

Vitamins and Minerals

Wheatgrass powder contains a variety of different minerals and vitamins, according to the American Cancer Society. A single serving a wheatgrass powder contains 50 percent of your recommended daily intake of vitamin K, 17 percent of riboflavin and 10 percent of vitamin C. Wheatgrass powder also provides you with small boosts of manganese, calcium, iodine, iron, folic acid and selenium. All of these minerals and vitamins are a vital and beneficial part of a balanced, healthy diet.

Cleansing

Wheatgrass powder contains chlorophyll, which is a plant-based nutrient that converts light into energy. In the human body, chlorophyll acts in a similar way to hemoglobin, which is the substance that is responsible for carrying oxygen and important nutrients via the blood to the remainder of the body, according to the Hippocrates Health Institute. Chlorophyll also aids the body in maintaining the proper sugar levels. Wheatgrass powder has a nutritional content that is similar to that of fresh vegetables. It carries enzymes, antioxidants and minerals that detoxify the liver and limit inflammation. By expanding the pathways that blood uses to pass through the body, wheatgrass powder may contribute to lower blood pressure readings.

Beta-Carotene

Wheatgrass powder provides you with a reliable source of beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is known as a provitamin due to its ability to be consumed and then converted into vitamin A, according to MayoClinic.com. Beta-carotene is an antioxidant that can be turned into retinol, which is vital for your vision; it may also provide the immune system with a significant boost. Research performed by the American Cancer Society has shown that vitamin A has the ability to change cancerous cells while preventing other cells from becoming cancerous. Vitamin A is also helpful for keeping skin membranes healthy, helping to prevent infections of the urinary and digestive tracts.

References

Article reviewed by Bryn Bellamy Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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