Information About Wheat Grass Powder

Cultivating and consuming wheat grass powder began in the 1930s when an agricultural chemist by the name of Charles F. Schnabel, began promoting a list of health benefits from eating wheat and barley grasses that he stumbled upon while treating sick hens. He found that the hens not only got better, but also laid more eggs than his healthy hens. He was able to sell his idea to two leading United States companies, who invested heavily in production and processing of wheat grass powder for human and animal consumption.

Background

Powdered wheat grass is a popular health food staple, with health claims ranging from cancer prevention to curing digestive disorders. Wheat grass is harvested by removing the first leaves or stalks of grass called the cotyledons, of the wheat plant. Schnabel believed that removing the cotyledons created plants with the highest level of nutritional value. Dehydrating the cotyledons provides a rich source of chlorophyll, protein, vitamins and minerals.

Supplement

Wheat grass comes in powder or tablet form with the average daily dose being 3.5 grams. The powdered form is taken by spoon or added to water, fruit juice, smoothies or herbal teas. Wheat grass powder is dark green, has a gritty consistency and essentially tastes the way fresh-cut grass smells.

Benefits

While its main ingredient is chlorophyll, which provides health benefits, wheat grass as a whole has not been proven as a natural curative. Consuming wheat grass is equivalent to consuming leafy vegetables, which have a positive impact on health. A study reported in the January 2007 issue of "Nutrition Research" states that consuming dietary chlorophyll not only in wheat grass, but from all fruits and vegetables, is potentially responsible for preventing chronic diseases, including cancer.

Nutritional Composition

One 8 g packet of organic wheat grass powder provides 35 calories, 2 g of protein, 4 g of carbohydrates and 2 g of dietary fiber. One packet also provides 2 mg each of iron and sodium, 17 mg of vitamin C, 35 mg of calcium, 42 mg of chlorophyll, 230 mg of potassium and 3,800 IU of vitamin A. A single packet contains trace amounts of vitamin K, riboflavin, niacin, vitamins B-6 and B-12, folic acid, iodine, selenium and manganese.