Wheatgrass and carrots are popular juicing items filled with antioxidants. The leaves of wheatgrass, a member of the wheat family, and carrots, part of the parsley family, are blended or crushed to make juice. Vitamins and minerals contained in wheatgrass and carrots are primarily preserved during the juicing process.
Nutritional Content
Wheatgrass juice contains 80 calories, no fat and no sodium per 16-ounce serving. According to Illinois State University, wheatgrass consists of 70 percent chlorophyll. Chlorophyll gives plants a green pigment while providing antioxidants. Juiced wheatgrass contains vitamins A, B12, C and E, as well as important proteins. Carrot juice contains 100 calories, 0.5 g of fat and 250 mg of sodium per 16-ounce serving. Carrots provide more beta-carotene than any other vegetable consumed in the United States. Beta-carotene aids in the formation of vitamin A and provides the orange pigment known as carotenoids. Other vitamins and minerals in carrot juice are vitamins B, C, D, E and K, along with potassium, calcium, sodium, phosphorous and small amounts of protein.
Wheatgrass Health Benefits
Wheatgrass contains antioxidants that rid the body of free radicals. Antioxidants possess cancer-fighting properties. Wheatgrass may also have anti-inflammatory benefits. Reduced colitis symptoms and decreased inflammation of the colon are associated with the consumption of wheatgrass and wheatgrass juice. According to Debra Harrigan, a nutrition counselor, wheatgrass helps treat depression by aiding in the production of serotonin, the neurotransmitter stimulated by antidepressant medication.
Carrot Health Benefits
The high levels of beta-carotene and vitamin A in carrots promote eye health by lubricating the eyes and preserving visual acuity. Healthy urinary and digestive tracts are linked to carrot consumption. The high mineral content in carrots aids in nourishing the hair, nails and skin. Carrot juice cleanses the liver by ridding it of bile and fat. Additionally, the potassium content in carrots regulates blood pressure levels.
Warnings
Juiced wheatgrass is consumed raw and may contain bacteria and mold. Wash wheatgrass thoroughly prior to juicing. Contamination from bacteria grown on wheatgrass can cause headaches and gastrointestinal problems. Allergic reactions may occur after ingesting wheatgrass, including a closed airway and hives. According to Columbia University Health Services, consuming more than 20 mg of carotene per day, equivalent to three 8-inch carrots, may cause you to develop hypercarotenemia. Hypercarotenemia can cause discoloration in the white part of your eyes, the soles of your feet and the palms of your hands. An orange or yellow tint may develop on these areas of the body. This excessive consumption of carotene is not physically harmful or permanent.
References
- Columbia University Health Services: Go Ask Alice!; Is Wheatgrass as Groovy as They Say It Is?; January 2003
- Brain Research Institute at University of California Los Angeles; Wonderfoods; Jay Weinstein; October 2008
- Sacramento State University: Healthy Bites: Eat Out Right
- Illinois State University; Wheat Grass; Kent Seymour
- Columbia University Health Services: Go Ask Alice!; Nutritional Value of Carrot Juice; June 2010
- University of Maine; Vegetables and Fruits for Health: Carrots; Kathleen Savoie; 2008
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