Wheatgrass comes from the sprouted seeds of common wheat, or Triticum aestivum. Potential health benefits of wheatgrass include preventing the common cold, reducing your risk of cancer, treating arthritis and lowering blood pressure, but none of these claims have been scientifically proven. Wheatgrass may be part of an overall healthy diet for blood pressure, and a nutritionist can work with you to develop a balanced plan.
High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases your risk for heart disease, stroke and kidney disease. About one-third of Americans have high blood pressure, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, but your can lower your risk by eating a healthy diet. Wheatgrass is part of the vegetable group, and individuals who eat more vegetables tend to have lower blood pressures. MayoClinic.com warns that pregnant and breastfeeding women should not eat wheatgrass because it can be contaminated with bacteria.
Low in Sodium
Low-sodium diets can lower your blood pressure or prevent it from rising above normal ranges, and a benefit of wheatgrass is that it is nearly sodium free. Healthy adults should have no more than 2,300 mg sodium per day, and individuals with diabetes or high blood pressure, and older adults and African Americans should not have more than 1,500 mg per day, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Fiber and Vitamin C
A single teaspoon of wheatgrass provides 1 g dietary fiber, or 4 percent of the daily value for dietary fiber. Dietary fiber comes from the parts of plant foods that your body cannot digest, and it may help regulate blood pressure, according to the Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center. One teaspoon of wheatgrass has 13 percent of the daily value for vitamin C, and a high intake of vitamin C may lower blood pressure in individuals with hypertension. However, this potential benefit of vitamin C is not certain.
Other Information
Obesity increases your risk for hypertension, and one of the benefits of wheatgrass for your blood pressure may be for controlling your weight. It is an easy ingredient to add to smoothies, cereals and yogurt to increase the amount of dietary fiber, which is a filling nutrient. Instead of depending on a single food for maintaining your health, MayoClinic.com recommends using wheatgrass to increase the variety of your diet so that you can get a range of nutrients.
References
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center; Wheatgrass; March 2011
- Fitbit: Wheatgrass
- U.S. Department of Health and Human Services: Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2010
- Mayo Clinic; What Is Wheatgrass -- and Why Is It in My Drink?; Brent Bauer; October 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Hypertension
- Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center; Vitamin C; Jane Higdon; January 2006
