Juiced, powdered or sold as a supplement, wheat grass is a popular item on health-conscious menus. With a history tracing back to ancient Egypt, the young blades of the wheat plant have been used for millenia to promote vitality and well-being. Although some claims about the benefits of wheat grass lack scientific backing, this food can boost your diet with vitamins, minerals, chlorophyll, amino acids and other health-promoting substances.
Benefits
Because wheat grass is typically juiced or dried into a powder, it offers a concentrated, easily-digestible source of vitamins and minerals. According to the Mayo Clinic, wheat grass is rich in nutrients vital for immunity and overall health, including iron, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E and magnesium. This food may also contain compounds that work as antioxidants, helping protect your DNA and cells from free radical damage.
Uses
Proponents of wheat grass claim this food can boost the immune system, detoxify the body, neutralize carcinogens in the body, prevent tooth decay, reverse gray hair, improve digestion and lower blood pressure. Some wheat grass fans also promote wheat grass as a complementary or alternative treatment for cancer, anemia, ulcerative colitis, joint pain, diabetes, infection, skin conditions, constipation and colon cleansing, the Mayo Clinic explains. Although most of these claims lack scientific evidence, a study published in the April 2002 issue of the "Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology" found that wheat grass juice helped improve symptoms of ulcerative colitis without causing any negative side effects.
Considerations
Despite claims about the healing properties of wheat grass, there is no clinical evidence that wheat grass can improve or reverse chronic disease. According to the National Council Against Health Fraud, the positive experiences some wheat-grass consumers report may be due to wishful thinking, the placebo effect or natural changes in disease symptoms, and some wheat-grass fans promote this food for financial reasons. Although wheat grass generally has few side effects, some people report nausea after consuming it. If you're suffering from a serious health condition such as cancer or diabetes, consult your physician before using wheat grass as a complementary therapy, and don't change or cease medications unless advised by your doctor.
Warning
Wheat grass is typically grown in moist, humid conditions for seven to 10 days and then consumed raw. As the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center explains, these growing conditions can cause harmful bacteria to flourish, leaving wheat grass contaminated with disease-causing pathogens. Avoid raw wheat grass juice if you're pregnant or nursing.
References
- MayoClinic.com; What is Wheatgrass -- and Why Is It In My Drink?; Brent A. Bauer, M.D.; October 15, 2010
- Amazing Grass: What is the History of Wheat Grass?
- National Council Against Health Fraud; Wheatgrass Therapy; William T. Jarvis; 1998
- "Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology"; Wheat Grass Juice in the Treatment of Active Ulcerative Colitis; April 2002
- Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center: Wheat Grass
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