There is a growing hype today in the use of wheatgrass to promote good health and improve life quality. You can now see a myriad of products from health drinks to packed foods that contain wheatgrass as one of the main ingredients. Undeniably, there are numerous health benefits of wheatgrass, especially when it comes to detoxification. It is now being prepared commercially and at home as a form of juice, powder, or supplement.
You need to be very careful when sourcing information online as there are lots of misleading ones, but this article will guide you to evidence-based wheatgrass benefits that you need to know.
1. Wheatgrass is an Excellent Source of Nutrients and Antioxidants
Wheatgrass nutrition involves a high dose of vitamins such as A, C, and E plus essential minerals like calcium, magnesium, and iron and amino acids. All in all, 17 amino acids are crucial in maintaining normal functioning in the body. Eight of these are essential amino acids that the body cannot produce, so you must get them from the food you eat.
Like any other plant, wheatgrass is a source of chlorophyll, the green pigment of the plant known to have numerous benefits to health. Antioxidant compounds are found abundantly in plants that can aid to block free radicals from damaging cells. Studies link to antioxidants in preventing chronic health conditions such as heart diseases, diabetes, and neurodegenerative diseases.
Studies about wheatgrass are limited to test tubes and animals. However, most of them show conclusive evidence that wheatgrass good for you in reducing oxidative stress that can damage the cells.
2. Wheatgrass to Decrease Cholesterol Level
Cholesterol is not always dangerous if it’s at the average level. It is a waxy substance that is responsible for making hormones and producing bile from the liver. Excess cholesterol in the bloodstream can block normal blood flow and can lead to heart diseases.
There are lots of animal studies to prove the health benefits of wheatgrass. A study was done in rats with increased cholesterol levels and fed with wheatgrass juice. The effect is decreased in the total cholesterol level, triglycerides, and LDL “bad” cholesterol.
Another study in rabbits with a high-fat diet and were supplemented with wheatgrass for ten weeks shows a decrease in total cholesterol levels and an increase in HDL “good’ cholesterol. These studies show that wheatgrass nutrition is essential in managing cholesterol levels, but further human trials are needed.
3. Wheatgrass Kills Cancer Cells
Wheatgrass benefits for cancer cells are proven through different test-tube studies. One test-tube research shows significant effects on slowing down the spread of cancer cells in the mouth using wheatgrass extract. Another study in a test tube resulted in the death of cancer cells and decrease the development of leukemia cells by 65 percent in a matter of three days using wheatgrass. Also, there are claims that drinking wheatgrass juice in combination with cancer treatments can help patients manage their adverse effects.
4. Wheatgrass Regulates Blood Sugar
In the long run, having high blood sugar can develop into serious side effects like nerve damage, vision impairments, and skin infections. Many studies want to prove wheatgrass good for you, especially for people with diabetes. Animal studies are done with rats given wheatgrass extract, and most of them show a significant result in lowering blood sugar levels. The scientific community encourages more human trials to support claims on wheatgrass benefits to human health.
5. Wheatgrass Boost Immune System
One of the significant health benefits of wheatgrass is the immune system’s response to bacteria and viruses. Once the immune system detects a threat in the body, the immediate reaction is inflammation. Having chronic inflammation may result in different health conditions, such as diabetes, cancer, autoimmune disorders, and heart diseases.
A human study was done with 23 participants to know the effect of wheatgrass juice in treating ulcerative colitis. Drinking 100 ml of wheatgrass juice for a month resulted in decreasing rectal bleeding and reducing ulcerative colitis.
Most wheatgrass nutrition comes from its green pigment, which is proven to have anti-inflammatory properties.
6. Wheatgrass for Weight Loss
One of the main components of its effectiveness in weight loss is the thylakoids. These are small compartments within the plant chlorophyll. According to a study with rats and thylakoids supplement resulted in high satiety level that slow down emptying of the stomach, thus boosting the excretion of hormones that is responsible for decreasing hunger.
