Wheatgrass with the scientific name as Triticum aesticum belongs to the family Poaceae. Agopyron cristatum, Bambusa textilis, Poa annua, Cynodon dactylon, Zea mays, Aristida purpurea, etc. also belongs to this family. It refers to the young grass which is freshly dried and dried into powder for consumption. Wheatgrass is hollow, pithy, simple, and glabrous about 1.2 m tall which possess leaves usually flat, narrow about 20-38 cm long and 1.3 cm broad. Spikes are slender, long, flattened, and dorsally compressed. It is loaded with nutrients such as 18.5 mg chlorophyll, 860 mg protein, 38 mg lysine, 15 mg calcium, 7.5 mg vitamin C, and micronutrients such as amino acids and B complex vitamins.

The plant is believed to possess nutritional values such as antioxidant, infection?, or irritation, often causing pain?, swelling?, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation?, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।" data-rx-term="anti-inflammatory" data-rx-definition="Anti-inflammatory means reducing inflammation, pain, or swelling. সহজ বাংলা: প্রদাহ/ফোলা/ব্যথা কমায়।">anti-inflammatory?, immunomodulatory, anticarcinogenic, astringent, laxative, anti-aging, antibacterial, and diuretic properties. It has phytochemical constituents such as carbohydrates, alkaloids, gum, mucilages and saponins.

It is harvested before the stems develop and immediately dehydrated at body temperature in order to preserve natural pure living biological properties and potency of superfood which includes all heat sensitive enzymes as well as nutrients.

History

Traditionally wheatgrass is worshipped by Hindu people. However, the intake of wheatgrass began in the 1930s in the Western world after the experiments being conducted by Charles Schnabel to popularize the plant. In 1940, Schnabel’s powdered grass cans were on sale throughout the United States and Canada.

Ann Wigmore was in favor for the intake of wheatgrass as a part of the raw food diet as it is able to cleanse bodily toxins by maintaining balance of nutrients as whole food.

Plant

Wheatgrass is the genus of wheatlike grasses in Poaceae family found throughout North Temperate Zone. The species such as crested wheatgrass (A. cristatum) and desert wheatgrass (Agropyron desertorum) are forage plants which are used as soil binders in western United States. Typically wheatgrass plants are perennials that range from 30 to 100 cm (about 12 to 40 inches) high. It has creeping rhizomes or underground stems that spread vegetatively. Leaves are flat or rolled somewhat and flowers form in spikelike inflorescences. The species are drought tolerant and could survive in saline soils. As the genus has undergone meaningful taxonomic revision, various former species are placed in grass genera which includes western wheatgrass (Pascopyrum smithii, formerly A. smithii), bluebunch wheatgrass (Pseudoroegneria spicata, formerly Agropyron spicatum) and slender wheatgrass (Elymus trachycaulus, formerly A. trachycaulum).

Health Benefits of Wheatgrass

1. General well being

Wheatgrass has ample amounts of vitamins C, A and E that acts as anti-oxidant and prevent aging of cells in the body which are responsible for brain and heart problems. Its components assist in managing menopause. It is beneficial for pain?, swelling?, stiffness?, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis?, graying or hair loss, skin allergies, kidney stones, weakness?, pyorrhea, weak eyesight, dental infections and fatigue?. It is also effective in heart disease, infection? of the digestive system, acute? stomach ache, gas, asthma, paralysis, constipation?, leucoderma, insulin? is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes?, leukemia and other cancer types. It improves fertility and enhances youthfulness due to the high content of magnesium in chlorophyll that builds enzymes that restores sex hormones. Wheatgrass juice cleanses the body from pollutants. The high levels of enzymes or amino acids acts as a natural cleanser for the detoxifying liver, discard toxic heavy metals from bloodstream, eliminating waste matter and slowing aging process. The richness of amino acids, fiber, protein, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes assist in strengthening immunity?. It improves resistance to diseases and wipes body toxins.

2. Nutrient absorption

Wheatgrass has vital alkalizing benefits for the body with increasing nutrient absorption such as vitamin C, electrolytes and Vitamin E. Wheatgrass has chlorophyll that helps to balance the pH level of the body and protects cells. The chlorophyll containing compounds to high carbohydrate meals helps to suppress hunger motivation and promotes signals of satiety. It adds chlorophyll rich substances to meals that lowers food intake and prevent compensational eating in the day that helps to lower body weight over time.

3. Eliminates free radicals

Wheatgrass possess antioxidant properties that help to lower free radical damage or oxidation that causes aging and leads to formation of disease. Study shows that wheatgrass inhibits lipid perioxidation in liver and protects mitochondria within cells. It lowers infection?, or irritation, often causing pain?, swelling?, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation? levels and reduces the chances of diseases such as liver disease, cancer and heart disease.

4. Lowers immunity?

Study shows that wheatgrass has anticancer activities. It is beneficial for overall immune function such as regulating immunological activity and combat oxidative stress which contributes to cell mutations. Trials shows that wheatgrass helps to lower chemotherapy related side effects such as malabsorption, fatigue? and deficiencies. Wheatgrass treats immune related conditions such as pain?, swelling?, stiffness?, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="arthritis" data-rx-definition="Arthritis means joint inflammation causing pain, swelling, stiffness, or reduced movement. সহজ বাংলা: জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">arthritis?: Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune? joint disease causing infection?, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।" data-rx-term="inflammation" data-rx-definition="Inflammation is the body’s response to injury, infection, or irritation, often causing pain, swelling, heat, or redness. সহজ বাংলা: শরীরের প্রদাহ; ব্যথা, ফোলা বা লালভাব হতে পারে।">inflammation?, pain, and swelling. সহজ বাংলা: রোগপ্রতিরোধ ব্যবস্থার ভুল আক্রমণে জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।" data-rx-term="rheumatoid arthritis" data-rx-definition="Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune joint disease causing inflammation, pain, and swelling. সহজ বাংলা: রোগপ্রতিরোধ ব্যবস্থার ভুল আক্রমণে জয়েন্টের প্রদাহ।">rheumatoid arthritis?, ulcerative? colitis, obesity, hematological disease and insulin? is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।" data-rx-term="diabetes" data-rx-definition="Diabetes is a condition where blood sugar stays too high because insulin is low or not working well. সহজ বাংলা: রক্তে চিনি বেশি থাকার রোগ।">diabetes?. Antioxidant benefits are due to the presence of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase and cytochrome oxidase. It converts free radicals such as reactive oxygen species to hydrogen peroxide as well as oxygen molecules.

5. Lowers triglycerides and high cholesterol?

Wheatgrass is a medicinal plant that is helpful for heart as well as blood vessels. It is effective for treating hyperlipidemia. It also reduces triglyceride levels and high cholesterol. The study was conducted to observe the effects of wheatgrass when given to rabbits fed high fat diet that activated hyperlipidemia. The rabbits were divided into 3 groups: one received control diet, other received high fat diet and other group received high fat diet with wheatgrass over the period of 10 weeks. The supplements of wheatgrass with high fat diet showed improvement in lipid levels. It lowered MDA levels and increased vitamin C and glutathione levels.

6. Combat infections

Research shows that wheatgrass wipes out growth of certain infections. It is helpful for treating infections which are resistant to antibiotics and people who are allergic to antibiotics. Study shows that wheatgrass possess antimicrobial properties that combat some strep infections and bacteria called Lactobacillus having a crucial role in infections such as dental infections.

7. Gastrointestinal health

Wheatgrass helps to lower stomach pain and manages minor gastrointestinal ailments such as diarrhea. Wheatgrass is gluten free and is a great option for people with gluten intolerance. It treats ulcerative colitis. Wheatgrass lowers pain and other symptoms of people.

8. Prevent diabetes

Research shows that wheatgrass is beneficial for diabetic patients. The study shows that wheatgrass increases insulin levels and helps to reduce blood glucose. Obesity is the major risk factor for diabetes.

Side effects of Wheatgrass

1. Headache

Some people might experience headache after intake of wheatgrass juice. It might be the sign that the body is intolerable to the juice. It provides relief from symptoms. Wheatgrass is contaminated by organism known as Listeria monocytogenes. It causes serious side effects such as severe headache.

2. Nausea

The study shows that wheatgrass provoke the symptoms of nausea in six patients. Wheatgrass possess gluten and people who are intolerant to gluten experiences nausea.

3. Allergies

Wheatgrass causes allergies when used in form of juice or pills. It causes symptoms in various body parts within few moments of wheatgrass intake. It is due to overproduction of some chemicals which combat suspected allergen. This allergy affects circulatory and digestive systems and causes cramping, nausea, diarrhea and vomiting. Other allergic reactions such as congestion and shortness of breath are also experienced.

4. Stained Teeth

Wheatgrass can cause stain in the teeth. So brush teeth after the intake of wheatgrass juice.

5. Constipation

Some individuals might experience constipation with wheatgrass juice. Consult the doctor immediately.

6. Develops mold

As wheatgrass is a sprouted grass which grows in moist conditions that could lead to the development of mold. Both white and brown types of mold refer spoilage which means grasses should be thrown away. The juice made with moldy wheatgrass tastes bitter and musty.

7. Dizziness And Fatigue

When consumed the undiluted form in excessive amounts, it causes fatigue and dizziness. So add small shot of juice to other vegetable juices.

8. Rashes

The skin might be inflamed after the intake of wheatgrass juice such as rashes.

9. Mild Fever

Fever is related to detoxification so when taken for detoxification, it could lead to mild fever. The body expels toxins and fever is a sign of feeling the burden of the detoxification process.

References