Wheatgrass Benefits

Wheatgrass is simply the grass of the wheat plant, and is consumed mainly in the form of juice. It can be consumed in the form of powder, juice, capsule, tablet, etc. It contains several nutrients, chlorophyll being the highest, followed by vitamins and minerals. This plant can also be grown at home in a very simple manner.

You will notice it begins to sprout in two days. Within about 10-14 days, the grass reaches a height of about 12-15 cm and is ready to be harvested.

The recent discovery of the health benefits of wheatgrass has made it very popular among health and fitness enthusiasts as a remedy for almost all health conditions. Apart from containing about 70% chlorophyll, it is also rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, potassium, and cobalt.

It absorbs almost all the minerals present in soil and provides us with the goodness of those. Also, it is extremely rich in protein, and contains a rich amount of amino acids and enzymes. The benefits of this wonder food apply to the following areas:

Vitamins and minerals present in wheatgrass give it the ability to restore hair to its normal color. This means, if you are suffering from premature graying, wheatgrass is the perfect solution for your problem.

People have also experienced relief from dandruff because it has detoxifying abilities. In fact, if you apply wheatgrass juice topically on your scalp, not only will it eliminate dandruff, but will also repair the damaged hair.

Topical application of fresh wheatgrass juice on the affected area will make a big difference to your condition. Firstly, it helps in delaying the signs of aging. Moreover, it tones and firms the skin on the face.

Secondly, it has the ability to detoxify the body. This means, you can get rid of acne and have beautiful glowing skin. Thirdly, if you have a skin disease like psoriasis or eczema, it is going to help you get rid of that too.

For wheatgrass to be effective as a tool for weight loss, it should be consumed in a dehydrated form. This is because the juice is not as fibrous as wheatgrass in its raw, dehydrated form. Wheatgrass is highly fibrous, and it expands in the stomach when consumed.

This gives a feeling of fullness, and thereby reduces your appetite. To avail this benefit, powder dried wheatgrass, mix it with a glass of water, and drink it. See the difference it makes to your weight.

It has the ability to neutralize the acidity levels in the body. Once this is done, the body becomes healthier, and the uterus provides a healthy environment for the egg to fertilize. Several women have experienced the benefits of wheatgrass in this regard. It also helps in regulating the menstrual cycle among women who face a problem of irregular periods.

The chlorophyll content in wheatgrass makes it an effective defense against the development of cancer. Chlorophyll has the ability to destroy carcinogens that are responsible for the growth and multiplication of cancerous cells. It has been particularly helpful in controlling the risk of lung cancer in smokers.

This however, does not mean that you can continue smoking and just drink wheatgrass juice along with it. We are all aware of the side effects of smoking. Though wheatgrass has the ability to reduce the risk of cancer, it cannot be called a sure shot defense against this disease. Even then, continue drinking the juice and do your body some good.

When consumed daily, the juice builds red blood cells. Chlorophyll increases the body's ability to absorb oxygen into the bloodstream. This helps improve the red blood cell count, and is therefore helpful for those who suffer from low hemoglobin levels and anemia.

Apart from all the wonderful aforementioned benefits, following are some benefits of wheatgrass:

• It has a detoxifying effect on the body, in which, all the harmful toxins are cleared and the liver is purified.
• It helps eliminate body odor, including bad breath.
• It keeps common cold at bay, and if you have a cold, it helps clear out congestion in the sinuses.

• It helps eliminate harmful, disease-causing bacteria from the stomach, and prevents further growth of such bacteria.
• It also has the ability to stabilize blood pressure levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.

Wheatgrass can cause nausea, diarrhea, and headaches if one is allergic or consumes an excess of it. To keep the side effects away, start with its consumption in a small amount. Start with a shot of juice of about 30 ml. As you begin to develop a taste for it, increase the dosage to 60 ml.

If you are taking the powdered form, just a teaspoon sprinkled on your food, mixed in a juice, or just consumed with water should suffice. Just like any other natural remedy, the effects of wheatgrass will be seen when consumed regularly over time.

Disclaimer: This is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.