Have you heard about the benefits of wheatgrass and its juice for the body? It is an excellent source of energy and health, and can replace certain food supplements or medicines. Wheatgrass juice is rich in various vitamins, amino acids and other essential and beneficial substances for the body. In this article, we will look at the benefits of wheatgrass juice, the nutrients it contains and how to grow wheatgrass and make wheatgrass juice.
What is wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass is the sprouts of sprouted wheat grains. About 70% of all sprouts are chlorophyll, which gives wheatgrass its bright green colour. Chlorophyll is a green pigment that plants use to produce food during photosynthesis. The structure of chlorophyll is similar to that of haemoglobin, a protein in the blood that carries oxygen to the tissues. This is why it is sometimes referred to as “green blood”.
Wheatgrass is a potent mix of nutrients, which makes it very beneficial to the body. It is rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, phytonutrients, 17 amino acids, enzymes, vitamins A, C, E, K and the B vitamin complex, chlorophyll and protein.
Benefits of wheatgrass juice
- Antioxidants are important to protect the body from free radical damage and also help prevent cell death, cancer, premature ageing and chronic inflammation. As wheatgrass is rich in antioxidants, consuming its juice makes the body healthier and stronger.
- Wheatgrass juice can help with many blood-related diseases. Wheatgrass is known as ‘green blood’ because of its structural similarity to haemoglobin. It can therefore help with anaemia. They can also help to reduce uric acid levels in the blood and lower blood pressure and atherosclerosis, where the blood vessels become blocked with fat. However, they should only be taken on medical advice.
- Wheatgrass juice can help reduce nausea, vomiting, flatulence, other digestive problems and stomach ulcers. It can also be used to treat constipation and rectal bleeding, as it acts as a laxative and increases the volume of faeces, helping them to pass easily.
- Wheatgrass contains 17 different types of amino acids, iron, calcium, many antioxidants and important vitamins. Consumption of their juice is therefore directly linked to strengthening the immune system. It improves metabolism, reduces inflammation, speeds up healing, and the fibre it contains strengthens the digestive system.
- The antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties of wheatgrass make it ideal for the skin. It can be applied externally to the skin or used to prevent skin problems (rashes, wounds, darkening) and infections. Drinking wheatgrass juice regularly also stimulates skin cell reproduction and improves skin condition.
Wheatgrass juice for energy
This juice is an excellent natural source of energy that is much healthier and more beneficial than any energy drink. Here are three reasons why drinking wheatgrass juice gives you a burst of energy.
- Chlorophyll – Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, the chemical that gives the plant its green colour. This powerful nutrient is associated with providing energy to the body. Wheatgrass contains about 70% chlorophyll.
- Glucose – Although wheatgrass is low in calories, most of the calories come from glucose. Glucose is the simplest form of all sugars and is used as the body’s energy source to sustain life and good health. Therefore, the glucose they contain provides a sugar rush that gives energy and vitality.
- Nutrients – Wheatgrass is rich in beneficial vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B complex. Vitamin E in wheatgrass acts as an antioxidant which provides energy to the body.
How do I grow wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass can be bought in shops or easily grown at home. There are two ways to grow them: storing them in moisture or planting them in soil. However, it is best to grow them in the soil, as this ensures good quality. First, cover the wheat grains with water and leave them for at least two days. Then pour the soil into the pot, add some sprouted wheat, squeeze it shallowly and water it. After about 10 days, the sprouts will have grown and you will be able to extract the juice. Wheatgrass that is 15-20 cm tall is best suited for use. To see how to grow wheatgrass in the ground, watch this video
And how to sprout without soil can be seen in this video.
How to make wheatgrass juice?
It is very simple and easy to make this juice at home. All you need to do is to cut off the overgrown wheatgrass and wash it under running water. Then place them on a clean towel or paper towel and drain them. Next:
- you can squeeze the juice from the wheatgrass with a juicer.
- if you don’t have a juicer, then you can put the wheatgrass in a blender and mash it well. Strain the resulting mass through a sieve or a clean, dense cloth (cheesecloth).
The squeezed juice should be consumed immediately.
Raw wheatgrass cocktail
This smoothie will not only give you plenty of energy, but will also provide your body with many beneficial substances. It is also suitable for those who want a tastier drink than just a juice made from wheatgrass.
To make the smoothie you will need:
- 1,5 bananas, frozen, chopped
- 50 g fresh spinach,
- 2 dates (pitted)
- 1 tbsp wheat-gel powder or 30 ml wheat-gel juice
- 0,5 tsp cinnamon
Preparation:
- Place the bananas, spinach, dates, wheat gelatin powder or juice in a blender.
- Puree everything until it becomes a smooth, thick paste.
- Add the cinnamon and give it another light pulse.
- Consume the resulting drink immediately.
How do I use wheatgrass juice?
As this juice is a food supplement, it should be consumed in moderation. It is recommended to drink no more than 40 g of wheatgrass juice per day. If you are a first-time user, you should start with a smaller amount and increase the amount every few days. It is important to monitor the body’s reaction to this drink, as it may cause mild nausea at first. In this case, you should take a break for a few days and then slowly start using the gelatine juice again.
Wheatgrass juice should be drunk as soon as it is squeezed, as it retains its valuable properties for only half an hour. The juice should be drunk in the morning at least half an hour before meals, as this is the best way to get the effects of the juice. Wheatgrass juice can be consumed not only by adults but also by children from the age of one.
Possible side effects of wheatgrass juice
Wheatgrass is generally a healthy and beneficial product. Unlike wheat, wheatgrass is gluten-free. However, if you are a first-time user, watch out for the following signs of allergy to wheatgrass: upset stomach, nausea, swelling of the throat or lips, rash and headache. Wheatgrass can also cause the following ailments: dizziness, mild headache and fatigue. If these symptoms occur, you should stop using this juice.
To avoid these side effects, start with small amounts of wheatgrass juice (about 20 ml per day) and gradually increase the amount.
Wheatgrass juice is not a substitute for food and should only be used as a food supplement and should be consumed in the context of a healthy and balanced diet.
Sources:
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/wheatgrass-benefits#energy
https://pharmeasy.in/blog/ayurveda-uses-benefits-side-effects-of-wheatgrass-juice/
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-wheatgrass
https://www.netmeds.com/health-library/post/5-impressive-benefits-of-wheatgrass-juice
By Egidija Indulytė.
Associative photos © Canva.