Wheatgrass

What is Wheatgrass?

Wheatgrass is the young grass or the freshly sprouted leaves of the wheat plant, Triticum aestivum. It grows in mild temperature regions throughout the United States and Europe. 

How should I take it?

The leaves are typically milled into a powder (whole powder or juice powder) that can later be reconstituted into a juice. Wheatgrass powder can also be made into tablets or capsules.  Wheatgrass is often used for juicing or added to smoothies because of its nutritional benefits.

Is wheatgrass good for you?

Wheatgrass juice may smell and look like you blended the clippings of  your lawn, but those who enjoy drinking it say it can strengthen the immune system, detoxify the body, and prevent disease. Wheatgrass believers use it to try and combat a number of everyday health conditions, including colds, coughs, fevers, digestive problems, and skin conditions.

Wheatgrass has been used to potentially prevent and treat more serious conditions, from cancer to AIDS.

Is there scientific evidence that wheatgrass can strengthen the immune system, detoxify the body, and prevent disease? In an article published by Healthline -- a website that provides health and wellness information that is scientifically based -- entitled "7

Evidence-Based Benefits of Wheatgrass", Rachael Link, MS, RD discusses the evidence-based benefits of wheatgrass.

These are the topics covered  in the article with accompanying summaries: 

1. 1. 1. High in Nutrients and Antioxidants

Wheatgrass is high in chlorophyll and many vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Test-tube and animal studies have found that its antioxidant content may prevent oxidative stress and cell damage.

1. 1. 2. May Reduce Cholesterol

Some animal studies have found that wheatgrass may help lower blood cholesterol levels, but human studies are needed.

1. 1. 3. Could Help Kill Cancer Cells

Test-tube studies show that wheatgrass may help kill cancer cells and reduce cancer development. Also, one human study found that it may reduce complications of chemotherapy.

1. 1. 4. May Aid in Blood Sugar Regulation

Some animal studies have found that wheatgrass may help decrease blood sugar levels, though more human studies are needed.

1. 1. 5. May Alleviate Inflammation

One study found that wheatgrass may help treat ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease. Additionally, test-tube studies have found that chlorophyll, a compound found in wheatgrass, may also decrease inflammation.

1. 1. 6. Could Help Promote Weight Loss

Human and animal studies have found that the thylakoids in wheatgrass and other green vegetables may increase satiety and weight loss.

1. 1. 7. Easy to Add to Your Diet

Wheatgrass is available as a juice, powder, tablet or capsule supplement and can be consumed in a variety of ways. It’s quite easy to add to your diet.

Rachael Link, MS, RD in the mentioned article published at Healthline concluded that "Wheatgrass and its components have been associated with many health benefits, including weight loss, decreased inflammation, lower cholesterol and better blood sugar control. However, research on its effects in humans is lacking, and many studies are focused solely on its specific compounds. Although more studies are needed to confirm the benefits of wheatgrass, drinking it as part of a well-balanced diet could help provide some extra nutrients and several health benefits."

In addition to the benefits discussed above, those who swear by it say that the dominant ingredient in wheatgrass is chlorophyll, which is the pigment that gives plants their green color.

They claim that chlorophyll acts like hemoglobin (the protein molecule in red blood cells that carries oxygen from the lungs to the body's tissues and returns carbon dioxide from the tissues back to the lungs) and increases oxygen levels in the body.

Other green vegetables rich in chlorophyll include spinach, broccoli, arugula, to name a few.

Wheatgrass (and barley grass) ARE gluten free if they are harvested in the “grass” stage and not allowed to grow to the “jointing” stage when the plant begins to form the seed head that contains the gluten.

If the manufacturers source from reputable growers/processors this isn’t a problem. FDA allows less than 20 ppm (Canada and some other countries less than 10 ppm) to be considered gluten free. At this level that means some of the field’s plants have begun to form seed. Processors/suppliers should regularly test their field samples to accurately claim gluten free status.

Wheatgrass is sold in many forms, including Juice Powder and Whole Powder. The main argument around the difference between Wheatgrass Juice Powder and Wheatgrass Whole Powder seems to be around the presence or absence of fiber. 

Fiber is the portion of plants that cannot be digested by the human digestive tract and is classified as soluble and insoluble. Oats, beans, dried peas, and legumes are major sources of soluble fiber whereas wheat bran, whole grain products, and vegetables are major sources of insoluble fiber, meaning it does not dissolve in water.

Cellulose is a type of insoluble fiber, and it is the main constituent of plant cells. When eaten, cellulose passes through the gastrointestinal tract relatively intact. 

Wheatgrass Whole Powders

Wheatgrass whole powder does contain cellulose, and while humans cannot digest it the way animals can because we don't have the appropriate enzymes, it does not mean that we should not eat it. After all whole grains and nuts also have cellulose and they are a regular part of our everyday diet. In fact, insoluble fiber is needed to maintain a healthy gut. Whole Powder also contains soluble fiber, which is the fiber in many fruits and berries.

Wheatgrass whole powder is a great option for meeting the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of fiber. According to WebMD, the average adult consumes on average a quarter of the recommended fiber allowance. Wheatgrass Whole Powder is a wonderful way to incorporate more fiber in our diet, and, in addition to fiber, it also contains vitamins and minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. 

Wheatgrass Juice Powders

Wheatgrass Juice Powder, unlike whole ground leaves, is juiced before being dried, concentrating the already powerful nutrition even further. Juice powders are several times more potent than whole powders but do not contain fiber. Wheatgrass contains high concentrations of valuable nutrients, including chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and natural enzymes. Our Juice Powders contain no insoluble fibers, carriers or additives.

One teaspoon of Wheatgrass Juice Powder is somewhat equivalent to 6-10 shots of wheatgrass juice or 1 tray of wheatgrass.

Now you know the main differences between Wheatgrass Whole Powder and Wheatgrass Juice Powder. Each type of powder has outstanding health benefits and one is not better than the other, but they are different. Ideally you would want a powder that has the fiber content found in the Whole Powder with the nutritional concentration of the Juice Powder.

The good news is that you don't have to choose one powder over the other. Because we manufacture Juice Powder and Whole Powder, we can easily provide a Blend that combines the best of both worlds.

The good news is that you don't have to choose one powder over the other. 

Wheatgrass and barley grass are two different kinds of young cereal grasses that are commonly offered as Juice Powder and Whole Powder. Barley grass is from the young shoots of the barley plant, while wheatgrass is from the young shoots of the wheat plant.

Wheatgrass and barley grass are both great sources of chlorophyll. Both of them contain a variety of nutrients, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids, and usually barley grass is considered as mild-tasting as opposed to wheatgrass. 

Both grasses are often used by people who are looking for the antioxidants properties in them, making them great free radical scavengers.

When discussing the difference between Juice Powder and Whole Powder, the name itself expresses basic step that defines the difference between these types of powder.  Here we are not taking into consideration the nutritional aspects of the end product but instead the actual manufacturing process of Alfalfa powders as well as cereal grass powders, primarily Wheat, Barley and Oat.

Both types of organic powders share the same initial concerns, the soil preparation; the need to create the most fertile environment to produce the growth of richest young leaves. This is the phase in the growth process when the plant presents its highest nutritional value, and the reason why young leaves are so important. 

Once young leaves reach 12’ – 13’ high, the harvest takes place, at this point the leaves are yet to sprout, so they are gluten free. This is also the time when young leaves hold their highest nutritional value.

Once harvested, the whole powder and the juice powder are processed immediately -- for this reason timing is of essence!

Juice Powder:

* The grass is immediately taken to a juicer.

* Juice is kept in lower temperature to assure stability.

* Dehydration process takes place soon after.

Whole Powder:

* The grass is immediately taken to be pelletized.

* Pellets are milled in to powder.

Both powders are never exposed to high temperatures. Nature’s Harvest International organic leafs are non-genetically modified, young grasses, freshly harvested, chopped, immediately low temperature dehydrated. Our low temperature drying process assures plant material temperatures never exceed 104°F (40°C), preserving quality and the raw identity of the product.  

Wheatgrass is a natural source of vitamins and minerals -- a few of which are loaded with nutrients called antioxidants, that are good for you, including:

• • • • potassium
      • dietary fiber
      • vitamin A
      • vitamin C
      • vitamin E (alpha tocopherol)
      • vitamin K, thiamin
      • riboflavin
      • niacin
      • vitamin B6
      • pantothenic acid
      • iron
      • zinc
      • copper
      • manganese
      • and selenium
      • Wheatgrass is also a source of protein (less than one gram per 28 grams).

The nutrient content of wheatgrass juice is roughly equivalent to that of dark leafy vegetables .

Meyerowitz, Steve (April 1999). "Nutrition in Grass". Wheatgrass Nature's Finest Medicine: The Complete Guide to Using Grass Foods & Juices to Revitalize Your Health (6th ed.). Book Publishing Company. p. 53. ISBN 978-1-878736-97-0.