Adding to the "other sources for Vitamin C" list. If you have wheat in your storage, you can grow your own wheatgrass -
Wheatgrass is all the rage these days. This article examines 7 benefits of wheatgrass that are backed by science.
www.healthline.com
7 Evidence-Based Benefits of Wheatgrass
Popping up everywhere from juice bars to health food stores, wheatgrass is the latest ingredient to enter the limelight in the world of natural health.
Wheatgrass is prepared from the freshly sprouted leaves of the common wheat plant,
Triticum aestivum.
It can be grown and prepared at home or purchased in juice, powder or supplement form.
Some claim it can do everything from detoxifying the liver to improving immune function. However, many of its purported benefits have not yet been proven or studied.
This article takes a closer look at 7 of the evidence-based benefits of drinking wheatgrass.
1. High in Nutrients and Antioxidants
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Wheatgrass is an excellent source of many different vitamins and minerals. It is especially high in vitamins A, C and E, as well as iron, magnesium, calcium and amino acids.
Of its 17 amino acids, eight are considered essential, meaning your body cannot produce them and you must obtain them from food sources (
1Trusted Source).
Like all green plants, wheatgrass also consists of chlorophyll, a type of green plant pigment associated with many health benefits (
2Trusted Source).
It also contains several important antioxidants, including glutathione and vitamins C and E (
3Trusted Source).
Antioxidants are compounds that fight free radicals to prevent cell damage and reduce oxidative stress.
Some studies have found that antioxidants may help protect against certain conditions, such as heart disease, cancer, arthritis and neurodegenerative diseases (
4Trusted Source).
In one study, wheatgrass decreased oxidative stress and improved cholesterol levels in rabbits fed a high-fat diet.
Additionally, supplementing with wheatgrass increased levels of the antioxidants glutathione and vitamin C (
5Trusted Source).
Another test-tube study that evaluated the antioxidant activity of wheatgrass found it reduced oxidative damage to cells (
6Trusted Source).
Given that the research on wheatgrass is limited to test-tube and animal studies, more studies are needed to determine how its antioxidants may affect humans.
2. May Reduce Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy substance found throughout the body. While you need some cholesterol to make hormones and produce bile, too much cholesterol in your blood can block blood flow and increase your risk of heart disease.
Several animal studies have found that wheatgrass may help
lower cholesterol levels.
In one study, rats with high cholesterol were given wheatgrass juice. They experienced decreased levels of total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Interestingly, the effects of wheatgrass were similar to those of atorvastatin, a prescription drug commonly used to treat high blood cholesterol (
7Trusted Source).
Another study looked at its effects in rabbits fed a high-fat diet. After 10 weeks, supplementing with wheatgrass helped lower total cholesterol and increase “good” HDL cholesterol, compared to a control group (
5Trusted Source).
Despite these promising results, further studies are needed to determine how wheatgrass supplements may affect cholesterol levels in humans.
3. Could Help Kill Cancer Cells
Thanks to its high antioxidant content, some test-tube studies have found that wheatgrass may help kill cancer cells.
According to one test-tube study, wheatgrass extract decreased the spread of mouth cancer cells by 41% (
8Trusted Source).
In another test-tube study, wheatgrass induced cell death and reduced the number of leukemia cells by up to 65% within three days of treatment (
9Trusted Source).
Some research indicates that wheatgrass juice may also help, when combined with traditional cancer treatment, minimize adverse effects.
One study found that wheatgrass juice decreased the risk of impaired bone marrow function, a common complication of chemotherapy, in 60 people with breast cancer (
10Trusted Source).
However, there is still no evidence on the potential anti-cancer effects of wheatgrass in humans. More studies are needed to understand how it may impact cancer development in people.
4. May Aid in Blood Sugar Regulation
High blood sugar can cause a wide array of symptoms, including headaches, thirst, frequent urination and fatigue.
Over time, high blood sugar can have serious consequences like nerve damage, skin infections and vision problems.
Some animal studies have found that wheatgrass may help keep blood sugar levels under control.
In one study, giving wheatgrass to diabetic rats modified levels of certain enzymes that help
lower blood sugar levels (
11Trusted Source).
Another study found that treating diabetic rats with wheatgrass extract for 30 days resulted in significantly decreased blood sugar levels (
12Trusted Source).
Research on wheatgrass’ effects on blood sugar is limited to animals. More studies are needed to understand how it may affect blood sugar in humans.
5. May Alleviate Inflammation
Inflammation is a normal response triggered by the immune system to protect the body against injury and infection.
However, chronic
inflammation is believed to contribute to conditions like cancer, heart disease and autoimmune disorders (
13Trusted Source).
Some research shows that wheatgrass and its components may help reduce inflammation.
One small study in 23 people looked at the effects of wheatgrass juice on ulcerative colitis, a disease characterized by inflammation in the large intestine.
Drinking just under 1/2 cup (100 ml) of wheatgrass juice for one month reduced disease severity and rectal bleeding in patients with ulcerative colitis (
14Trusted Source).
Wheatgrass is also rich in chlorophyll, a plant pigment with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. One test-tube study showed that chlorophyll inhibited the activity of a specific protein that triggers inflammation (
15Trusted Source).
Furthermore, another test-tube study found that the compounds in chlorophyll reduced inflammation in cells extracted from the arteries (
16Trusted Source).
Most research is focused on certain compounds in wheatgrass or the effects of wheatgrass on a particular condition. More studies are needed to measure its potential anti-inflammatory effects on the general population.
6. Could Help Promote Weight Loss
Many people have started adding wheatgrass juice to their diet as a quick and convenient way to boost
weight loss.
Wheatgrass contains thylakoids, which are tiny compartments found in plants that contain chlorophyll and absorb sunlight for photosynthesis.
While there is no evidence that wheatgrass itself could increase weight loss, several studies have found that supplementing with thylakoids could enhance satiety and increase weight loss.
In one small study, supplementing a high-carb meal with thylakoids intensified feelings of satiety, compared to a placebo (
17Trusted Source).
Similarly, a study in rats showed that supplementing with thylakoids increased satiety by slowing down the emptying of the stomach and increasing the release of hormones that decrease hunger (
18Trusted Source).
Another study found that giving thylakoids to rats on a high-fat diet resulted in decreased food intake and body weight, compared to a control group (
19Trusted Source).
However, keep in mind that thylakoids can also be found in many other food sources, including green vegetables and leafy greens like spinach, kale and lettuce.
What’s more, these studies used concentrations of thylakoids that were much greater than the concentrations typically found in wheatgrass.
There is also no research on the effects of wheatgrass on weight loss specifically. Further studies are needed to look at its effects on weight loss in humans.
7. Easy to Add to Your Diet
Wheatgrass is widely available in powder, juice and capsule form and can easily be found at health food shops and specialty grocery stores.
Furthermore, if you are able to grow wheatgrass at home, you can use a juicer to make your own wheatgrass juice.
Besides drinking wheatgrass juice, you can use the juice or powder to boost the nutritional content of your favorite green smoothies.
You can also mix wheatgrass juice into salad dressings, teas or other beverages.
Precautions and Side Effects
Wheatgrass is generally considered safe for those with
celiac disease or a sensitivity to gluten. This is because only the seeds of the wheat kernel contain gluten — not the grass.
However, if you do have a
sensitivity to gluten, it’s best to consult your doctor before consuming wheatgrass or stick to products that are certified gluten-free.
Wheatgrass is also very susceptible to mold if you’re growing it at home. If it has a bitter taste or shows signs of spoilage, err on the side of caution and discard it.
Finally, some people report symptoms like nausea, headaches or diarrhea after consuming wheatgrass in juice or supplement form. If you experience these or any other adverse effects, it’s best to decrease your intake.
If negative symptoms persist, consider talking to a healthcare practitioner or eliminating wheatgrass from your diet altogether.
The Bottom Line
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.
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Written by
Rachael Link, MS,
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