There’s a lot to love about wheat grass. It’s high in nutrients, including vitamins C, A, and E, and it contains 17 amino acids and plenty of antioxidants. Those are just some of its nutrients that combine to deliver a multitude of health benefits. There’s also its chlorophyll content, which is the green plant pigment that’s full of antioxidants that support the immune system.
Despite its perks, there are people who avoid wheat grass and even wheat grass juice because of the earthy, sometimes bitter taste. However, there are plenty of ways to enhance its flavor and still enjoy the many supportive benefits. But first, let’s explore exactly what wheat grass is.
You may have heard of wheat grass as something animals eat, but it’s actually a superfood for humans, too, because it contains many vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients. In terms of its actually biology, wheat grass is the young grass that appears on the top of the wheat plant. It’s mainly grown in Europe and the United States.
Growers harvest wheat grass just 7 to 10 days after sprouting to ensure it’s the best quality. Then they grind the leaves and use the resulting product to make powder, capsules, and other supplement forms. It’s important to know that wheat grass can contain mold and bacteria from its growing environment, which is why you always want to choose the highest-quality supplement you can find.
Like all dietary supplements, wheat grass in its powder form is not a replacement for whole foods. But because most adults don’t have balanced diets, they often turn to wheat grass and other superfoods to boost their nutrient intake. One reason wheat grass is so popular is that it’s available in so many forms, including juice, tablets, powders, capsules, and raw.
There are no definitive studies proving wheat grass can cure or treat any health conditions. Yet the array of nutrients it contains—such as iron, calcium, enzymes, magnesium, and proteins—may hold many health benefits.
Fans of wheat grass anecdotally tout it as a treatment for side effects related to cancer and chemotherapy, as well as diabetes, ulcerative colitis, joint pain, and anemia. Some of those potential healing qualities are thought to be related to its anti-inflammatory qualities.
Researchers back up some of the claims, noting that wheat grass is an antibacterial that works inside the body to speed healing. They cite preliminary research that shows wheat grass helps prevent tooth decay, treat eczema and psoriasis, heal skin, and improve digestion and blood disorders.
Wheat grass is not bad for most people. Anyone who has celiac disease, wheat allergies, grass allergies, or gluten intolerance should avoid it, though.
Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not consume wheat grass unless their doctors approve it. That’s because it can carry food-borne diseases, as mentioned above, which pregnant and nursing women are especially susceptible to. Such illnesses can be minor, but they can also result in miscarriages, stillbirths, and other major health problems.
Those with diabetes and who are scheduled for surgery likely want to steer clear of wheat grass, too, because it can lower blood sugar levels. If you’re unsure, however, you can always check with your doctor to get their recommendation.
Anyone who tries wheat grass should begin with small amounts to ensure they don’t experience side effects, which may include nausea or constipation.
When people think about mixing wheat grass powder with something, smoothies often come to mind first. Sure enough, we’re sharing a great smoothie recipe below, plus juicer and dressing recipes to help you get the benefits of this superfood.
Want to use your wheat grass powder to make a tasty smoothie? Simply follow this recipe from BlenderRecipes.com.
Combine and blend ingredients, then enjoy.
Check out this easy way to make wheat grass juicers from Choc & Juice.
Add spinach, cucumber, and apple into your juicer, then stir the lemon juice, our wheat grass, and water (if need be) into the juice.
Integrate some wheat grass into your favorite salad with this tasty lime cilantro dressing from Some Girls Vegan News.
Puree all the ingredients until smooth and creamy. Then, add seasoning to taste and enjoy with your preferred salad mix.
Recipes are great, but you don’t always have the time or need to make one. When you’re on-the-go or pressed for time, you may just want a quick way to make wheat grass powder taste better.
One of the best ways to start is to choose high-quality wheat grass or wheat grass powder. You want one made from young, fresh wheat grass, because it will quell the potentially bitter taste and smell.
There are many ways to enhance the flavor of wheat grass and wheat grass powder, including:
Add it to apple juice
Mix with honey
Add wheat grass to milk
Stir it into yogurt
Blend wheat grass into ice cream or custard
Add coconut water or milk
Blend the powder with a few grapes morning coffee or latte
Like all supplements, the quality of wheat grass powders and other dietary supplements varies among producers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allows manufacturers to serve as their watchdogs on ingredients, handling, and processing. As a result, it’s essential for you to read the labels of any dietary supplements you plan to take and understand what is in them. You can often find additional information on the company’s website. Your physician is also a good source of information about what supplements will support your health goals, and which you may want to avoid.
When you decide to try wheat grass, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a higher quality option than Brightcore Nutrition’s Sweet Wheat. It’s available in both organic wheat grass juice powder or capsules. The benefits include that it’s certified organic, vegan, non-GMO, soy-free, and gluten-free. Plus, you’ll find no artificial binders, fillers, or colors in Sweet Wheat, which naturally boosts energy, alkalizes acid, and contains the best vitamins and minerals to support your health.
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