Health

The Wheatgrass Trend

Nov 22 11:45am

As juice bars pop up all over Australia at a rate of knots, a certain type of grass is becoming more and more ubiquitous.

Wheatgrass has long been hailed as a bit of a magic potion when it comes to self-healing but it's only been since the advent of the juice bar that it's been so widely available.

So, what exactly does it do?

WHAT IS IT?

Wheatgrass refers both to a plant of the genus Agropyron, as well as the nutritious and healthful drink made from its pulped sprouts.

WHY IS SO GOOD FOR ME?

It's claimed that 30mL of juiced wheatgrass is claimed to be nutritionally equivalent to a whole kilo of green leafy vegies. It's also been labelled as a "blood cleanser" and an "energy tonic". On the downside, even wheatgrass' biggest fans will agree it's not the best tasting drink in the world.

BUT WHAT DO SCIENTISTS SAY?

There's little scientific evidence that juiced wheatgrass provides these benefits. And while it may be a good way of getting a limited amount of a whole range of nutrients, it's certainly not a direct substitute for a kilo of vegies. Plus, if it's extracted juice, there's no fibre in it.

8 Comments Report Abuse

1. clancwit - Jul 05 12:00pm

is it ok to have wheatgrass shots when you are pregnant??

2. starlightcinema - Sep 10 12:35pm

Check out http://www.sprout.net.au for some great info on wheatgrass, its benefits and how to grow it yourself. There's also some info on pregnancy and WG there too!

3. malkasong613 - Sep 24 03:27am

Chuckle, the blurb above certainly doesn't sound very nutritious. Sounds like another trend the industry is using to usurp money out of innocent people.

4. sharmasunildatt - Sep 27 10:20pm

wheat leaf grass if the juice is taken for 40 days in the morning it can change the life health wise Kaya Kalp.Grow wheat in 7 Pots And after 10 days cut leave from ist pot & make juice of that and grow wheat in the same pot. On next day cut leaves from the 2nd pot and do the same process to 40 days . i will do wonders. Believe it or not . It is difficult but not impossible.Atleast do it once in your lifetime.
sd sharma
09313852258

5. whatson_girl - Oct 02 07:43am

One main reason Wheat grass is good for you is that it is a concentrated source of Chlorophyll. Chlorophyll has exactly the same atomic structure as Haemoglobin ( The oxygen carrying molecule in red blood cells) expect that Haemoglobin has an Iron ion (Fe) in the centre whereas Chlorophyll has a Magnesium (Mg) ion in the centre. When the chlorophyll goes into the digestive process it gets smashed up and chunks of it pass into the blood stream. As the body rebuilds blood cells it uses these chu

6. whatson_girl - Oct 02 07:45am

cont... chunks as part of the reconstruction process thus building blood cells quicker and increasing oxygen carrying capacity. Animals bled for blood for hospital experiments rebuild blood level twice as fast when feed chlorophyll. Many cancers cannot exist in high oxygen environments that is why it has been said that this product is also cancer fighting and assists in cancer curing - I have no evidence on this matter to test any validity. And there are of course many other sources of chlorophy

7. sugamedia - Nov 04 08:14am

what effects if any would wheatgrass have if consumed with alcohol? i am proposing wheatgrass shots at a bar i work in.

The idea is to at least offer a healthy alternative to tequila shots which are just as bad tasting.

8. simchilli - Mar 23 08:12am

Actually - Barley Grass is even better for you. Check that out if you are interested as it comes in powdered form and is available in health food shops. Barley grass has been very beneficial for patients recovering from a whole range of ailments and has even allowed bone regrowth after cancer.