The Benefits of Wheatgrass
There's been alot of interest in the amounts of nutrients in wheatgrass lately, and with good reason. Wheat grass is loaded with antioxidants (a collection amino acids, enzymes, essential fatty acids, vitamins and minerals) which can counteract the damage caused by free radicals in our bodies. (During normal metabolism our bodies produce waste products with active atoms attached called "free radicals." These free radicals can eventually cause cell damage). Wheat grass, then, helps rid our bodies of these free radicals.
Is wheat grass right for you? The following information on wheat grass can help you decide if you wish to incorporate wheat grass into your overall health regimen. Before starting any change in diet, remember that it's always good to consult your doctor.
Seven Ways Wheatgrass Helps Your Body
Author: Kristin Johnson
Wheatgrass has gained popularity in the last several years, and the wheatgrass cure has been around since Dr. Ann Wigmore (1909-1994) promoted it as a miracle cure over four decades ago after a raw food diet of sprouts made her cancer-free.
You've seen signs in health food stores and at juice bars. Wheatgrass powder and capsules line the shelves at health food shops. You've consumed wheatgrass juice at a juice bar. Wheatgrass juice and wheatgrass juicers have become staples in the health food community, but what are the benefits of drinking wheatgrass juice--and how do you use wheatgrass juice anyway?
Wheatgrass can do amazing things for your body and health. That's why it's called "nature's great healer." You may notice a "rush" after your drink wheatgrass for the first time, as if your body is being re-energized. This "rush" is wheatgrass working in your bloodstream to restore your good health.
Seven health benefits of wheatgrass:
1. Wheatgrass is an energizer for mind and body. The vitality obtained from wheatgrass juice is remarkable. Two ounces of fresh juice, drunk immediately after juicing, equals three pounds of organic vegetables in vitamins and minerals, or the equivalent of two cups of coffee. You'll feel refreshed and energized throughout the day.
2. It's nutritious. Wheatgrass juice contains 90 out of 102 vitamins, minerals, and nutrients, including vitamins A, B (niacin, riboflavin, thiamine), C, E and K, as well as choline, calcium, chlorine, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium, sulphur, cobalt and zinc, not to mention twenty amino acids. It is a whole meal and a complete protein with about thirty enzymes and is approximately 70% crude chlorophyll. Humans can easily digest chlorophyll, and dark green plants are an excellent source of lutein, essential in eye health. While wheatgrass contains small amounts of B vitamins, the overall nutritional value does great things for your body. It's rich in folic acid, which is important for women, especially women of childbearing age.
3. Wheatgrass builds the blood. Because chlorophyll is nearly identical to the hemoglobin in red blood cells, wheatgrass juice has been proven to build red blood cells quickly after ingestion. It also speeds up blood circulation, cleanses the blood of wastes, lowers high blood pressure and stimulates healthy tissue cell growth.
4. Wheatgrass cleanses the body, according to Dr. Ann Wigmore (THE WHEATGRASS BOOK) and Dr. Bernard Jensen (FOODS THAT HEAL). Wheatgrass juice will drain the lymph system, which carries away many toxins from body cells. When an imbalance exists--sore tendons and joints, degenerative disease, etc--there is a natural buildup of mucous in the lymph in that area. Wheatgrass juice will break down the mucous and allow it to drain. In addition, it supplies iron, which cleanses the blood and helps prevent anemia, especially in women. Note that pregnant or breastfeeding women shouldn't use wheatgrass, but should get iron from supplements.
5. It helps in weight control. The nutritional value of wheatgrass juice is so high that many people don't feel those "cravings" that lead to overeating. This is a wonderful aid in weight control. Since it increases circulation, aids in metabolism, and helps blood sugar levels, it's an effective way to keep your weight down. You'll feel fuller faster, since digestion gets a boost.
6. It may prevent osteoporosis. Wheatgrass is rich in vitamin K, which is essential in bone formation, and studies are being conducted on osteoporosis and a wheatgrass diet.
7. Wheatgrass juice boosts the immune system. The chlorophyll in wheatgrass juice increases function of the heart, helps the vascular system, the uterus, the intestine and the lungs. Can all this prevent or cure cancer? While there are claims that wheatgrass can prevent cancer, and anecdotal evidence, no scientific study has linked a wheatgrass diet to a cure for cancer. Some experts in the raw food community note that animals who graze and ingest chlorophyll still develop cancer. However, geneticist Dr. Judy Ford believes that a daily shot of wheatgrass will improve your well-being.
How do you drink wheatgrass juice to get its maximum benefits? Three tips for enjoying wheatgrass juice...
1) Grow it: While you can drink wheatgrass from Jamba Juice or swallow wheatgrass capsules, experts agree that tray-grown wheatgrass that has reached its full nutritional maturity is richer in vitamins, minerals and amino acids.
2) Juice it: You can buy wheatgrass whole in your local health food store, or you can grow your own with a wheatgrass sprouter kit. To prepare wheatgrass juice, you must have a wheatgrass juicer. The automatic juicers will save you time.
3) Drink it fast: Your first wheatgrass shot will be two ounces, or one handful of wheatgrass. Drink it immediately after juicing. You may not get accustomed to the flavor, but wheatgrass fans soon adjust and relish the energy wheatgrass juice gives. You can juice wheatgrass together with apples or oranges to suit your taste. Wheatgrass lovers shouldn't drink more than four ounces a day. It's not necessary. Two to four ounces carries enough potency.
A side note: Experts such as Dr. Diana Schwarzbein advocate vegetable juice over fruit juice, but recommend a diet rich in whole foods. Wheatgrass is just one part of a healthy regimen, but it's an excellent nutritional change.
The switch to wheatgrass is popular for good salutary reasons. You love your body. So do something good for it today.
About the author:
Kristin Johnson is health editor for http://www.livingright.com;, source for the Omega 8003 juicer, the powerful top-selling juicer for fruits and vegetables, and other wheatgrass juicers from Omega, Wheateena, Miracle, Samson, and Green Star.
Juicers Good for Juicing Wheatgrass:
Samson Juicer GB-9001; Omega 8003, Omega 8005, Miracle Electric Wheatgrass Juicer (MJ550), Wheateena Marvel Electric Wheatgrass Juicer (Green Label Model # 5001), Wheateena Marvel Electric Wheatgrass Juicer, SamsonUltra Twin Gear Juicer, Green Star GS3000, Green Star GS1000, SoloStar II Single Gear Juicer.
Wheagtrass, wheatgarss, whetagrass, whaetgrass, wehatgrass, and wheatgras are all common typos for wheatgrass. Juising, jiucing, juicign, jjuicing, juuicing, juiicing, juiccing, juiciing, juicinng, and juicingg are all common typos for juicing. Jjuiser, juacer, juicre, jiucer, jjuicer, juuicer, juiicer, juiccer, juiceer and juicerr are all typos for juicer.
