The Benefits of Wheatgrass Juice
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 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
Synonyms: 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.
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