The Benefit of Wheatgrass

Identification

• Wheatgrass is a type of young grass, Triticum aestivum, of the wheat family that contains a variety of concentrated nutrients like vitamins A, C and E, iron, calcium, magnesium, amino acids, and chlorophyll. Marketers and herbal remedy practitioners tout the benefits of wheatgrass as a nutritional supplement and believe that it strengthens the immune system, destroys harmful bacteria in the digestive system, removes waste from the body, and can be helpful in the treatment of a variety of serious illnesses.

Uses

• Fans and marketers of wheatgrass suggest the supplementation is helpful in the battle against cancer, anemia, diabetes, constipation, infections, skin conditions, colon cleansing, ulcerative colitis, joint pain and a multitude of other afflictions. It is sometimes promoted as a means of meeting the minimum daily requirements for vegetable consumption. However, Dr. Brent A. Bauer, an internist with the Mayo Clinic, indicates that insufficient research has been conducted to verify these claims.

Warning

• Although wheatgrass is typically considered safe to consume, it can result in nausea, headaches, hives or swelling of the throat. As a substance that is normally consumed in a raw state, there does exist the danger that bacteria or mold hides within the grass. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid this product, as should those with an allergy to wheat or grass, or individuals with celiac disease or an intolerance of gluten.

Considerations

• The National Council Against Health Fraud states that the concept of utilizing grass as a dietary supplement came from a Boston-area resident, Ann Wigmore, who lived from 1900 to 1994. Wheatgrass comes in a number of shapes including tablets, capsules, liquid extracts and tinctures. It is often added to smoothies and teas. The Mayo Clinic suggests that wheatgrass, when used in moderation, may provide at least some interest to a healthy diet in the form of a different manner of consuming the aforementioned vitamins.