Information about Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass refers to the young grass of the common wheat plant, Triticum aestivum, that is freshly juiced or dried into powder for human consumption. Both provide chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes.

History

The consumption of wheatgrass in the occident began in the 1930s with the attempts of Charles F Schnabel to popularize the plant.<ref name="Landline" /> Ann Wigmore continued to contribute to the popularization of wheatgrass in the 1940s. Believing that it contributed to the remission of her cancer, Wigmore wrote several books on the subject.

Usage

The average dosage taken by consumers of wheatgrass is 3.5 grams (powder or tablets). Some also have a fresh squeezed 30ml shot once daily or for more therapeutic benefits a higher dose up to 2–4 oz taken 1-3 times per day on an empty stomach and before meals. For detoxification, some users may increase their intake to 3–4 times per day. It should be noted that consumers with a poor diet may experience nausea on high dosages of wheatgrass. Outdoor wheatgrass is harvested for a few days each year from plants grown in the "bread basket" regions of the US and Canada. Winter wheat requires more than 200 days of slow growth in cold temperatures to reach the peak nutritional content. Even after that long of time, the plant is only 7 to 10 inches high.

Health claims

Proponents of wheatgrass use claim regular ingestion of the plant can improve the digestive system, prevent cancer, diabetes and heart disease, cure constipation, detoxify heavy metals from the bloodstream, cleanse the liver, prevent hair loss and help to make menopause more manageable, as well as promoting general wellbeing.^[1]

"The claims [of wheatgrass proponents] include prevention of cancer, prevention of heart disease, prevention of diabetes, chelation or detoxification of heavy metals, cleansing, liver cleansing and prevention of hair loss and none of these claims have actually been substantiated in the scientific literature." ~ Dr Samir Samman^[1]

One of the most popular claims about wheatgrass, and one that is frequently made by both supporters and retailers, is that 1 serving of wheatgrass is as nutritionally valuable as a kilogram of green vegetables.^[2] This claim most likely originates from a statement commonly attributed to the "father of wheatgrass", Charles F. Schnabel, who is alleged to have said that "Fifteen pounds of wheatgrass is equivalent to 350 pounds of the choicest vegetables".<ref name="Choice" /> However, 30 grams of cooked spinach and broccoli contains more of certain vitamins and minerals (including vitamin C, calcium and folic acid) than the equivalent amount of wheatgrass.^[2] A garden salad of the size commonly sold in fast food outlets contains vastly more of a range of nutrients than a 30 ml shot of wheatgrass.^[2]

Schnabel's research was with wheatgrass grown outdoors in Kansas. His wheatgrass required 200 days of growth, growing slowly through the winter and early spring, when it was harvested at the "jointing or reproductive stage." It was at this stage that the plant reached its peak nutritional potential.[1] It was then dehydrated and made into powders and tablets for human consumption. Wheatgrass grown indoors, in trays for ten days contain similar nutritional content.[2] Outdoor grown wheatgrass is still manufactured in tablet and powdered forms.

The chlorophyll molecule is structurally similar to hemoglobin, leading some to believe that wheatgrass helps blood flow, digestion and general detoxification of the body. Although no research exists that directly connects chlorophyll with blood building, nutrients such as iron that are associated with dark green leafy vegetables have been shown to be important for healthy blood.

Ann Wigmore encouraged her students to dehydrate raw foods at low temperatures to preserve their nutrients.

Popular culture

In the FX Networks television series Nip/Tuck, Dr. Christian Troy grows and drinks wheatgrass in numerous episodes.

In The Simpsons episode "When You Dish upon a Star", Homer invents a cocktail made of wheatgrass and vodka called a "lawnmower". Also appears in the episode "Make Room for Lisa" where Lisa is given a shot of wheatgrass juice by the owner of the New Age store who interprets Lisa's disgust at the taste as a sign of working taste buds.

Wheatgrass is referenced in Sex and the City when a character that Samantha is dating has 'funky tasting spunk.' Wheatgrass was referenced as a good way to change this.

Notes

External links

• Internet Health Library
• Wheatgrass and Mold
• Wheat Grass Juice May Improve Hematological Toxicity Related to Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer Patients: A Pilot Study Nutrition and Cancer 2007, Vol. 58, No. 1, Pages 43-48
• Wheat grass juice reduces transfusion requirement in patients with thalassemia major: a pilot study. Indian Pediatr. 2004 Jul;41(7):716-20.
• Wheat grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2002 Apr;37(4):444-9.