What Is Wheatgrass

If you put your lawn trimmings in a blender, what you would get looks exactly like wheat grass juice, but wheat grass juice contains many more nutrients than your average front yard. Wheat grass is a food prepared from the leaves of the common wheat plant. This is the part of the plant that develops before the seeds develop, and is green in color. Usually, wheat grass is harvested 10-11 days after seeding, and before the plants begin to develop seeds.

Wheat grass is sold fresh or as a powder or juice. It is widely believed as having a number of health benefits, including increased intake of vitamins and minerals as well as detoxifying the body.

The use of wheat grass as a food or medicine dates back more than 50 centuries, to ancient Egypt and possibly even early Mesopotamian civilizations. However, its consumption in the Western world did not begin until the 1930s, when a series of experiments conducted by Charles F. Schnabel popularized the plant. Later, Ann Wigmore promoted the value of wheat grass and the food’s popularity soared, despite the fact that Wigmore was considered unorthodox and incompetent as a medical practitioner. Since then, though, many of her claims about wheat grass have begun to see some supporting evidence.

Wheat grass is easily cultivated, either indoors or out. Wheat is a very hardy plant, so it is very easy to grow your own. It also grows quickly into the harvestable wheat grass, sometimes being ready for a first harvest in as little as 10 days. Furthermore, the plants will yield a second and sometimes even a third harvest.

Does it contain gluten?

glutenPure wheat grass that is harvested early enough does not contain gluten. The gluten in wheat comes from the seeds, which develop after the ideal time for harvesting wheat grass. You should carefully check the labeling and make sure you purchase wheat grass powder or juice from reputable retailers to ensure it does not contain gluten.

How can I grow it myself?

grow wheatgrassWheat grass is very easy to grow, and you can grow it either indoors or outdoors. The key is to make sure it stays out of direct sunlight and gets plenty of water. You can harvest your wheat grass twice before you have to start over with new seedlings.

How do I juice wheat grass?

juicerFirst of all, you should never try juicing fresh wheat grass in a normal juicer. The fibrous leaves will clog up your juicer and break it. There are special juicers available that are built to handle wheat grass, and they are typically very affordable. If that’s still beyond your budget, though, you can just use a blender. Blend the leaves very well, and then strain out the solid bits using a fine-holed colander or strainer.

What is a wheat grass shot?

wheatgrass shotA wheatgrass shot is 2 or 4 ounces of juiced wheat grass. Because wheat grass juice has such a bitter taste, most people drink it in one gulp (hence a “shot”) rather than trying to sip it.

Where can I buy wheat grass?

That depends on what kind of wheat grass you’re looking for. If you want to buy fresh wheat grass, check specialty grocers or health food suppliers. If you would rather buy the powder, most nutritional stores and vitamin shops carry wheat grass powder. The juice is available at juice bars and at some nutritional retailers.

What are the benefits of wheat grass?

The benefits of wheat grass can include an increased vitamin and mineral intake as well as several medical benefits. Proponents of wheat grass say that wheat grass can help fight tooth decay, increase your hemoglobin, help heal wounds, as well as prevent and treat diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and arthritis. There is also some evidence that wheat grass can help with digestive and gastrointestinal disorders such as ulcerative colitis.

What are the side effects of wheat grass?

The side effects of wheat grass can include stained teeth, nausea, headaches, diarrhea, constipation, and allergic reactions. For most people, the side effects are outweighed by the benefits of wheat grass.