Wheatgrass juice is derived from grass grown from sprouted wheatgrass berries. The juice is dark emerald green in color and has an extremely sweet, distinct taste. Wheatgrass juice contains a variety of potent antioxidant and anti-aging nutrients, including vitamin A, vitamin B complex, vitamin E, and an abundance of minerals, including calcium, iron, magnesium, and potassium. It is also rich in amino acids, which are necessary for the body’s manufacture of essential proteins.
Nutrient rich wheatgrass juice first became popular in the United States in the 1960s and 1970s, largely due to the late Dr. Ann Wigmore, founder of the Hippocrates Health Institute, which was later renamed The Ann Wigmore Foundation. After years of poor health, Dr. Wigmore discovered the health benefits of wheatgrass juice which she consumed daily. She then spent the next thirty-five years of her life promoting natural healing methods, such as raw food diets and wheatgrass juicing, and became one of the leading voices in the natural health food movement.
Wheatgrass Nutrition
Perhaps the most important nutrient supplied by wheatgrass juice is chlorophyll, which is contained in the juice in rich supply. Chlorophyll is often called the “blood” of green plants because of how closely its chemical make-up and molecular structure resemble hemoglobin, a primary component of human blood. Like hemoglobin, chlorophyll delivers live-sustaining oxygen to the body’s cells and tissues. It also aids the liver and other organs in eliminating toxins, and prevents carcinogenic(cancer-causing) agents from binding to the DNA of healthy cells.
Wheatgrass Health benefits
Among the other benefits of wheatgrass juice is it’s ability to enhance the overall health and functioning blood cells, muscles, bones, and teeth, as well as the kidneys, liver, and spleen. Wheatgrass juice also has potent hypotensive properties, which means it helps regulate and reduce high blood pressure. Regular consumption of wheatgrass juice can also help improve circulation and the body;s metabolism. Because of wheatgrass juices powerful detoxifying effects, initially, this juice should be taken in small amounts-one to two ounces per day-until your body becomes accustomed to it. After that, you can consume as much as desired.
Another positive benefit of wheatgrass juice is that it does not contain gluten, so most wheat-sensitive individuals can drink it without experiencing negative side effects. However, anyone with wheat allergies, especially those with advanced sensitivities, should consider a challenge test before making wheatgrass a regular part of their diet.
Wheatgrass juice is prepared by grinding fresh wheatgrass. To grow wheatgrass, place wheatberries in a flat planting tray with high-quality soil. When the grass is about six inches high, it is ready to harvest. Use a wheatgrass juicer(or other high quality masticating juicer) to grind fresh grass. These juicers are available in many health food stores and online sites as both manual and electric models.
Where To get Wheatgrass
Be aware however, that growing wheatgrass is both time consuming(it takes about a week for the grass to grow) and space consuming (for daily juice, you will need window space for five to seven large growing trays). Unless you are willing and able to put in the time and effort to create your own daily wheatgrass supply, it is recommended that you purchase the juice at a health food store or health food co-op. A growing number of supermarkets also carry wheatgrass juice, and there are online websites that offer fresh-squeezed wheatgrass juice that is delivered daily right to your home.
