Walk into any specialty juice bar and you will see a bed of wheatgrass along the wall ready to be made into shots. It is often touted as a superfood because it is high in phytonutrients, chlorophyll and enzymes. Many claim it can detox the body and stimulate the immune system but what benefits does it really have?
Wheatgrass is around 70% chlorophyll, a compound in many plants that gives them their dark green color. Typically the darker the green color the higher the chlorophyll content. It acts like an antioxidant in the body. Chlorophyll acts as an antioxidant that can help fight free radicals and oxidative stress. It can also help reduce DNA damage by binding to carcinogenic compounds in the body.
Multiple animal models have shown wheat grasses ability to regulate blood sugar levels. Wheat grass extracts that contained tannins, flavonoids, saponins, and sterols had positive impacts on blood glucose and diabetic associated complications. More research needs to be done to see if these same benefits can translate to humans.
The antioxidant compounds and phytochemicals in wheatgrass such as Vitamin C, Vitamin E, and chlorophyll can also support a reduction in inflammation. The antioxidant capacity of these compounds in some studies has been shown to support a reduction in markers of inflammation. These compounds could also have an impact on normalizing lipid levels.
There is still a lot of research to be done on its benefits to humans but wheat grass seems to be potent, nutrient dense superfood with many benefits.
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These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.