History of Wheatgrass Wheatgrass has been sold in the United States since around the 1930s, but it’s really began taking off and becoming even more popular in the past several years, and can now be found at many juice-bars and healthy lifestyle stores and restaurants.
The credit for the recent popularity actually started in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s,
when a woman by the name of Ann Wigmore discovered the healing benefits of living foods – particularly wheatgrass – when she was diagnosed with cancer and was cancer-free within a year! Ann Wigmore woman really changed the world of eating a healthy, plant-based, living-foods lifestyle…with wheatgrass being the pinnacle of her healing regimen. The regular intake of wheatgrass for its healing properties can certainly be attributed to her.
What is Wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass is the “baby form” of wheat as most people know it, however, there is
no gluten in wheatgrass. In more traditional diets, wheat is used only when it is fully mature and the seeds have completely formed. Wheatgrass, on the other hand, is freshly sprouted and still green!
Like plants and vegetables, wheatgrass contains chlorophyll – it’s actually 70 percent chlorophyll – yowsa! It also contains 17 amino acids, is rich in protein, is packed with enzymes and phytonutrients, and delivers vitamins A, B-complex, C, E and K. Not too shabby!
So How Do I Take Wheatgrass?
Because of all the valuable nutrients and health benefits, wheatgrass is quickly becoming the powerful force it was meant to be. It is also a powerful way to assist you in getting the recommended 5 to 9 servings of vegetables (not that green juicing doesn’t do this as well!).
When taking fresh wheatgrass, it either has to be juiced or, if you are “brave”, chewed and spit out (masticated). This is because our bodies cannot digest grasses! Once you get on the regimen, your body will start to cleanse itself of the many toxins associated with everyday life.
It is suggested you drink it straight with no other liquid, but for many (me included) this can be a bit difficult. So, you can also take it slightly diluted with your favorite green juice or use green juice as a “chaser.” Wheatgrass can be pretty strong tasting and some of you may experience a little bit of nausea when starting a wheat grass regimen – don’t worry! Sometimes it still upsets my stomach a little bit, but this is normal, because the release of all those toxins is sure to cause a little bit of queasiness. This will generally pass with regular intake of the wheatgrass shots.
So, if you are doing fresh wheatgrass shots, ideally you will drink a 2-ounce shot in the morning on an empty stomach, and it is suggested to do the same in the afternoon.
If you are having any issues with fresh wheatgrass – whether getting the fresh stuff, or being able to drink it completely due to overwhelming nausea or other issues – simply try a good powdered form (these do not seem to cause nausea at all!).
Health Claims of Wheatgrass
In addition to the above nutritional info, wheatgrass is about the
best source of chlorophyll you can find and is also a complete protein. Some of its health claims include cleanses and detoxifies the colon; reduces cholesterol, regulates blood sugar; reduces high blood pressure; increases hemoglobin production; enhances your immune system; and is potentially able to cure cancer!
Now that’s sexy!
