Wheatgrass Benefits

The recent discovery of the health benefits of wheatgrass has made it very popular among health and fitness enthusiasts, as a remedy for almost all health conditions. Whether you have a skin problem, a hair problem, or any other health problem, wheatgrass is the remedy to almost all of them.

Wheatgrass is simply the grass of the wheat plant, and is consumed mainly in the manner of juice. It is even dried, and used as a powder itself, or then as a capsule or a tablet. It contains several nutrients, chlorophyll being the highest, followed by vitamins and minerals. If you think wheatgrass is only available in organic health stores and is circulated among a small circle, you are mistaken. You can grow this plant in your own home, in a very simple manner. Just put some wheat grains in fresh soil in a pot, give it adequate sunlight, and water the plant daily. You will notice it begins to sprout in two days. Within about 10-14 days, the grass reaches a height of about 12-15 cm, and is ready to be harvested. You can then prepare a juice from it, and consume it. If you don't like the taste of wheatgrass, you can combine it with other fruits and vegetables.

With its richness in all the nutrients healthy for the body, wheatgrass can benefit us in a variety of manners. Apart from containing about 70% chlorophyll, it is also rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, sodium, potassium and cobalt. It absorbs almost all the minerals present in soil, and provides us with the goodness of those. Not only that, wheatgrass is extremely rich in protein, and contains a rich amount of amino acids and enzymes. The benefits of this wonder food apply to the following areas.

Hair
Vitamins and minerals present in wheatgrass give it the ability to restore hair to its normal color. This means if you are suffering from premature graying, wheatgrass is the perfect solution for your problem. People have also experienced relief from dandruff, because it has detoxifying abilities. In fact, if you apply wheatgrass juice topically on your scalp, not only will it eliminate dandruff, it will also repair damaged hair.

Skin
To help you get rid of all the skin problems you are plagued by, wheatgrass is the best solution. Firstly, wheatgrass helps in delaying signs of aging. Moreover, it tones and firms the skin on the face. Secondly, it has the ability to detoxify the body. This means you can bid goodbye to acne, and have beautiful, glowing skin. Thirdly, if you have a skin disease like psoriasis or eczema, wheatgrass is going to help you get rid of that too. Again, topical application of fresh wheatgrass juice on the affected area will make a big difference to your condition.

Weight Loss
For wheatgrass to be effective as a tool for weight loss, it should be consumed in a dehydrated form. This is because the juice is not as fibrous as wheatgrass in its raw, dehydrated form. Wheatgrass is highly fibrous, is very filling, and expands in the stomach when consumed. This means your appetite is going to reduce considerably when you take wheatgrass. To avail of this benefit, powder dried wheatgrass and drink it with water. See the difference it makes to your weight. If you grow wheatgrass at home, dehydrate it, and make the powder from it yourself, it is definitely going to provide you other benefits as well.

Fertility
Wheatgrass has the ability to neutralize the acidity levels in the body. Once this is done, the body becomes healthier, and the uterus provides a healthy environment for the egg to fertilize. Several women have experienced the benefits of wheatgrass in this regard. Though its effect may take a little time to materialize, it is proven, and will help you in this regard. It also helps in regulating the menstrual cycle, among women who face a problem with irregular periods.

Cancer
The chlorophyll content in wheatgrass makes it an effective defense against the development of cancer. Chlorophyll has the ability to destroy carcinogens, that are responsible for the growth and multiplication of cancerous cells. It has been particularly helpful in controlling the risk of lung cancer in smokers. This however, does not mean that you can continue smoking and just drink wheatgrass juice along with it. We are all aware of the side effects of smoking. Though it has the ability to reduce the risk of cancer, it cannot be called a sure shot defense against this disease. Even then, continue drinking wheatgrass juice, and do your body some good.

Anemia
When consumed daily, wheatgrass juice builds red blood cells. Chlorophyll increases the body's ability to absorb oxygen into the blood stream. This helps in improving the red blood cell count, and is therefore, helpful for those who suffer from low hemoglobin levels and anemia.

Other Benefits
Apart from all the wonderful benefits mentioned here, there are some other ways in which wheatgrass benefits our body.

• As mentioned earlier, wheatgrass has a detoxifying effect on the body. That means, all the harmful toxins are cleared and the liver is purified when we consume wheatgrass in any form.
• A regular dose of wheatgrass is useful in eliminating body odor, including bad breath.
• It keeps the common cold at bay, and if you have a cold, it helps in clearing out congestion in the sinuses.
• Wheatgrass helps in eliminating harmful, disease-causing bacteria from the stomach, and prevents further growth of such bacteria.
• It also has the ability to stabilize blood pressure levels, thereby reducing the risk of heart disease.

Wheatgrass can cause nausea, diarrhea and headaches if one is allergic or consumes an excess of it. To keep the side effects away, start with its consumption in a small amount. Start with a shot of juice of about 30 ml. As you begin to develop a taste for it, increase the dosage to 60 ml. If you are taking wheatgrass powder, a teaspoon sprinkled on your food, mixed in a juice, or just consumed with water should suffice. Just like any other natural remedy, the effects of wheatgrass will be seen when consumed regularly, and over time.

Now that you are aware of the wonderful benefits of wheatgrass and its effects on your body, what are you waiting for? Start growing this plant at home, and make sure you derive all its benefits. It's simple and it's inexpensive.

Disclaimer: This Buzzle article is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.