Wheatgrass has been an integral part of Indian food culture for decades because of its therapeutic properties.
Wheat Grass refers to the young grass of the staple wheat plant, Triticum aestivum, which is freshly juiced or dried into powder for either animal or human consumption.
Nutrition content
It majorly provides chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and enzymes.
Amino Acids - essential for muscular strength and formation of plasma, hormones, antibodies.
Amino acids profile - aspartic acid, threonine, asparagine, glutamine, proline, glycine, arginine, alanine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, tyrosine, phenylalanine, lysine, histidine, tryptophan and serine are present.
Minerals - calcium, potassium, iron, magnesium, sodium, choline, sulphur , iodine, phosphorus, copper.
Vitamins- richest source of vitamins A, B, C, E and K
Enzymes - Main digestive elements
Protease- protein digestion
Cytochrome - are proteins containing haeme as a cofactor
Amylase- for carbohydrate digestion
Lipase- Lipid digestion.
Health benefits
- It’s an appetite suppressant
- Helps improve metabolism
- It improves digestion as it is high in enzymes.
- It enriches the blood, removes blood disorders, so it is commonly known as the “green blood” due to 70% chlorophyll content.
- It may lower blood pressure and sugar levels.
- It has antibacterial properties that help cleanse the liver.
- High chlorophyll content helps oxygenate the brain and tissues to function at an optimum level.
- It acts as a superior detoxifying agent and neutralises toxins.
- It helps treat ulcerative colitis (inflammatory bowel disease)
- Reduces varicose veins and heal leg ulcers.
- Treats inflammation of the uterine cervix, get rid of parasitic vaginal infection.
- Healthy skin, better complexion and may help prevent greying of hair.
How to include in a diet
Wheatgrass, in the form of juice or powder, is highly beneficial for health. One can easily grow it in pots or deep trays conveniently in their homes.
If you opt to use wheatgrass powder, then simply add one spoonful of the powder in a glass of water and its ready to consume. It’s equally important to include fruits, vegetables, sprouted legumes, nuts and seeds in your diet.
In conclusion, it is considered a complete food as it contains a wide array of amino acids, and important vitamins, and minerals. It is an inexpensive and effective source which provides medicinal benefits for a rejuvenating body.
References
Sowjanya D, et al (2015).Wheat Grass Juice - Triticum aestivum Linn’ a Therapeutic Tool in Pharmaceutical Research, an Overview.IJPPR.
Hate J, et al (2017).A Review: Wheat Grass and its Health Benefits. IJPPR,vol-9