Wheatgrass

You probably have heard of a certain supplement called Wheatgrass sometime or another but never really knew what it was. So, what is wheatgrass? According to Mayoclinic.com, "Wheatgrass is a nutrient-rich type of young grass in the wheat family that is sold in a variety of forms as a dietary supplement."  It can be taken in many forms, such as powder, tablet, or even in a juice or smoothie.

On the packaging, it claims that this grass "is the most potent, convenient & affordabe way to help achieve your 5+ daily servings of vegetables" and that it "boosts energy & immune system." On the back of the bottle, it also lists a bajillion health benefits of this grass:


- increases & sustains energy naturally
- detoxifies & cleanses your body
- high alkalinity helps balance acidic pH levels
- strengthens immune system
-complete food with enzymes & all essential amino acids
- natural source of antioxidants to help repair damaged cells
- field grown outdoors through winter
- vegan, gluten free and raw


And, if you're not convinced yet, it also states that "Per 8 gram serving, Amzazing Grass Wheat Grass offers:"
- a naturally balanced source of Phytonutrients & Carotenoids
- 2x more dietary fiber than an 8 gram serving of out bran
- 2x more iron than a 30 gram serving of fresh spinach
- excellent source of folic acid, beta carotene & vitamin C
- 25% Green vegetable protein
- 100% Whole leaf powder... Not from juice!

Of course, for every “miracle” product out there on the market, the consumer would also like to know the cons and negative side effects (if any) of the product. According to many reliable sources, there is still no hard evidence for the health claims that wheatgrass proclaims.

According to http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/health/HealthRepublish_1634415.htm:

“The review [on wheatgrass], published in the Australian Consumers' Association Choice magazine, concludes that while wheatgrass has some nutritional value, it's no miracle drink.
The review found only "limited supporting evidence" for claims of the anti-inflammatory and wound-healing properties of wheatgrass and little confirmation for claims it builds red blood cells and improves circulation and tissue oxygenation.”

Many health policy officials and doctors also emphasize that wheat grass health claims may be a bit over the top with lack of scientific support. According to Viola Korczak, an Australian Consumers’ Association health policy officer, "It's certainly not bad for you, but the claims that are made are perhaps a lot of hype without any real evidence.” Dr Peter Clifton, head of CSIRO's nutrition clinic, also says that wheatgrass is "very trendy ... but it probably isn't any different from any other type of grass".

There are also possible side effects when taking wheatgrass, such as detoxification side effects, nausea, and allergic reactions.

Detoxification side effects: The possible detoxification side effects of wheat grass are an upset stomach, diarrhea, skin outbreaks, queasiness, and mild fever.
Nausea: Wheatgrass does not blend well with other foods in the stomach so drinking it on an empty stomach is the best way to prevent nausea.
Allergic Reaction: Individuals who are allergic to wheat should also not take this supplement. Allergic reaction could lead to a swollen throat or hives.

In purchasing a health product, one must research and review both the pros and cons of the product, in order to weight the benefits and risks associated with it. The advantages of taking wheatgrass is that it contains many antioxidants and beneficial nutrients for one’s body. The disadvantage is that it is quite expensive, does not contain dietary benefits, and there is no solid evidence to support the belief that it may reverse the symptoms of cancer.