Healthy nutrition is more than just a means of losing or keeping off excess weight. When done right, a well-planned nutrition routine can also do wonders for your overall health and well-being.
According to Dr. Lisa Ravindra, an internal medicine specialist at Rush University Medical Center, extreme diet fads aren’t sustainable strategies. For long-term weight and health maintenance, adopting a sensible approach that prioritize nutrition is the way to go. [1]
Dr. Ravindra recommends eating more whole foods like fruits, vegetables and whole grains, which are all highly nutritious and provide plenty of fiber. She also suggests cutting back on processed or packaged foods, especially those pumped with artificial sweeteners and other harmful ingredients.
Research has found that these foods can alter your intestinal microflora in a way that triggers an unhealthy response from your immune system. Over time, this response can damage healthy cells, tissues and organs, leaving you with serious health problems. [2]
Fortunately, studies show that you can prevent this from happening by implementing healthy lifestyle changes and sticking to a diet that’s low in processed meat and junk foods. Because these foods disturb your gut microbial balance, they should be avoided and replaced by whole foods that support healthy gut microbial diversity. And one of the best foods for this is organic wheat grass.
What is wheat grass?
Wheat grass refers to the green leaves of a young wheat plant, Triticum aestivum, or bread wheat, being the most common species. Wheat grass is harvested within the first few weeks of growth, when the leaves still resemble common garden grass. Because of its abundance of essential nutrients and reported health benefits, wheat grass is considered a superfood and can be found either in juice or powder form. [3]
Nutritional analysis of wheat grass suggests that it is a rich source of protein, fiber and many essential vitamins and minerals, most notably vitamins A, C, E and K, B-complex vitamins, copper, iron, manganese and zinc. In fact, wheat grass has one of the highest concentrations of highly bioavailable nutrients among plant-based foods. [4]
A 28-gram serving (1 ounce) of clean, organic wheat grass can give you the following nutrients: [5]
- Protein, 16% of the Daily Value (DV)
- Dietary fiber, 32% of the DV
- Vitamin A, 240% of the DV
- Vitamin B1 (Thiamin), 5867% of the DV
- Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), 122353% of the DV
- Vitamin B3 (Niacin), 10080% of the DV
- Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), 2880% of the DV
- Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine), 15600% of the DV
- Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin), 7% of the DV
- Vitamin C, 93% of the DV
- Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol), 12800% of the DV
- Vitamin K, 350% of the DV
- Calcium, 12% of the DV
- Copper, 680% of the DV
- Iron, 356% of the DV
- Magnesium, 8% of the DV
- Manganese, 56000% of the DV
- Phosphorus, 11% of the DV
- Potassium, 24% of the DV
- Selenium, 40% of the DV
- Zinc, 3307% of the DV
Aside from these, wheat grass also contains a variety of functional enzymes and beneficial phytonutrients, such as chlorophyll, bioflavonoids and indole compounds. A vibrant green pigment in plants, chlorophyll is said to be structurally similar to hemoglobin, the protein that helps transport oxygen throughout the body. This gives chlorophyll the ability to support healthy oxygen levels. [6]
In a study published in the International Journal of Chemical Studies, researchers identified the enzymes responsible for some of the biological activities of wheat grass. These enzymes include cytochrome oxidase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and the digestive enzymes protease, amylase and lipase. [7]
Protease is an enzyme that breaks down protein, while amylase helps with the digestion of starch. Lipase is responsible for breaking down fats in food. Together, these three can support the healthy functions of your digestive system.
The transmembrane protein cytochrome oxidase is part of the mitochondrial respiratory chain and plays a crucial role in energy production. [8] Meanwhile, SOD, which is found in all living cells, is a widely studied antioxidant enzyme that plays a crucial role in your body’s natural defense against oxidative stress. [9]
Apart from SOD, the bioflavonoids and indole alkaloids in wheat grass also contribute to its antioxidant activities. Some of the well-known flavonoids in wheat grass are apigenin, quercetin and luteolin. These compounds are effective free radical scavengers that can protect healthy cells from oxidative damage. [10] Like bioflavonoids, the indole compounds in wheat grass are also known for their ability to neutralize free radicals. [11]
The health benefits of organic wheat grass*
Thanks to its impressive nutrient and phytonutrient content, organic wheat grass can significantly boost your nutrient intake when you add it to your daily routine. It can also help you maintain the healthy functions of the following organs and organ systems:
Digestive system
Organic wheat grass contains high amounts of dietary fiber, which can support healthy digestion and regular bowel movements. [12][13] A study published in the journal FEMS Microbiology Ecology also reported that structurally complex carbohydrates (i.e., starch and dietary fiber) can support digestive health by helping maintain normal gut microbial diversity and balance. [14] Because wheat grass is high in fiber, incorporating it into your diet can benefit your digestive system immensely.
In addition, organic wheat grass contains digestive enzymes that can help you break down foods more easily for optimal nutrient absorption.
Immune system
According to a study published in the Nutrition Journal, getting high amounts of antioxidants from your diet is important for maintaining a healthy immune system. This is because your immune cells also need protection from destructive free radicals. [15] Organic wheat grass contains an abundance of potent antioxidants, making it an excellent food for immune support.
What’s more, a study published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry found that a polysaccharide in wheat grass called maltoheptaose can support the normal functions of various immune cells. [16] This means that consuming organic wheat grass regularly can help keep your immune system functioning optimally.
Cardiovascular system
Eating antioxidant-rich foods like organic wheat grass has long been found to support a healthy heart. This is due to the protective benefits offered by antioxidants particularly against oxidative stress, which studies have linked to poor cardiovascular function and cell damage. [17]
Another way organic wheat grass benefits your cardiovascular system is by supporting healthy blood cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range. This was reported by a study published in the journal Methods & Findings in Experimental & Clinical Pharmacology, which also highlighted the significant role played by antioxidants to support cardiovascular health. [18]
Liver
Your liver is responsible for removing toxins from your blood. But because it constantly deals with harmful substances, your liver is prone to damage. [19] You can give your liver invaluable support by eating clean, organic whole foods like wheat grass.
According to a study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research, organic wheat grass contains a powerful polysaccharide that can give much-need support to your liver. Thanks to the many beneficial properties of this polysaccharide, organic wheat grass can support the healthy functions of your main detoxification organ. [20]
Apart from helping keep the above-mentioned organs and organ systems healthy, organic wheat grass can also support healthy energy levels and sensible weight management plans. These benefits can be attributed to its high B-vitamin and fiber content.
B-vitamins are needed for the conversion of carbohydrates, fats and proteins into energy. [21] By providing you with plenty of B-vitamins, organic wheat grass can help you maintain optimal energy levels.
As a high-fiber superfood, organic wheat grass can also help you reduce your food intake by making you feel full for longer. This means that including organic wheat grass in a well-balanced diet and exercising regularly can help you achieve reasonable weight management goals.
Where to get clean, lab-verified organic wheat grass powder
Organic wheat grass is an excellent superfood to add to a healthy diet. It is loaded with potent antioxidants and essential nutrients, and delivers a number of impressive health benefits. In powder form, organic wheat grass provides a convenient way of boosting your nutrient intake and makes incorporating it into your daily routine very easy.
To help you experience the full nutritional benefits of organic wheat grass, the Health Ranger Store is bringing you a clean, new lot of Groovy Bee® Organic Wheat Grass Powder. This premium powder is made by drying and milling the freshly sprouted leaves of young Triticum aestivum plants.
Because the leaves are not treated with heat or any chemicals, Groovy Bee® Organic Wheat Grass Powder retains all the beneficial components of raw, organic wheat grass. This means that you can enjoy all the health benefits this incredible superfood has to offer when you add our high-quality wheat grass powder to your favorite drinks or recipes.
Groovy Bee® Organic Wheat Grass Powder is vegan, non-China, non-GMO and contains no gluten or additives. It is also certified Kosher and organic and lab verified for cleanliness and purity. Like all Health Ranger Store products, our organic wheat grass powder is also meticulously lab tested for glyphosate, heavy metals and microbiology.
Support your overall health and well-being with clean, organic wheat grass powder today!
*These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, cure or diagnose any diseases.
References
[2] https://www.uchicagomedicine.org
[3] https://health.clevelandclinic.org
[4] https://australianwheatgrass.com.au
[5] https://nutritiondata.self.com
[6] https://www.medicalnewstoday.com
[7] https://www.researchgate.net
[8] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[9] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[10] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[11] https://www.tandfonline.com
[12] https://www.mayoclinic.org
[15] https://nutritionj.biomedcentral.com
[16] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[17] https://www.mdpi.com
[18] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
[19] https://www.sciencedirect.com
[20] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com
[21] https://www.otsuka.co.jp
