Wheatgrass is a nutritionally rich supplement that helps increase your vitamin intake.
Agropyron, also known as wheatgrass, is closely related to traditional wheat, but whereas wheat grows tall and is a brown/yellow color, wheatgrass looks more like traditional lawn grass. This plant is valued not only for its lush appearance, but also for its health benefits. Its high concentration of nutrients and minerals have made it a favorite with health-food fanatics. Does this Spark an idea?
Juicing Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass juice is made by placing the grass blades into a juicing machine, which compresses them and extracts their liquid. The amount of wheatgrass to use for a standard 1-ounce shot depends on the length, width and health of the grass. As a rule of thumb, to create 1 ounce of wheatgrass juice, place two handfuls of cut grass into a juicing machine. Wanda Cline recommends consuming a minimum of 1 ounce and a maximum of 4 ounces of wheatgrass per day to see health benefits.
Where to Buy
Wheatgrass plants are available for purchase at farmer's markets and health food stores. Typically, wheatgrass is sold in trays similar to sod; plants appear like a perfect cut-out piece of lawn. Wheatgrass may also be grown at home: plant seeds into a standard plant pot filled with a mixture of organic potting soil and peat moss. Once the seeds have germinated, allow the grass to grow for seven days before harvesting for juice.
Wheatgrass Compounds
Brent A. Bauer, M.D., states in the Mayo Clinic report "What is wheatgrass, and should I be adding it to my smoothies for better health?" that this plant contains concentrated amounts of amino acids, magnesium, chlorophyll, calcium, and iron as well as vitamins A, C and E. While 1 ounce of wheatgrass contains the same vitamin and mineral concentration as 1 ounce of other fresh vegetables, few scientific studies exist to support its healing actions. Many people who regularly consume wheatgrass believe that the chlorophyll enhances oxygen flow in the body and helps treat ailments such as fevers, colds, skin conditions and constipation.
Considerations
As with any nutritional supplement, always discuss the use and dosage amount with your doctor before taking wheatgrass. If you are allergic to grass or wheat, you may not be able to safely consume this juice. Pregnant women or women who are breastfeeding should never consume wheatgrass. While wheatgrass may provide additional nutrients to your diet, you should not treat it as a miracle cure and never use wheatgrass to replace professional medical treatment or other food sources.
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