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6 Wheatgrass Juice Packs a Big Punch!

  1. High Antioxidant Content – Wheatgrass is high in chlorophyll and many vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Test-tube and animal studies have found that its antioxidant content may prevent oxidative stress and cell damage.
  2. Reduces Cholesterol – Several animal studies have found that wheatgrass may help lower cholesterol levels. In one study, rats with high cholesterol were given wheatgrass juice. They experienced decreased levels of total cholesterol, “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Interestingly, the effects of wheatgrass were similar to those of atorvastatin, a prescription drug commonly used to treat high blood cholesterol (1). Another study looked at its effects in rabbits fed a high-fat diet. After 10 weeks, supplementing with wheatgrass helped lower total cholesterol and increase “good” HDL cholesterol, compared to a control group (2).
  3. Helps Kill Cancer Cells – Thanks to its high antioxidant content, some test-tube studies have found that wheatgrass may help kill cancer cells. According to one test-tube study, wheatgrass extract decreased the spread of mouth cancer cells by 41% (3). In another test-tube study, wheatgrass induced cell death and reduced the number of leukemia cells by up to 65% within three days of treatment (4). One study found that wheatgrass juice decreased the risk of impaired bone marrow function, a common complication of chemotherapy, in 60 people with breast cancer (5).
  4. Aids in Blood Sugar Regulation – High blood sugar can cause a wide array of symptoms, including headaches, thirst, frequent urination, fatigue and diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar can have serious consequences like nerve damage, skin infections and vision problems. Some animal studies have found that wheatgrass may help keep blood sugar levels under control. In one study, giving wheatgrass to diabetic rats modified levels of certain enzymes that help lower blood sugar levels (6). Another study found that treating diabetic rats with wheatgrass extract for 30 days resulted in significantly decreased blood sugar levels (7).
  5. Alleviates Inflammation – However, chronic inflammation is believed to contribute to conditions like cancer, heart disease and autoimmune disorders. Some studies show that wheatgrass can help reduce inflammation. One study with 23 people looked at the effects of wheatgrass juice on ulcerative colitis, a disease characterized by inflammation in the large intestine. Drinking about 1/2 cup of wheatgrass juice a day for one month reduced disease severity and rectal bleeding in patients with ulcerative colitis (8). Wheatgrass is also rich in chlorophyll, a plant pigment with powerful anti-inflammatory properties. One test-tube study showed that chlorophyll inhibited the activity of a specific protein that triggers inflammation (9). Another test-tube study found that the compounds in chlorophyll reduced inflammation in cells extracted from the arteries (10).
  6. Promotes Weight Loss – Many people have started adding wheatgrass juice to their diet as a quick and convenient way to boost weight loss. Wheatgrass contains thylakoids, which are tiny compartments found in plants that contain chlorophyll and absorb sunlight for photosynthesis. These membranes in chloroplasts that have been isolated from green leaves. Several studies have found that supplementing with thylakoids could enhance satiety and increase weight loss. Thylakoids are chlorophyll-containing One study found that supplementing a high-carb meal with thylakoids intensified feelings of satiety, compared to a placebo (11). Similarly, a study in rats showed that supplementing with thylakoids increased satiety by slowing down the emptying of the stomach and increasing the release of hormones that decrease hunger (12). Another study found that giving thylakoids to rats on a high-fat diet resulted in decreased food intake and body weight, compared to a control group (13). Keep in mind that thylakoids can also be found in many other food sources, including green vegetables and leafy greens like spinach, kale and lettuce.

Notes

These tips were adapted from Healthline https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/wheatgrass-benefits#section6

1 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21485304

2 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20508870

3 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5534514/

4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21715255/

5 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17571966

6 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25116122

7 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3876669/

8 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11989836

9 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22038065

10 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24066944

11 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23632035

12 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5059972/

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