Wheatgrass is sold as a dietary supplement for it is rich in many nutrients.
Many proponents of wheatgrass say that it provides numerous health benefits including that it helps in weight loss.
Wheatgrass has a high concentration of iron, magnesium, calcium, amino acids, vitamins C, A and E, B12, B6 and chlorophyll.
These vitamins and minerals provide many therapeutic benefits.
Hence consuming wheatgrass in the right quantities can rid the digestive system of harmful bacteria and cleanse the body of toxins.
It cleanses the colon and can help in the treatment of joint pain, ulcerative colitis, skin infections, diabetes and such.
It is also a good way to get our daily dietary requirement of vegetables.
How wheatgrass can help with weight loss
Since wheatgrass is promoted as a dietary supplement it is popular among those who wish to lose weight and bodybuilders.
For weight loss, wheatgrass is very low in calories and has no fat.
Since it can be incorporated in fresh fruit juices and smoothies, it helps us cut out on calorie-rich sodas and this promotes weight loss.
Those who wish to lose weight must also be able to get their daily dietary requirement.
Some nutritionist believes that one kg of vegetables is said to be equal in value to 1 shot wheatgrass juice.
For those who find it difficult to consume this daily required quantity of vegetables, consuming the required quantity of wheatgrass could provide sufficient essential nutrients. 1 serving (32g) wheatgrass has 0g of fat and only 5 calories.
A lot of people consume dehydrated wheatgrass to help with weight loss. Dehydrated wheatgrass as capsules, powders or tablets is nutrient dense food and this expands when water combines with it.
When a person eats such foods, they feel full faster, when actually consuming lesser quantities.
This means a person eats less food and still does not feel hungry. Hence, wheatgrass can help with weight loss.
While dehydrated wheatgrass is not as rich in nutrients as wheatgrass juice, it does provide the roughage that is needed for weight loss programs.
And if wheatgrass is grown under the right conditions and is harvested at the right time and then dehydrated scientifically, it can still be rich in all the essential nutrients that raw wheatgrass has.
Since it contains sufficient magnesium, it helps improve bowel health and with muscle contraction
All weight loss programs include an exercise schedule of at least one hour every day on most days.
If you exercise and do not eat the right foods, you could lose energy and feel weak and tired.
Wheatgrass can provide the endurance and energy needed to burn of calories without getting fatigued.
The nutrients in wheatgrass speed up metabolism and this converts calories to energy. You can burn more calories and this helps with weight loss.
It is said to purify the blood and remove harmful toxins. Wheatgrass has high potassium content and this improves skin quality and muscle tone.
This is needed during weight loss programs to burn calories and build muscles.
Detoxification is often promoted as part of a weight loss program. Wheatgrass is said to be a good detoxifying agent.
Potassium is referred to as the ‘youth mineral’ and wheatgrass helps give all the required potassium without the calories that other potassium-rich foods like bananas contain.
Precautions
Consuming the right quantity of wheatgrass is generally considered safe. However, since it is grown in humid and moist conditions, chances of contamination from mold and bacteria are very high.
Hence the risk of infection increases especially if you consume wheatgrass raw. It must be washed properly before consumption.
You can even get pasteurized wheatgrass in stores that will not be contaminated.
Those who suffer from gluten intolerance, celiac disease, and grass or wheat allergy or those who are pregnant or breastfeeding must not consume wheatgrass.
Even those who wish to consume wheatgrass for weight loss must consult their doctors before doing so. Wheatgrass is not a miracle cure and cannot replace a healthy diet of fresh vegetables and fruits.
Consumed sensibly, it can add variation to your daily diet.