A Wheatgrass powder is a product obtained from dehydrating the extracted juice of wheatgrass and sold as a dietary supplement.

For some health enthusiasts, it is valued for its nutritional benefits since it contains high levels of beta-carotene, amino acids, B vitamins, and fiber. It is also reputed to possess antibacterial and restorative properties that help to detoxify the body. Generally, wheatgrass refers to bread wheat (Triticum aestivum), a type of grass cultivated in agreen house or under artificial lighting indoors. In fact, many people who hope to regularly enjoy the health benefits of wheatgrass choose to sprout it at home. After seven to ten days, the grass is processed in a small appliance to extract the juice, which is consumed for specific therapeutic purposes. Wheatgrass tablets and wheatgrass powder, on the other hand, are made from grass that has been allowed to grow naturally in the field for three months or more before it is dehydrated and consumed as a nutritional supplement.

Wheatgrass powder is taken by mixing it with water to make a nutritional drink. It can also be added to other foods. In addition to the list of nutrients preserved in the dehydrated product, the primary driver behind the health-giving properties of wheatgrass powder is believed to be the concentrated chlorophyll content. One claim is that this substance promotes a plethora of biological actions ranging from increasing hemoglobin production to improving fertility and preventing hair from turning gray. In fact, these and numerous other claims were promoted for more than 30 years by author and holistic health advocate, Ann Wigmore. However, there is a great deal of debate over whether or not wheatgrass powder can deliver such benefits. First, as many skeptics point out, Dr. Wigmore is a Doctor of Divinity, not a medical doctor. In fact, she was court-ordered to refrain from representing herself as a medical professional after being sued twice by the Massachusetts Attorney General once for claiming that wheatgrass could replace insulin for diabetics and again for promoting it as a cure for AIDS. In addition, there is little, if any, evidence in the medical literature to substantiate any of the health claims made for wheatgrass products at all. Most of the limited number of studies that do exist are small, inconclusive, and date back to the 1930s. There are several claims that can be immediately discounted, though. For instance,wheatgrass powder is touted for containing high levels of chlorophyll, a carbohydrate that provides sustenance for plants. However, since human beings lack chloroplasts, they simply cannot initiate photosynthesis to convert this substance into proteins and sugars. Since the human body cant absorb chlorophyll, its unlikely that it has any detoxification value. Another claim for wheatgrass powder that can be discounted is that it is a rich source ofvitamin B12. First, people cant benefit nutritionally from eating this or any other grass in the same way that a cow can, for example, due to differences in digestion. Secondly, vitamin B12 does not occur naturally in wheatgrass, but results as a byproduct of metabolism from microorganisms that reside on the surface of the plant. In fact, this very scenario is why all plants are considered inadequate sources of available vitamin B12. Setting controversy aside, there is no evidence to suggest that supplementing with wheatgrasspowder is harmful. In fact, many people report that they experience improved digestion, clearer skin, and increased energy from consuming it. In addition, wheatgrass powder is, in fact, a valid and significant source of vitamin C and iron, although not necessarily more than many other raw plants and vegetables.

What does wheatgrass do? Wheatgrass has been promoted as one of the most potently healthy substances on earth. Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals, enzymes, vitamins and antioxidants (e.g. carotenoids and flavonoids). [3]

Fresh leaf buds of wheatgrass (tritium aestivum or agropyron cristatum) are often crushed to form a wheat grass juice [4] Wheatgrass juice is a popular health drink. While wheatgrass may also be dried or dehydrated then grounded into wheat grass powder. Without much scientific evidence, wheatgrass is promoted that it can benefit people at risk of cancers, menopause, colon and liver diseases. A website publisher claims wheatgrass can offer benefits of preventing gray hair and bad breath. Another website publisher says wheatgrass juice is a detergent in our body, and wheatgrass juice can help prevent tooth decay. The publisher further suggests readers to gargle with wheatgrass juice for a sore throat, and use wheatgrass juice for skin problems such as eczema or psoriasis. Wheat grass juice has even claimed to have benefit on high blood pressure and scars formed in the lung. Not sure, if these claims have scientific supports. Wheatgrass may possibly have lots of health benefits, as it has a high content of fibers and antioxidants. ______________________________________________________________________

Let us review some interesting recent studies on wheatgrass benefits:

Clinical studies

Wheatgrass benefits - on ulcerative colitis In a randomized, double-blind study, Ben-Arye E and co-workers from Israel Institute of Technology, supplemented 23 patients suffered from ulcerative colitis with 100 cc of wheatgrass juice daily for one month. They found significant improvements of these patients in disease activity index such as rectal bleeding and bowel movement. They found no serious side effects.

Wheatgrass benefits - on thalassemia Researchers treated patients with thalassemia with 100 mLof wheatgrass juice daily. They found a decrease in the need of packed red cells by 25% or more. They didn't notice any adverse side effects. [2] Thalassemia is an inherited autonomic recessive blood disease. In thalassemia, the genetic defect results in reduced rate of synthesis of one of the globin chains that make up hemoglobin. The disorder leads to anemia.

Wheatgrass benefits - on rheumatoid arthritis Researchers from Finland included wheatgrass juice and berries in their special diets for patients suffered from rheumatoid arthritis. During the study, researchers noticed the

improvement of joint stiffness and pain and quality of sleep. [3]

Wheatgrass benefits - anti-cancer (anti proliferation effect) Wheatgrass was found to have cytotoxic effect on human acute promyelocytic leukemia cells HL60 while no significant cytotoxic effect was observed on other type of cells. [Pak J Pharm Sci. 2011 Jul;24(3):243-50]

Wheatgrass benefits - on gray hair There is no report that wheatgrass prevents gray hair (up to the date of August 17, 2011)

Wheatgrass benefits - on lung scar There is no report that wheatgrass can diminish scars in lung (up to the date of August 17, 2011)

Wheatgrass benefits - on bad breath There is no scientific evidence that wheatgrass can stop bad breath (up to the date of August 17, 2011)

Wheatgrass benefits - on menopause There is no scientific evidence that wheatgrass offers benefits to people at menopause (up to the date of August 17, 2011)

Wheatgrass benefits - on tooth decay

There is no scientific evidence that wheatgrass offers benefits to people at risk of tooth decay (up to the date of August 17, 2011)

I can't understand how those marketers can come up with so many health benefits for wheatgrass. I notice, one publisher applies chlorophyll benefits to wheatgrass. Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll but chlorophyll in wheatgrass is associated with fibers or even encapsulated in fibers. Chlorophyll in supplements may be in fine powder form. Thus, the benefit of chlorophyll supplement is different from the benefit of wheatgrass.

Wheatgrass side effects Wheatgrass is probably safe for most healthy adults. However, wheatgrass side effects may happen with individuals, the side effects may include nausea, appetite loss and constipation.

THIS ARTICLE IS FOR YOUR REFERENCE ONLY. YOU SHOULD CONSULT WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTION AND BEFORE TAKING ANY SUPPLEMENTS. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED ZHION 2011.DO NOT COPY NOR TRANSFER THE CONTENT OF THIS ARTICLE TO OTHER WEBSITES.

[1] Ben-Arye E, Goldin E, Wengrower D, Stamper A, Kohn R, Berry E. Wheat grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Scand J Gastroenterol. 2002 Apr;37(4):444-9. [2] Marawaha RK, et al, Wheat grass juice reduces transfusion

requirement in patients with thalassemia major: a pilot study. Indian Pediatr. 2004 Jul;41(7):716-20. [3] Hnninen O, Rauma AL, Kaartinen K, Nenonen M. Vegan diet in physiological health promotion. Acta Physiol Hung. 1999;86(3-4):17180. [4] From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Wheatgrass is grown perennially in shade net houses using organic soil media. New sowing and harvesting is done daily all year round. The Wheatgrass is grow for 7 days and then harvested at the jointing stage when the maximum nutrition content is stored in its tender blades of grass. It is then dehydrated indoors naturally (without direct sunlight / mechanism) and grinded into fine Powder thus retaining its natural nutritional value.

WHAT IS WHEATGRASS? In 1930 an agricultural chemist named Charles Schnabel discovered the benefits of a diet incorporating young cereal grasses. Charles Schnabel used dehydrated wheat and oat grass on poorly hens and his research resulted in an increase in their health and increase in rate of egg laying. Schnabel and his colleagues also determined the key principles to growing, harvesting and dehydrating wheatgrass to keep it's high nutritional properties, many of which are still used today. Schnabel then brought wheatgrass to the market as a green food. The scientific name for wheat grass is Triticum Aestivum L. Traditionally, wheatgrass is grown, cut, juiced and prepared. This process takes time. Wheat grass powder saves you all the effort. Our wheatgrass is organically grown in a natural environment in northern China and goes through a very delicate process which involves selecting and cutting the best wheatgrass leaves at optimum age. The leaves are then naturally cleaned, freeze dried and air blowed at low temperature into a fine green powder. The freeze drying and low temperature processes ensure all the nutritional goodness is preserved. The whole process from harvesting to powdering is carried out within 30 minutes to ensure the wheatgrass leaves are kept as fresh as possible until organically converted into a powder. Wheatgrass or barley grass? Their nutritional profiles are almost identical so it's really down to taste

preference. There are two types of powder on the market, course green powder which is mainly used for filling capsules etc. and the higher quality fine green powder used for mixing into drinks. Our organic wheatgrass powder fine green powder which is easier to mix into liquid. Our powder has a mesh of 270 (a measure of how fine the powder is) compared to the more course wheatgrass at 130. The whole wheatgrass growing, harvesting and powdering process used for our products is kept to strict organic standards and is monitored and audited to ensure your product is of true organic quality. This also ensures nothing un-natural has been added along the way. WHEATGRASS NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION See nutritional table in picture above. BENEFITS OF WHEATGRASS Wheatgrass is a wonderful well rounded organic food and is consumed by many people around the globe in an attempt to better their health. Wheatgrass is naturally high in fibre, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), potassium, phosphorus, copper and chlorophyll. Wheatgrass is also a great natural source of protein, complex carbohydrates, vitamin E, zinc and selenium and is low in fat and sugar. Wheatgrass is one of nature's ultimate green superfoods. The scientifically proven health benefits behind the nutrients in wheatgrass: Thiamine (vitamin B1) - contributes to a normal energy-yielding metabolism and normal functioning of the heart, nervous system and psychological system. Riboflavin (vitamin B2) - contributes to a normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal functioning of the nervous system, metabolism of iron and maintenance of normal skin, vision, red blood cells and mucous membranes. Riboflavin also contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress and the reduction of tiredness and fatigue. Potassium - contributes to normal maintenance of blood pressure and normal function of muscles and the nervous system. Phosphorus - contributes to a normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal functioning of cell membranes and maintenance of normal bones and teeth. Copper - contributes to the maintenance of normal connective tissues, a normal energy-yielding metabolism, normal functioning of the immune and nervous systems, normal skin and hair pigmentation, normal iron transport in the body and the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Protein - contributes to maintenance and growth in muscle mass and maintenance of normal bones. Vitamin E - contributes to the protection of cells from oxidative stress. Zinc - contributes to normal cognitive function, normal function of the immune system, normal fertility and reproduction, normal metabolism of fatty acids and vitamin A, the protection of cells from oxidative stress and the maintenance of normal skin, bones, hair, nails, vision and testosterone levels in the blood. Zinc also contributes to normal acidbase/carbohydrate/macronutrient metabolism and normal protein and DNA synthesis. Zinc also has a role in the process of cell division. Selenium - Contributes to the maintenance of normal hair and nails, normal function of the

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Remember, wheatgrass will not keep you healthy all on it's own. We always recommend a healthy varied and balanced diet with regular exercise as part of an overall healthy lifestyle. USES FOR WHEATGRASS Wheat grass powder can be added to water, smoothies, fruit juices, yoghurt, cooking, baking, breakfasts or any other way you can imagine. Personally we love to consume a wheatgrass shot twice a day, one mid morning, one mid afternoon by mixing half teaspoon of wheat grass powder into a an amount of water which works for you. There is no suggested use for wheatgrass powder but many people consume 1 to 2 teaspoons per day.

Wheat has been consumed for thousands of years and is still one of the worlds most common crops, covering around a third of the worlds farmland.

The popularity of wheatgrass began to grow during the 1940s, when the agricultural chemist Dr. Charles F. Schnabel brought it to the attention of a wider public.Wheatgrass has many similar nutritional properties to barleygrass but has a sweeter taste. Although often featured as a cornerstone of detoxification regimes, most people like to take advantage of wheatgrasss wide range of nutrients on a daily basis as a great addition to a healthy balanced diet

Our wheat grass is grown organically and is nutritionally superior to fresh wheatgrass juice. This

surprising fact is because of the high concentration of nutrients, which build up in our wheat grass thanks to the way it is grown. It is grown over the winter for 3-4 months during which time it grows very, very slowly, allowing nutrients to build up in the short stem. It is harvested in the spring, immediately before it shoots up, thereby preserving its high nutritional value. It is cool-powdered and stored in the cold in the USA until it is sent to the UK. This process makes our wheat grass a unique product with a higher level of nearly all nutrients compared to fresh young wheat grass used for juicing - which is only 14-28 days old.

While powdered wheatgrass lacks the bioactive, more therapeutic value of fresh wheatgrass juice, our powder is nutritionally superior to the juice because it is more concentrated. The powder can be considered a better vitamin and mineral supplement, while the juice more appropriate if you are trying to restore your health from disease. That being said, there is some overlap, so both fresh and powdered wheatgrass will serve each role to a certain extent.