Wheatgrass Powder

wheatgrass powder

What is Wheatgrass? Perhaps Naturya’s best known product, Organic Wheatgrass Powder is a fantastic source of chlorophyll, vitamins, minerals and amino acids.1 Wheatgrass is formed from the shoots of young wheat plants.

Wheat has been consumed for thousands of years and is still one of the world’s most common crops, covering around a third of the world’s farmland.2 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.2 3

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 wheatgrass’s wide range of nutrients on a daily basis as a great addition to a healthy balanced diet. Processing

Our wheatgrass is grown on an organic farm in the North of China. It is certified as organic by the Soil Association and the EU, which means it is subject to rigorous checks at every stage of production. The farm is regularly inspected by international organic certification bodies.

The wheatgrass seed is planted in November and harvested the following spring. The wheatgrass is carefully monitored and is hand-cut just before the jointing stage.4 This ensures it is at its nutritional peak, as the plant prepares for the transition from vegetative to reproductive growth by accumulating vast amounts of nutrients and energy.2 3

Once it is cut, the wheatgrass is cleaned and the highest-quality blades are selected for processing. These go on to the drying stage, before being ground into a fine powder by a pneumatic cracker. As with our barleygrass, the process from field to finished product is completed withintwo hours, in order to preserve as many nutrients as possible. 4 The Science

Wheatgrass is packed with a variety of nutrients, including a wide range of vitamins, minerals and amino acids. Wheatgrass is considered to have strong antioxidant qualities, stemming from enzymes such as amylase, superoxide dismutase and cytochrome oxidase1 5, which neutralise free radicals and prevent them from causing the cell damage that can lead to arthritis, motor neurone disease and inflammatory diseases.5 6 Wheatgrass is rich in vitamins, containing vitamin A, C, E, K and a multitude of B vitamins.1 These provide a variety of benefits, including strengthening the immune system, creating red blood cells, protecting cells, forming haemoglobin and strengthening bones.7 Wheatgrass is also a good source of iron and magnesium. Iron helps make the red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body and magnesium helps convert our food into energy and maintain bone health.7

Chlorophyll accounts for a large proportion of the chemical compounds of wheatgrass.8 It is thought that chlorophyll can enhance heart and lung functions, and prevents the growth and development of harmful bacteria.9 Chlorophyll is structurally similar to human blood and is believed to help with the growth and repair of tissues and the supply of oxygen in the bloodstream, as well as having antioxidant and anti-carcinogenic properties.10 11

Wheatgrass contains a wide range of amino acids, including all of the essential amino acids, which cannot be synthesised by the body and must therefore make up part of people’s diet. Amino acids are often referred to as the building blocks of proteins and they help to build and repair body tissues. Wheatgrass contains essential fatty acids, which can help reduce inflammation and support the immune system3 12. Wheatgrass is also rich in fibre, which makes up around 42% of our powder. This helps the digestive system and can play a role in reducing cholesterol levels.13

How to enjoy Whe tgrass

When most people think of wheatgrass they probably picture a small green drink. Depending on your personal tastes, you may wish to simply mix the wheatgrass into a glass of water or, if you find that flavour a little too grassy, you might prefer to combine it with fruit juice. There are plenty of different smoothie recipes to be found online; wheatgrass can be combined with all kinds of fruits, vegetables and other powders to make a nutrient rich blend. Wheatgrass can also be included in cooking, most simply sprinkled into a salad dressing or dip. It can be added to most recipes, including dough, soups, energy bars and even jams.

1 Singh, N., Verma P., Pandey, B.R., 2012. Therapeutic Potential of Different Conditions. Phytotherapy Researc. 20. Organic Triticum aestivum Linn. (Wheat Grass) in Prevention and 7 NHS, 2011. Vitamins and minerals. www.nhs.uk Treatment of Chronic Diseases: An Overview. International Journal of 8 Padalia, S., Drabu, S., Raheja, I., Gupta, A. & Dhamija, M., 2010. Pharmaceutical Studies and Drug Research. 4[1]. Multitude potential of wheatgrass juice (Green Blood): An overview. 2 Meyerowitz, S., 2006. Wheatgrass: nature’s finest medicine: the Chronicles of Young Scientists. 1[2]. complete guide to using grass foods & juices to help your health. 9 Kumar, P., Yadava, R.K., Gollen, B., Kumar, S., Verma, R.K. & Yadav, Sproutman Publications. S. 2011. Nutritional Contents and Medicinal Properties of Wheat: A 3 Dégraff, L.R., 2011. The complete guide to growing and using Review. Life Sciences and Medicine Research. Volume 2011. wheatgrass: everything you need to know explained simply – including 10 Kizedath, A. & Suneetha, V., 2011. Estimation of chlorophyll content easy-to-make recipes. Atlantic Publishing Group. in common household medicinal leave and their utilization to avail health 4 Supllier pers. comm benefits of chlorophyll. Journal of Pharmacy Research. 4[5]. 5 Krishnamurthy, P. and Wadhwani, A., 2012. Antioxidant Enzymes and 11 İnanç, A.L., 2011. Chlorophyll: Structural Properties, Health Benefits Human Health. InTech and Its Occurrence in Virgin Olive Oils. Academic Food Journal. 9[2]. 6 Kulkarni, S.D., Tilak, J.C., Acharya, R., Rajurkar, S., Devasagayam, 12 Simopoulos, A.P., 1999. Essential fatty acids in health and chronic T.P.A., & Reddy, A.V.R., 2006. Evaluation of the Antioxidant Activity disease. The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 70[3]. of Wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) as a Function of Growth under 13 NHS 2011. Why is fibre important? www.nhs.uk

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