Young grass taken from the plant Triticum aestivum is called wheatgrass. Since humans can’t digest raw wheatgrass, it must be consumed as a supplement tablet or juiced to make a drink or shot.
Wheatgrass provides dozens of health benefits due to its abundance of vitamins, minerals, enzymes and amino acids. Cited as a superfood by many nutrition experts, wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, a green pigment in plants necessary for the absorption of light. The chlorophyll molecule is anchored by a magnesium ring. Learn about all the health benefits of wheatgrass.
Magnesium is the most potent nutritional force in chlorophyll, and it boosts digestive system function, keeping you regular (among other important benefits). This makes wheatgrass supplements or wheatgrass juice a great addition to your health routine.
Let’s look at 10 ways wheatgrass aids digestion – plus a few other advantages you’ll get from taking wheatgrass daily.
How Does Your Digestive System Work?
The digestive system absorbs nutrients from food to keep our bodies strong and healthy. Digestion gets rid of toxins and disposes of them when you eliminate. Your body starts to produce stomach acid and enzymes to digest food as soon as you smell it-you don’t even have to chew it for the digestive process to begin.
If you’ve experienced constipation, gas, bloating, acid reflux or stomach ulcers, it was probably due to low enzyme or stomach acid levels. Other digestive problems, like gluten intolerance, leaky gut and food sensitivity may lead to weight gain and serious health problems.
1. Wheatgrass Aids Digestion (along with a Healthy Diet) to Keep You Regular
There are many causes of poor digestion. A bad diet, heavy with red meat and junk food is harder to digest than raw or healthy foods, especially for people over 40. Excessive amounts of heavy foods clog up your system, slowing digestion.
A rich meal is fine once in awhile, but a constant diet of fried and high-fat foods, dairy, alcohol and acidic foods (citrus fruits, tomato sauce) can aggravate your digestive system. Vary your diet, including beans, vegetables and fresh, non-acidic fruits to give you more fiber and Vitamin C, two nutrients necessary for better digestion.
Drink plenty of water to keep you hydrated and help move solid food through your system. The fiber in beans, whole grains, nuts and seeds help prevent constipation and hemorrhoids and may even lower your cholesterol.
Bananas are rich in pectin, which helps rid the body of toxins and heavy metals, and they also contain plenty of fiber. Avocados, apples and raspberries are other high-fiber fruits. (Be sure to eat the apple peels, which have most of an apple’s fiber.)
2. Wheatgrass Provides Important Vitamins and Minerals for Digestion
While it’s not always possible to eat enough healthy foods every day, you can ensure better digestion by taking a wheatgrass supplement or drinking wheatgrass juice daily.
Wheatgrass boasts many nutrients necessary for good digestion. The magnesium in chlorophyll (and wheatgrass) tones intestinal muscles and increases the amount of water in your intestines.
This helps peristalsis, or the movement of fecal matter through the intestines. Wheatgrass also contains fiber, Vitamin C and B-complex vitamins, which all aid the digestive process.
Vitamins B6 and B12 assist with protein and fat metabolism. They are essential for the function of close to 100 enzymes involved in digestion. Wheatgrass aids digestion by providing the most important vitamins and minerals to keep you regular.
3. Wheatgrass Aids Digestion by Treating Existing Stomach Problems the Natural Way
There are several causes of poor digestion. Infections may cause irritable bowel syndrome or ulcers. Aspirin and ibuprofen contribute to leaky gut. Dehydration and lack of fiber or magnesium in the diet are common causes of constipation.
Stress, however, may be one of the biggest factors in digestive problems. It can cause constipation, ulcers, acid reflux or irritable bowel syndrome. If you suffer from any of these ailments, determine the cause.
You may be able to do this on your own, but it’s always better to talk to your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis. Unless you have a chronic disorder that requires medical attention, wheatgrass, with its high magnesium content, is a sure bet to strengthen intestinal muscles and boost digestion.
Wheatgrass aids digestion naturally, so it helps cure constipation without the harsh, addictive nature of over-the counter laxatives. Laxatives that work quickly are the most harmful, since they stimulate nerves in the colon. This makes colon muscles contract, and keep it empty.
Colon muscles don’t work on their own when you use a stimulant laxative - the laxatives to initiate a bowel movement. If you use laxatives too often, your digestive system expects that over time, and the colon stops sending signals for normal bowel movements to occur.
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4. Wheatgrass Increases Your Metabolism
Eating a balanced diet and taking a wheatgrass supplement is a much better way to keep your digestive system functioning and contribute to overall health. Some people find the taste of wheatgrass juice makes them nauseous, so a wheatgrass tablet is the best way to get your digestion back on track slowly but surely. Wheatgrass tablets may contain additional herbs like green tea extract and citrus aurantium to increase your metabolism.
A good metabolism helps keep your digestive juices flowing. Many of us have experienced a sluggish metabolism when we eat bad food or don’t get enough exercise, and wheatgrass, with energy-inducing iron and B vitamins, will keep your energy level high.
5. Wheatgrass Stops Excess Acidity in the Blood
Wheatgrass helps balance your body’s (and stomach’s) pH. By reducing acidity in the blood, wheatgrass helps you maintain a good alkaline/acid ratio, which helps relieve GI problems, including constipation, ulcers, ulcerative colitis and diarrhea.
A 7.0-7.4 pH is ideal for the human body, and regular consumption of a wheatgrass supplement will help maintain it. Eating broccoli, peppers, kale, apples, melon, almonds, cinnamon and other alkaline foods will also help reduce the acidic level in your body.
6. Scientific Research Shows Wheatgrass Aids Digestion – and May Prevent Cancer
A study conducted by the Purdue University Department of Food Science in 2006 showed that chlorophyll (the primary nutrient in wheatgrass) may prevent cancer due to its antioxidant capacity. The study “Digestion, absorption, and cancer preventative activity of dietary chlorophyll derivatives” also cites the power of chlorophyll as an aid to digestion. Any natural promoter of good digestion will help prevent colon cancer and chronic diseases.
7. Wheatgrass Contains Digestive Enzymes
Your digestive system uses enzymes to breakdown food so it can absorb nutrients. During digestion, proteins are broken down into amino acids, fats are broken down into cholesterol and fatty acids and carbohydrates are broken down into simple sugars.
Digestive enzymes are produced to some extent in the salivary glands and stomach, but mainly in the pancreas and small intestines. If your body doesn’t have enough digestive enzymes, food won’t be broken down well enough for you to absorb nutrients.
You may lack digestive enzymes if you suffer from chronic stress, have low stomach acid or an inflammation in the digestive tract caused by food allergies. Aging may cause decreases enzyme output and digestive function, so people over 40 should take special care to eat a healthy diet and get enough exercise.
The digestive enzyme lipase breaks down the fats you eat into glycerol and fatty acids so they can be absorbed by the intestines. Lipase isn’t found in food, but is only produced by the body and found in wheatgrass. It’s also been named as a metabolism booster that may help with weight loss.
Two other essential digestive enzymes, amylase and protease, are present in wheatgrass, and wheatgrass has several hundred other enzymes not found in food.
8. Wheatgrass May Reduce Digestive Problems Caused by Ulcerative Colitis
Pancreatic cancer, chronic pancreatitis or cystic fibrosis may interfere with enzyme production. Crohn’s disease and Celiac disease, two long-term but less serious disorders of the digestive system, may also cause lack of digestive enzymes.
- Celiac disease, also called gluten intolerance, occurs when eating gluten damages the small intestines. Gluten is found in wheat, rye and barley. One in 100 people worldwide have this disorder, according to the Celiac Disease Foundation. People with diagnosed Celiac disease should check with their doctors before taking a wheatgrass supplement and contact the manufacturers of wheatgrass supplements to ensure they are gluten-free before using.
- Crohn’s disease, also called ileitis, damages the lining of the digestive tract. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the GI tract, but it usually upsets the end of the small bowel and/or the beginning of the colon. Symptoms may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, constipation and fatigue. Crohn’s disease may be confused with ulcerative colitis, an inflammation of the large intestine. This 2002 study (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11989836 ) shows that wheatgrass juice reduced inflammation, rectal bleeding and other symptoms of ulcerative colitis in 78% of patients who received it, while only 30% of participants who got a placebo showed improvement.
9. Wheatgrass Aids Digestion by Affecting Overall Health
Wheatgrass not only has enzymes and amino acids to aid digestion, it has dozens of minerals, vitamins and other nutrients to improve many aspects of your health. The chlorophyll in wheatgrass boosts cell growth, increasing the number of red blood cells in your body to prevent anemia.
It reduces or eliminates body odor, and helps control bad breath, which is particularly important for elderly or infirm people. And it’s high in fiber, making wheatgrass supplements a great option for people who want to lose or maintain their weight while aiding digestion.
10. Wheatgrass Aids Digestion Problems Caused by Stress
Stress is one of the most common threats to our digestive health, not to mention our nervous systems. Constant worry does more than give you butterflies in your stomach. It can alter the way your digestive system works, causing irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, ulcers, diarrhea or constipation.
You can actively reduce stress through dietary changes (avoiding processed or junk food), getting more exercise, and practicing yoga or meditation.
Taking a wheatgrass supplement daily will help your body (and mind) stay strong when faced with stressful situations. Wheatgrass contains B complex vitamins, including Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12, which improve cognitive function and reduce the effects of stress.
The Vitamin C and Vitamin E in wheatgrass have antioxidants to fight cell-damaging free radicals and manage anxiety. Control stress and you’ll find your digestive problems disappear along with the butterflies in your stomach.
Wheatgrass aids digestion in several ways – not only does it help with the physical aspects of enzymes breaking down food, it has a positive influence on anxiety and depression, two conditions that may lead to poor digestion.
Wheatgrass Aids Digestion, Balances Mood and Helps You Lose Weight
Wheatgrass has so many nutrients essential to digestion and overall health you’ll see an improvement in your bowel movements shortly after using it, even if you’ve suffered from constipation, IBS, gas or other problems for an extended length of time. Wheatgrass isn’t a one-time, one-benefit supplement.
You can take it for years to maintain good digestion, better skin, nails and hair, a better nervous system, increased mental clarity and other positive effects. Wheatgrass aids digestion, but it does so much more, you’ll use it for dozens of other reasons.
Zeal O2, Happy Girl and REVV from WheatgrassLove Offer the Power of Wheatgrass with Other Herbs for Better Health
Wheatgrass aids digestion, and all Wheatgrass Love products help keep your digestive system strong while providing other health benefits.
We offer wheatgrass supplements formulated for anxiety and depression (Happy Girl Mood Enhancer), energy and mental focus (REVV Natural Energy Supplement) and weight loss (Zeal O2 Natural Weight Loss Supplement and Energy Booster).
All Wheatgrass Love products are made with the finest, high value wheatgrass and provide complete nutrition from essential and nonessential amino acids, hundreds of enzymes, (including the digestive enzymes amylase, protease and lipase) and up to 90 out of 102 possible minerals.
We add extra B-complex vitamins in the herbal proprietary blend for Zeal O2 and Happy Girl. This proprietary blend adds even more health benefits to our wheatgrass products, with cayenne pepper, fat-burning Citrus Aurantium ,green tea extract, ginger and close to a dozen other herbs blended in for optimum nutritional value.
Happy Girl Mood Enhancer Keeps You Calm and Focused Naturally
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Happy Girl’s formula is adjusted to treat mild to moderate depression and anxiety naturally, with just the right amount of B vitamins for extra energy and focus for PMS, your monthly cycle, menopause and anytime. Even though we call it Happy Girl, the formula also works for men and seniors looking for a natural anti-stress solution!
Zeal O2 Natural Weight Loss Supplement Helps You Burn Fat and Curb Your Appetite!
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The wheatgrass in Zeal O2 helps keep your appetite in check while it burns fat! This 100% natural formula gives you all the benefits of wheatgrass plus added B-complex vitamins and herbs for energy.
REVV Natural Energy Supplement Gives You Focus and Vitality Without the “Crash” of Energy Drinks!
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REVV Natural energy Supplement gives you energy whenever and wherever you need ot. These delicious chocolate wafers have all the power of wheatgrass, plus brain power boosting Periwinkle herb and L-Taurine for a healthier heart and more mental clarity.
Give us a call at 877-303-1717 to place your order! We’ll be glad to answer any questions you may have about our wheatgrass products! Always talk to your doctor before using any dietary supplement.
