Wheatgrass is one of the healthiest foods you can consume. We say consume instead of eat, because you can’t eat it like you can eat kale or spinach, but you can take it in supplement form or drink it as wheatgrass juice. 

Wheatgrass has hundreds of nutrients, including amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and minerals, so it can help to boost physical and mental health (along with a balanced diet.)   

Wheatgrass juice is a highly-publicized, popular form of wheatgrass. However, juice isn’t the best way to get the benefits of wheatgrass. Wheatgrass pills, or supplements, are much more efficient, and much safer.

Here are several common wheatgrass side effects – you’re more likely to experience these if you drink wheatgrass juice, although a few people may experience them from taking wheatgrass supplements.  

Headaches 

Some people get a headache after taking wheatgrass in juice form. The headache may be a sign your body doesn’t tolerate the juice. Try taking a supplement instead and see if the headaches persist. Supplements are the safest way to enjoy the benefits of wheatgrass. 

Wheatgrass juice may become contaminated by Listeria, which causes bad headaches. This is another reason why taking a wheatgrass supplement is safer. 

Constipation

While some people experience diarrhea when drinking wheatgrass juice (and to a certain extent, when taking certain wheatgrass supplements), others may become constipated. Stop using wheatgrass if the condition persists, or switch to a safer form of wheatgrass, such as a supplement that’s approved by the Natural Products Association.  

Nausea 

You may also feel nauseous when drinking wheatgrass juice. Some people think the nausea is a sign that the wheatgrass is detoxing your body, while others think the stomach upset is due to intolerance. If you take a wheatgrass pill instead, you may avoid nausea, or only experience it when you first take the supplement.

If you are gluten intolerant, wheatgrass may make you nauseous, as it sometimes contains gluten. Talk to your doctor before taking wheatgrass if you have celiac disease. Side effects from gluten may start within minutes of taking wheatgrass, or up to four hours later. 

Wheatgrass juice is usually made from the stems and leaves, but a seed may occasionally get into the drink and contaminate it with gluten. Choose a wheatgrass pill instead of juice to avoid gluten. Most wheatgrass supplements are manufactured under strict GMP manufacturing conditions to ensure a safe, gluten-free product.   

If you experience any discomfort when you first take a supplement, it should quickly pass. As your body adjusts to taking the supplement daily, you won’t experience nausea or other side effects.  

Allergies

Wheatgrass may cause allergies if you drink it in juice form. Some people may develop hives or other symptoms on or in various parts of the body within a few minutes of wheatgrass consumption. 

When chemicals that combat the allergens overproduce in your body, you’ll develop symptoms. Wheatgrass allergies may result in vomiting, cramping or diarrhea in extreme cases. Nausea hives and congestions are more common symptoms. Anyone allergic to wheat should avoid wheatgrass juice. 

Teeth Stains from Wheatgrass Juice 

Drinking wheatgrass may stain your teeth, so you are better off taking a wheatgrass pill instead. Even if you brush your teeth after drinking wheatgrass, the green juice will end up dimming your smile if you drink it regularly.   

Appetite Loss 

Some wheatgrass supplements contain extra ingredients, like cayenne pepper or green tea extract, that have been shown to increase metabolism and boost weight loss. If you want to lose weight, check out Zeal 02 Natural Weight Loss Supplement. 

This wheatgrass-based supplement is specifically formulated to suppress your appetite safely and naturally to lose weight. Choose another wheatgrass supplement if you are satisfied with your weight. 

REVV Natural Energy Enhancing Supplement and Happy Girl, to still anxiety and control depression, are other choices from Wheatgrass Love. 

Mold from Wheatgrass Used in Juice 

Wheatgrass sprouts in a moist environment, and this may lead to contaminated juice. You can’t be sure if the juice you buy at the supermarket or in a retail store was made from moldy wheatgrass, so it’s safer to take a supplement.

Blue fuzz mold can be wiped off the surface of wheatgrass, but brown or white mold indicate spoilage. Dispose of any wheatgrass with brown or white mold. If wheatgrass juice tastes bitter, throw it away – it was probably made with moldy grass.  

If wheatgrass juice is made in a humid room with low circulation, it may become contaminated. Bacteria in unrefrigerated wheatgrass juice doubles in ten minutes.

 

Why Wheatgrass Supplements are Safer than Wheatgrass Juice 

Wheatgrass supplements are safer than wheatgrass juice because you don’t need to worry about how it’s been stored or manufactured. Of course, some supplement manufacturers are more efficient than others, so always read labels and information on websites carefully.  

A bottle of wheatgrass pills gives you a month of nutrients and health. You’ll spend the same amount on a week’s worth of wheatgrass juice drinks from a retail chain. You can take wheatgrass pills with you anywhere, without worrying about liquid spoiling from high temperatures.

Supplement manufacturers use high-grade wheatgrass, and the pills are made in regulated laboratories and pass quality assurance tests before bottling. Certified technicians and chemists are involved in the manufacturing and vetting process.  

Juicing machines may not be cleaned properly in some retail chains. One such chain that sells wheatgrass juice has a disclaimer posted in their stores. It reads “Wheatgrass juice may contain harmful bacteria that can cause serious illness in the elderly, children, and people with weakened immune systems.” 

Wheatgrass itself is a super nutrient – the way it’s prepared for human consumption makes the difference between a safe energy or health boost and possible side effects. 

Choose high-quality supplements from Wheatgrass Love to reap the benefits of wheatgrass with the side effects of wheatgrass juice. Zeal 02 gives you the appetite suppressing qualities of wheatgrass, along with a blend of metabolism-friendly herbs including green tea extract, cayenne pepper, ginger, gotu kola, and ginseng. 

REVV Energy Enhancing Wafers have a chocolate mint flavor and include caffeine, choline, and periwinkle herb to increase the energy and focus of wheatgrass. Happy Girl has cayenne pepper, ginger, green tea extract and other ingredients along with wheatgrass to balance your mood and reduce stress.

Learn more about wheatgrass and Wheatgrass Love products here.