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- "Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology"; Antioxidant Effect of Triticum Aestivium (Wheat Grass) in High-Fat Diet-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rabbits; J. Sethy, et al.; May 2010
- "Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology"; Antioxidant Effect of Triticum Aestivium (Wheat Grass) in High-Fat Diet-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rabbits; J. Sethy, et al.; May 2010
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What Are the Benefits of Wheatgrass for Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure?
Wheatgrass grows in the United States and Europe. Proponents of wheatgrass in the alternative medicine community claim that it has a number of health benefits, including antioxidant actions against free radicals, potentially harmful molecules that can destroy cellular DNA 2. No clinical studies have proven any benefit for wheatgrass in lowering cholesterol or treating hypertension in humans, although one animal study showed potential benefit in rabbits in lowering cholesterol.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Wheatgrass History
Ann Wigmore brought wheatgrass to the attention of the American public in the 1960s. Wigmore's foundation, the Creative Health Institute, was sued several times for making unsubstantiated claims that wheatgrass could heal a number of diseases, including AIDS, before her death in 1998.
Studies
Can You Eat Wheatgrass Raw?
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An animal study conducted by the Sharma University of Health Sciences in India published in the May 2010 issue of "Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology" looked at the effects of wheatgrass on rabbit with induced hypercholesterolemia 3. Thirty rabbits were divided into three groups: one on a normal diet, one on a high-fat diet and one on a high-fat diet with wheatgrass. The group receiving wheatgrass with the high-fat diet had reduced total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol. Human studies have not been done to show whether this benefit would extend to people.
- An animal study conducted by the Sharma University of Health Sciences in India published in the May 2010 issue of "Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology" looked at the effects of wheatgrass on rabbit with induced hypercholesterolemia 3.
- The group receiving wheatgrass with the high-fat diet had reduced total cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein, the "good" cholesterol.
Risks
Although wheatgrass has few proven benefits, it does have known risks. Because the grass is consumed raw, it can be contaminated with molds, bacteria and fungi. Pregnant or breastfeeding women should not take wheatgrass for this reason, the American Cancer Society advises 1. Nausea, headaches, hives, or throat swelling can occur shortly after digesting wheatgrass. These symptoms could occur as part of an allergic reaction, although wheatgrass advocates claims these reactions occur because wheatgrass is killing off toxins.
- Although wheatgrass has few proven benefits, it does have known risks.
- These symptoms could occur as part of an allergic reaction, although wheatgrass advocates claims these reactions occur because wheatgrass is killing off toxins.
Considerations
Wheatgrass & Weight Loss
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Do not substitute wheatgrass for prescribed medications to treat known health conditions such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure. Since no clinical proof exists for its effectiveness, you could develop worsening disease if you take wheatgrass instead to medications proven to work. Talk with your doctor before adding wheatgrass to your medication regimen if you have high cholesterol or blood pressure or any other health problems.
Related Articles
References
- American Cancer Society; Wheatgrass; November 2008
- National Council Against Health Fraud: Wheatgrass Therapy
- "Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology"; Antioxidant Effect of Triticum Aestivium (Wheat Grass) in High-Fat Diet-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rabbits; J. Sethy, et al.; May 2010
- City Farmer; Wheatgrass and Mold; 2008
- Wheat grass powder. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published April 1, 2019.
- Renu M, Preeti R. Health benefits of wheat grass — a wonder food. Int J Food Nutr Sci. 2013;2(4):10-13.
- Bar-Sela G, Cohen M, Ben-Arye E, Epelbaum R. The medical use of wheatgrass: Review of the gap between basic and clinical applications. Mini Rev Med Chem. 2015;15(12):1002-10. doi:10.2174/138955751512150731112836
- Wan P, Chen H, Guo Y, Bai AP. Advances in treatment of ulcerative colitis with herbs: From bench to bedside. World J Gastroenterol. 2014;20(39):14099-104. doi:10.3748/wjg.v20.i39.14099
- Bar-Sela G, Tsalic M, Fried G, Goldberg H. Wheat grass juice may improve hematological toxicity related to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients: A pilot study. Nutr Cancer. 2007;58(1):43-8. doi:10.1080/01635580701308083
- Kyada A, Chorai P. Myeloprotective effect of Triticum aestivum Linn. grass against antineoplastic agents induced bone marrow toxicity in mice. Trends in Pharmaceutical Sciences. 2017;3(3):169-180.
- Kothari S, Jain AK, Mehta SC, Tonpay SD. Hypolipidemic effect of fresh Triticum aestivum (wheat) grass juice in hypercholesterolemic rats. Acta Pol Pharm. 2011;68(2):291-4.
- Mutha AS, Shah KU, Kinikar AA, Ghongane BB. Efficacy and safety of wheat grass in thalassemic children on regular blood transfusion. Cureus. 2018;10(3):e2306. doi:10.7759/cureus.2306
- Parit SB, Dawkar VV, Tanpure RS, Pai SR, Chougale AD. Nutritional quality and antioxidant activity of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) unwrap by proteome profiling and DPPH and FRAP assays. J Food Sci. 2018;83(8):2127-2139. doi:10.1111/1750-3841.14224
- Wheat grass cold pressed juice. FoodData Central. U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published April 1, 2019.
Writer Bio
A registered nurse with more than 25 years of experience in oncology, labor/delivery, neonatal intensive care, infertility and ophthalmology, Sharon Perkins has also coauthored and edited numerous health books for the Wiley "Dummies" series. Perkins also has extensive experience working in home health with medically fragile pediatric patients.