Discover the Amazing Super-Juice!
Enthusiasts claim wheatgrass juice can do everything from freshen your breath to ward off cancer. Here’s what you need to know to start juicing up your good health.
You’ve probably seen the greenish elixir in health food stores and juice bars lately; wheatgrass juice seems to be sprouting up all over the country. Ask one of the thousands of American who drink it and they’ll tell you why: it enhances energy and protects against disease.
“Wheatgrass is the king of juices- one ounce is equal in nutritional value to a pound and a half of fresh vegetables,” claims urologist James Balch, M.D., co-author of Prescription for Nutritional Healing. “It’s rich in vitamins A, C and E,as well as calcium, phosphorus, iron, potassium, cobalt and zinc.”
Most important, wheatgrass juice is loaded with chlorophyll, a natural substance that “purifies the blood, suppresses bacterial growth and counteracts toxins,” Dr. Balch says.
In fact, chlorophyll accounts for more than 70% of the solids in wheatgrass juice. Regularly gulping down 1-ounce shots of this tangy vitality tonic may:
Help prevent cancer
Almost 20 years ago, biologist Chiu-NanLai of the University of Texas System Cancer Center reported that the chlorophyll in wheatgrass juice has the power to stop carcinogens. Now new animal studies from University of Hawaii biochemist Roderick Dashwood, Ph.D.,are confirming that foods rich in chlorophyll shield the body against the effects of carcinogens found in smoked or barbecued meats and protect you from aflatoxins, dangerous molds that can develop in peanuts, oils and other foods.
What makes chlorophyll such a powerful cancer-fighter? According to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the secret is its ability to bind with cancer-causing chemicals while they are still in the digestive tract, thus blocking their absorption into the body.
Boost immunity
Wheatgrass juice has long been used by health-conscious consumers to kill common cold and flu viruses and to stimulate the immune system’s ability to battle infections. “Chlorophyll possesses an anti-bacterial action, making it a good inner and outer wound-healing agent,” explains Earl Mindell, Ph.D.,author of Live Longer & Feel Better with Vitamins and Minerals.
Freshen breath
Swirling a little bit of wheatgrass juice around in your mouth and running it over your gums with your tongue will ward off bad breath, say many wheatgrass users. Chlorophyll apparently contains a substance that neutralizes bad odors for up to six hours. In fact, it’s listed as the active ingredient in many breath fresheners, including Clorets and a new, all-natural one called Perfect Breath.
Where can I get my fill?
Wheatgrass juice is on the menu at juice bars across the country, sold in 1-ounce powershots. You can also sprout it at home from organic wheatberries sold in natural food stores or with seeds from Life Sprouts (800-241-1516). Optimal time for juicing the grass is when it is 6″ high. Don’t have a green thumb? Opt for wheatgrass tablets or powder, sold by Pines International (800-MY-PINES). Or trychlorophyll tablets from vitamin stores. Dosage varies. Follow label instructions.
AS SEEN IN Women’s World, March 4, 1997 / Written by Christine Lyons
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NOTE FROM PINES
While we appreciate the press coverage of wheat grass, we don’t necessarily agree with all the claims we hear and see. There is no solid evidence, for instance, that people should use it thinking it will “kill the common cold and flu viruses.” Taking our organic wheat grass has reportedly led to remarkable health benefits in individual cases, and wheat grass is certainly a good source of nutrients and fiber, but we don’t want to make it out to be a magical cure-all.
