Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWheatgrass Health BenefitsWheatgrass and Cancer LinkOther Potential BenefitsSide Effects
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Wheatgrass Health Benefits
Wheatgrass and Cancer Link
Other Potential Benefits
Side Effects
Wheatgrass is the young grass of the wheat plant. It’s low in calories and contains antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and protein. People often make it into a juice, and it also comes in powder or capsule form.
Some believe wheatgrass juice can help with health problems like nutrient deficiencies, diabetes, and heart disease.However, more scientific evidence may be needed to support these claims.
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1. It’s Considered a “Superfood”
Wheatgrass has an impressive nutrient profile, with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and 17amino acids. Eight of these amino acids are essential, meaning the body can’t produce them on its own, and they must be obtained through the diet.
Wheatgrass is sometimes called “green blood” because it contains about 70%chlorophyll, a pigment that gives plants a green color.While the exact amount of each nutrient varies, wheatgrass generally contains:
Research found that 2 ounces of wheatgrass juice has a similar nutrient composition as 5 pounds of raw vegetables, with twice as much vitamin A as carrots and more vitamin C than oranges.
2. Eliminates Toxins
Several studies suggest that wheatgrass’s enzymes, amino acids, and chlorophyll may help your body eliminate toxins and remove heavy metals from the bloodstream.
However, more human research is needed to confirm these benefits. Eating a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet with lean protein, fruits and vegetables, andfiberis the best way to support the body’s natural detoxification process.
3. Provides Energy
Wheatgrass contains B vitamins, which help initiate the process that turns your foods into usable energy.
It also contains carbohydrates, the body’s preferred energy source.One study notes that the nutrients in wheatgrass can help fill deficiencies in the diet, which may indirectly contribute to improved energy levels.
Another study found that wheatgrass juice enters the bloodstream in about 20 minutes when taken on an empty stomach, providing energy that can last all day.However, more human studies are needed.
4. Enhances Immune System
Wheatgrass contains antioxidants, selenium, iron, and vitamins A, B, and C. All of these are important for a healthy immune system.It’s also packed witholigosaccharides, a type of carbohydrate that research suggests has immune-boosting properties.
Another review highlights that the chlorophyll in wheatgrass is chemically similar to human blood and may strengthen the immune system.
5. Aids Digestion
The highfiberin wheatgrass promotes regular bowel movements.It also contains threonine, an essential amino acid that supports the production ofdigestive enzymes. These enzymes help break down food and improve nutrient absorption.
6. Boosts Metabolism
Another study found that the chlorophyll in wheatgrass may also help regulate metabolism.
7. Lowers Cholesterol
The fibers in wheatgrass, particularlyarabinoxylans, may help lower cholesterol.In one study, participants with high cholesterol received 3.5 grams of freeze-dried wheatgrass powder or placebo(a substance with no active properties given to people in a control group) daily for 10 weeks. Researchers found those who took wheatgrass powder experienced an average reduction of 5.4% in total cholesterol, a 4.4% decrease in harmfullow-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesteroland a 9.5% reduction intriglycerides.
8. Improves Cognitive Function
Wheatgrass is high in antioxidants, which may help prevent damage toDNAin different parts of the brain, especially the areas involved in memory and learning.
However, more research is needed to determine whether wheatgrass improves human cognitive function.
9. Helps With Type 2 Diabetes
One study examined people with non-insulin-dependent diabetes and found that those who consumed 3 grams of wheatgrass powder daily for 60 days experienced significant improvements in fasting andnon-fasting blood sugar.
The study’s authors suggest these effects may be due to wheatgrass’s phenolic compounds, such as alkaloids,flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and sterols. However, more human research is needed to confirm these findings.
10. Eases Arthritis Pain
11. Fights Infections
Wheatgrass is an excellent source of chlorophyllin, a form of chlorophyll that has antibacterial properties and helps with skin infections and wound healing.
Research shows the bioactive compounds (those having a biological effect) in wheatgrass may also fight against various microorganisms and foodborne illnesses, includingStaphylococcus aureusandEscherichia coli(E. coli) bacteria.
Is There a Link Between Wheatgrass and Cancer?
The compounds and nutrients in wheatgrass may help:
A preliminary study found wheatgrass may improvewhite blood cell counts during chemotherapy. A low white blood cell count can increase the risk of infection during treatment.
Other research suggests that antioxidants and other nutrients in wheatgrass may help reduce inflammation and positively affectcolorectal cancer. However, further human studies are needed before official recommendations can be made.
Limited evidence suggests that wheatgrass may also help with:
More, extensive human studies are needed to determine the potential benefits of wheatgrass for these conditions and to establish a recommended dose.
Wheatgrass is usually safe and well tolerated, with no significant side effects. More concentrated forms may increase the risk of gas,bloating, and abdominal pain. This could be due to its higher fiber content, which can be harder for some to digest.
Also, due to its highvitamin Kcontent, wheatgrass may interfere with the effectiveness ofblood-thinning medicationslike Jantoven (warfarin).
Before trying wheatgrass, speak with a healthcare provider to discuss safety, potential medication interactions, and side effects.
Is Wheatgrass Gluten-Free?Even though it comes from wheat, wheatgrass is consideredgluten-free. This is because it’s harvested from a young wheat plant before the gluten-containing seeds sprout.
Is Wheatgrass Gluten-Free?
Even though it comes from wheat, wheatgrass is consideredgluten-free. This is because it’s harvested from a young wheat plant before the gluten-containing seeds sprout.
Summary
Wheatgrass is high in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and other compounds that may help lower inflammation, decrease blood sugar, and improve immune function. It may also help with digestion, arthritis pain, and metabolic health.
However, most research has occurred with wheatgrass compounds in test tubes or animal studies rather than in humans. However, wheatgrass is generally safe and well-tolerated. Speak with a healthcare provider to ensure wheatgrass is a good option for you.
24 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tullo A, Abera S.Review on nutrient contents and health benefits of wheatgrass juice.Int J Smart Agric. 2023;1(1):32-39 doi:10.54536/ijsa.v1i1.2193Khan MS, Parveen R, Mishra K, Tulsawani R, Ahmad S.Chromatographic analysis of wheatgrass extracts.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2015;7(4):267-271. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.168023U.S. Department of Agriculture.Wheat grass powder.Sharma A, Yadav M, Sharma N, et al.Comparison of wheatgrass juices from colored wheat (white, black, blue, and purple) for health promoting phytochemicals.Food Research International. 2022;161:111833. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111833Eissa HA, Mohamed SS, Hussein AMS.Nutritional value and impact of wheatgrass juice (Green blood therapy) on increasing fertility in male albino rats.Bull Natl Res Cent. 2020;44(1):30. doi:10.1186/s42269-020-0272-xAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics.What’s the deal with detox diets?.MedlinePlus.B vitamins.MedlinePlus.Carbohydrates.Singhal V, Singhal A, Bangr O, et al.Multifunctional role of green blood therapy to cure for many diseases.Chron Young Sci. 2012;3(1):12. doi:10.4103/2229-5186.94305Calder PC.Foods to deliver immune-supporting nutrients.Curr Opin Food Sci. 2022;43:136-145. doi:10.1016/j.cofs.2021.12.006Tsai CC, Lin CR, Tsai HY, et al.The immunologically active oligosaccharides isolated from wheatgrass modulate monocytes via toll-like receptor-2 signaling.Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2013;288(24):17689-17697. doi:10.1074/jbc.M112.448381Minocha N, Saini S, Pandey P.Nutritional prospects of wheatgrass (triticum aestivum) and its effects in treatment and chemoprevention.Explor Med. 2022;3(5):432-442. doi:10.37349/emed.2022.00104MedlinePlus.Dietary fiber.Kumar N, Iyer U.Impact of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) supplementation on atherogenic lipoproteins and menopausal symptoms in hyperlipidemic south Asian women - a randomized controlled study.J Diet Suppl. 2017;14(5):503-513. doi:10.1080/19390211.2016.1267063Khalil MG, Ali AA, Hassanin SO, Al-Najjar AH, Ghosh S, Mahmoud MO.Comparative study on the effect of EGCG and wheat grass together with mental and physical activities against induction of Alzheimer’s disease in both isolated and socialized rats.Phytomedicine Plus. 2022;2(1):100146. doi:10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100146Choudhary MM, Nalwade VM.Effect of supplementation of wheat grass (Triticum aestivum L.) powder on blood glucose level of selected diabetic subjects.FSRJ. 2016;7(2):170-175. doi:10.15740/HAS/FSRJ/7.2/170-175Banerjee S, Katiyar P, Kumar V, et al.Wheatgrass inhibits the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory effect in RAW 264.7 macrophages.Curr Res Toxicol. 2021;2:116-127. doi:10.1016/j.crtox.2021.02.005Mishra N, Tripathi R, Pandey D, Shah K, Chauhan NS.Wheatgrass (triticum aestivum): a miraculous microgreen: an overview.Journal of Future Foods. 2025;5(3):239-247. doi:10.1016/j.jfutfo.2024.07.003National Cancer Institute.Wheatgrass juice.Avisar A, Cohen M, Katz R, Shentzer Kutiel T, Aharon A, Bar-Sela G.Wheatgrass juice administration and immune measures during adjuvant chemotherapy in colon cancer patients: Preliminary results.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020;13(6):129. doi:10.3390/ph13060129Tamraz M, Al Ghossaini N, Temraz S.The role of wheatgrass in colorectal cancer: A review of the current evidence.Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(10):5166. doi:10.3390/ijms25105166Bar-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):1002-1010. doi:10.2174/138955751512150731112836National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin K: fact sheet for health professionals.U.S. Department of Agriculture.Confirmation of gluten-free status of wheatgrass.
24 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Tullo A, Abera S.Review on nutrient contents and health benefits of wheatgrass juice.Int J Smart Agric. 2023;1(1):32-39 doi:10.54536/ijsa.v1i1.2193Khan MS, Parveen R, Mishra K, Tulsawani R, Ahmad S.Chromatographic analysis of wheatgrass extracts.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2015;7(4):267-271. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.168023U.S. Department of Agriculture.Wheat grass powder.Sharma A, Yadav M, Sharma N, et al.Comparison of wheatgrass juices from colored wheat (white, black, blue, and purple) for health promoting phytochemicals.Food Research International. 2022;161:111833. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111833Eissa HA, Mohamed SS, Hussein AMS.Nutritional value and impact of wheatgrass juice (Green blood therapy) on increasing fertility in male albino rats.Bull Natl Res Cent. 2020;44(1):30. doi:10.1186/s42269-020-0272-xAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics.What’s the deal with detox diets?.MedlinePlus.B vitamins.MedlinePlus.Carbohydrates.Singhal V, Singhal A, Bangr O, et al.Multifunctional role of green blood therapy to cure for many diseases.Chron Young Sci. 2012;3(1):12. doi:10.4103/2229-5186.94305Calder PC.Foods to deliver immune-supporting nutrients.Curr Opin Food Sci. 2022;43:136-145. doi:10.1016/j.cofs.2021.12.006Tsai CC, Lin CR, Tsai HY, et al.The immunologically active oligosaccharides isolated from wheatgrass modulate monocytes via toll-like receptor-2 signaling.Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2013;288(24):17689-17697. doi:10.1074/jbc.M112.448381Minocha N, Saini S, Pandey P.Nutritional prospects of wheatgrass (triticum aestivum) and its effects in treatment and chemoprevention.Explor Med. 2022;3(5):432-442. doi:10.37349/emed.2022.00104MedlinePlus.Dietary fiber.Kumar N, Iyer U.Impact of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) supplementation on atherogenic lipoproteins and menopausal symptoms in hyperlipidemic south Asian women - a randomized controlled study.J Diet Suppl. 2017;14(5):503-513. doi:10.1080/19390211.2016.1267063Khalil MG, Ali AA, Hassanin SO, Al-Najjar AH, Ghosh S, Mahmoud MO.Comparative study on the effect of EGCG and wheat grass together with mental and physical activities against induction of Alzheimer’s disease in both isolated and socialized rats.Phytomedicine Plus. 2022;2(1):100146. doi:10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100146Choudhary MM, Nalwade VM.Effect of supplementation of wheat grass (Triticum aestivum L.) powder on blood glucose level of selected diabetic subjects.FSRJ. 2016;7(2):170-175. doi:10.15740/HAS/FSRJ/7.2/170-175Banerjee S, Katiyar P, Kumar V, et al.Wheatgrass inhibits the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory effect in RAW 264.7 macrophages.Curr Res Toxicol. 2021;2:116-127. doi:10.1016/j.crtox.2021.02.005Mishra N, Tripathi R, Pandey D, Shah K, Chauhan NS.Wheatgrass (triticum aestivum): a miraculous microgreen: an overview.Journal of Future Foods. 2025;5(3):239-247. doi:10.1016/j.jfutfo.2024.07.003National Cancer Institute.Wheatgrass juice.Avisar A, Cohen M, Katz R, Shentzer Kutiel T, Aharon A, Bar-Sela G.Wheatgrass juice administration and immune measures during adjuvant chemotherapy in colon cancer patients: Preliminary results.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020;13(6):129. doi:10.3390/ph13060129Tamraz M, Al Ghossaini N, Temraz S.The role of wheatgrass in colorectal cancer: A review of the current evidence.Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(10):5166. doi:10.3390/ijms25105166Bar-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):1002-1010. doi:10.2174/138955751512150731112836National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin K: fact sheet for health professionals.U.S. Department of Agriculture.Confirmation of gluten-free status of wheatgrass.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Tullo A, Abera S.Review on nutrient contents and health benefits of wheatgrass juice.Int J Smart Agric. 2023;1(1):32-39 doi:10.54536/ijsa.v1i1.2193Khan MS, Parveen R, Mishra K, Tulsawani R, Ahmad S.Chromatographic analysis of wheatgrass extracts.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2015;7(4):267-271. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.168023U.S. Department of Agriculture.Wheat grass powder.Sharma A, Yadav M, Sharma N, et al.Comparison of wheatgrass juices from colored wheat (white, black, blue, and purple) for health promoting phytochemicals.Food Research International. 2022;161:111833. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111833Eissa HA, Mohamed SS, Hussein AMS.Nutritional value and impact of wheatgrass juice (Green blood therapy) on increasing fertility in male albino rats.Bull Natl Res Cent. 2020;44(1):30. doi:10.1186/s42269-020-0272-xAcademy of Nutrition and Dietetics.What’s the deal with detox diets?.MedlinePlus.B vitamins.MedlinePlus.Carbohydrates.Singhal V, Singhal A, Bangr O, et al.Multifunctional role of green blood therapy to cure for many diseases.Chron Young Sci. 2012;3(1):12. doi:10.4103/2229-5186.94305Calder PC.Foods to deliver immune-supporting nutrients.Curr Opin Food Sci. 2022;43:136-145. doi:10.1016/j.cofs.2021.12.006Tsai CC, Lin CR, Tsai HY, et al.The immunologically active oligosaccharides isolated from wheatgrass modulate monocytes via toll-like receptor-2 signaling.Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2013;288(24):17689-17697. doi:10.1074/jbc.M112.448381Minocha N, Saini S, Pandey P.Nutritional prospects of wheatgrass (triticum aestivum) and its effects in treatment and chemoprevention.Explor Med. 2022;3(5):432-442. doi:10.37349/emed.2022.00104MedlinePlus.Dietary fiber.Kumar N, Iyer U.Impact of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) supplementation on atherogenic lipoproteins and menopausal symptoms in hyperlipidemic south Asian women - a randomized controlled study.J Diet Suppl. 2017;14(5):503-513. doi:10.1080/19390211.2016.1267063Khalil MG, Ali AA, Hassanin SO, Al-Najjar AH, Ghosh S, Mahmoud MO.Comparative study on the effect of EGCG and wheat grass together with mental and physical activities against induction of Alzheimer’s disease in both isolated and socialized rats.Phytomedicine Plus. 2022;2(1):100146. doi:10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100146Choudhary MM, Nalwade VM.Effect of supplementation of wheat grass (Triticum aestivum L.) powder on blood glucose level of selected diabetic subjects.FSRJ. 2016;7(2):170-175. doi:10.15740/HAS/FSRJ/7.2/170-175Banerjee S, Katiyar P, Kumar V, et al.Wheatgrass inhibits the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory effect in RAW 264.7 macrophages.Curr Res Toxicol. 2021;2:116-127. doi:10.1016/j.crtox.2021.02.005Mishra N, Tripathi R, Pandey D, Shah K, Chauhan NS.Wheatgrass (triticum aestivum): a miraculous microgreen: an overview.Journal of Future Foods. 2025;5(3):239-247. doi:10.1016/j.jfutfo.2024.07.003National Cancer Institute.Wheatgrass juice.Avisar A, Cohen M, Katz R, Shentzer Kutiel T, Aharon A, Bar-Sela G.Wheatgrass juice administration and immune measures during adjuvant chemotherapy in colon cancer patients: Preliminary results.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020;13(6):129. doi:10.3390/ph13060129Tamraz M, Al Ghossaini N, Temraz S.The role of wheatgrass in colorectal cancer: A review of the current evidence.Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(10):5166. doi:10.3390/ijms25105166Bar-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):1002-1010. doi:10.2174/138955751512150731112836National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin K: fact sheet for health professionals.U.S. Department of Agriculture.Confirmation of gluten-free status of wheatgrass.
Tullo A, Abera S.Review on nutrient contents and health benefits of wheatgrass juice.Int J Smart Agric. 2023;1(1):32-39 doi:10.54536/ijsa.v1i1.2193
Khan MS, Parveen R, Mishra K, Tulsawani R, Ahmad S.Chromatographic analysis of wheatgrass extracts.J Pharm Bioallied Sci. 2015;7(4):267-271. doi:10.4103/0975-7406.168023
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Wheat grass powder.
Sharma A, Yadav M, Sharma N, et al.Comparison of wheatgrass juices from colored wheat (white, black, blue, and purple) for health promoting phytochemicals.Food Research International. 2022;161:111833. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2022.111833
Eissa HA, Mohamed SS, Hussein AMS.Nutritional value and impact of wheatgrass juice (Green blood therapy) on increasing fertility in male albino rats.Bull Natl Res Cent. 2020;44(1):30. doi:10.1186/s42269-020-0272-x
Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.What’s the deal with detox diets?.
MedlinePlus.B vitamins.
MedlinePlus.Carbohydrates.
Singhal V, Singhal A, Bangr O, et al.Multifunctional role of green blood therapy to cure for many diseases.Chron Young Sci. 2012;3(1):12. doi:10.4103/2229-5186.94305
Calder PC.Foods to deliver immune-supporting nutrients.Curr Opin Food Sci. 2022;43:136-145. doi:10.1016/j.cofs.2021.12.006
Tsai CC, Lin CR, Tsai HY, et al.The immunologically active oligosaccharides isolated from wheatgrass modulate monocytes via toll-like receptor-2 signaling.Journal of Biological Chemistry. 2013;288(24):17689-17697. doi:10.1074/jbc.M112.448381
Minocha N, Saini S, Pandey P.Nutritional prospects of wheatgrass (triticum aestivum) and its effects in treatment and chemoprevention.Explor Med. 2022;3(5):432-442. doi:10.37349/emed.2022.00104
MedlinePlus.Dietary fiber.
Kumar N, Iyer U.Impact of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum L.) supplementation on atherogenic lipoproteins and menopausal symptoms in hyperlipidemic south Asian women - a randomized controlled study.J Diet Suppl. 2017;14(5):503-513. doi:10.1080/19390211.2016.1267063
Khalil MG, Ali AA, Hassanin SO, Al-Najjar AH, Ghosh S, Mahmoud MO.Comparative study on the effect of EGCG and wheat grass together with mental and physical activities against induction of Alzheimer’s disease in both isolated and socialized rats.Phytomedicine Plus. 2022;2(1):100146. doi:10.1016/j.phyplu.2021.100146
Choudhary MM, Nalwade VM.Effect of supplementation of wheat grass (Triticum aestivum L.) powder on blood glucose level of selected diabetic subjects.FSRJ. 2016;7(2):170-175. doi:10.15740/HAS/FSRJ/7.2/170-175
Banerjee S, Katiyar P, Kumar V, et al.Wheatgrass inhibits the lipopolysaccharide-stimulated inflammatory effect in RAW 264.7 macrophages.Curr Res Toxicol. 2021;2:116-127. doi:10.1016/j.crtox.2021.02.005
Mishra N, Tripathi R, Pandey D, Shah K, Chauhan NS.Wheatgrass (triticum aestivum): a miraculous microgreen: an overview.Journal of Future Foods. 2025;5(3):239-247. doi:10.1016/j.jfutfo.2024.07.003
National Cancer Institute.Wheatgrass juice.
Avisar A, Cohen M, Katz R, Shentzer Kutiel T, Aharon A, Bar-Sela G.Wheatgrass juice administration and immune measures during adjuvant chemotherapy in colon cancer patients: Preliminary results.Pharmaceuticals (Basel). 2020;13(6):129. doi:10.3390/ph13060129
Tamraz M, Al Ghossaini N, Temraz S.The role of wheatgrass in colorectal cancer: A review of the current evidence.Int J Mol Sci. 2024;25(10):5166. doi:10.3390/ijms25105166
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):1002-1010. doi:10.2174/138955751512150731112836
National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.Vitamin K: fact sheet for health professionals.
U.S. Department of Agriculture.Confirmation of gluten-free status of wheatgrass.
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