Wheatgrass is a superfood that has many nutrients and antioxidants. It may help boost your immune system, aid in digestion, and give you energy.

Wheatgrass is a food made from the Triticum aestivum plant. It’s regarded as a potent health food with various benefits.

It’s usually consumed as a fresh juice, but it also comes in powdered form. Fresh wheatgrass juice is considered to be a “living food.” Living foods are natural products that are as close to their original form as possible to maintain their active nutrients and ingredients.

It can be used as an everyday health tonic and may help with specific conditions. More research is needed to truly determine its efficacy.

Keep reading to discover the possible benefits of wheatgrass.

Some people consider wheatgrass to be a superfood. A superfood is a food that is rich in compounds, like antioxidants or fiber, and is considered beneficial to your health.

Its combination of vitamins and nutrients may make wheatgrass a good addition to enhance your well-being. Wheatgrass has antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties.

It contains the following nutrients that may be beneficial to your health:

  • iron
  • calcium
  • enzymes
  • magnesium
  • phytonutrients
  • 17 amino acids
  • vitamins A, C, E, K, and B complex
  • chlorophyll
  • proteins

The nutrients in wheatgrass may aid your body in getting rid of impurities and stored toxins.

The chlorophyll in wheatgrass has been mentioned in research to detoxify the body. It may also strengthen the immune system and regulate your metabolism. However, more research is needed to verify wether it can detoxify your body.

Learn about herbal detoxes.

According to 2022 research, wheatgrass contains both essential and nonessential amino acids. These amino acids result in high quality proteins which can aid in digestion.

A review from 2024Trusted Source also notes that wheatgrass has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. This may help with various digestive issues, such as colitis-related issues. The review also notes that while more research is needed, wheatgrass, along with a balanced diet may have protective properties against colorectal cancer.

According to research from 2017Trusted Source on Asain females, 3.5g of wheatgrass each day for 10 weeks lowered total cholesterol levels. It also improved levels of triglycerides.

An animal study from 2015 also found that fresh wheatgrass juice helped to lower lipids and increase HDL levels in rats. People often refer to HDL as “good” cholesterol. HDLs pick up excess cholesterol in your blood and help carry it back to your liver, where it is broken down and removed from your body.

The nutrients in wheatgrass may help boost your immune system.

A review from 2024 notes that dietary interventions that support the immune system may be important for those with colorectal cancer. The authors suggest that the vitamins and nutrients in wheatgrass may make it an important addition for those with colorectal cancer. However, the authors also note that more research is needed.

A preliminary study from 2020Trusted Source found that wheatgrass juice may have positive effects on the immune system, especially in people undergoing chemotherapy.

Wheatgrass juice is derived from the mature sprouts of wheat seeds. Wheat is a good source of energyTrusted Source because it contains carbohydrates, as well as significant levels of other important nutrients like:

  • proteins
  • fiber
  • vitamins
  • minerals

This means that consuming wheatgrass can help boost your energy levels. The FDA bases their recommendations for certain foods off a 2,000 calorieTrusted Source per day diet for adults. According to the most recent dietary guidelines for Americans, this includes 3 ounces (oz)Trusted Source or less of whole grains per day. Whole grains include wheatgrass.

You should follow the recommended serving amount on the label of the brand of wheatgrass you buy.

Wheatgrass has been proclaimedTrusted Source as an antidiabetic treatment in many traditional medicines around the world.

An animal study from 2021Trusted Source found that wheatgrass can protect against oxidative stress and may be able to be used as a functional food to help manage diabetes. However, more research is needed to verify this.

Learn about the top 10 diabetes superfoods.

According to research from 2021, wheatgrass has various components that can have anti-inflammatory properties. These components include flavonoids and chlorophyll.

This research also states that conditions like arthritis are associated with inflammation. This means that wheatgrass may also help in the management of arthritis symptoms.

The most common side effects of wheatgrass include nausea and difficulty swallowing the juice due to the strong grass-like taste.

If you are pregnant or nursing, have allergies, or have a gluten intolerance, speak with a healthcare professional before beginning the use of wheatgrass. If you are taking any prescription medication or undergoing medical treatment for a chronic condition or disease, you should also speak with your healthcare professional before using any kind of supplement like wheatgrass.

Wheatgrass may be a powerful addition to cancer treatment plans.

Research suggests that wheatgrass may have anticancer potential.

A 2017 studyTrusted Source found that wheatgrass has an inhibitory effect on proliferation of cells in oral cancer. This means it may stop the cells from multiplying and spreading.

Wheatgrass may also lowerTrusted Source myelotoxicity that is caused by chemotherapy. Myelotoxicity reduces bone marrow function and can increase your risk for infection.

A 2022 review also shows that wheatgrass has antioxidant properties that may help prevent cancer. The high nutritional value of wheatgrass may help to build a strong immune system, which is thought to help keep the body healthy and free of disease along with a balanced diet and healthful lifestyle.

Wheatgrass may have many health benefits. It may help boost immunity and energy. It may also help manage diabetes and inflammation. However, more research is needed to verify this.

Research also shows that it may have a positive effect on certain cancers.

While wheatgrass is a natural supplement, it can cause side effects such as nausea. you should speak with your healthcare professional before beginning any kind of natural supplements like wheatgrass.