Articles > Nutrition |
 A
review published in the Australian Consumers’ Association Choice
magazine which looked at botanical and animal studies and small human
trials has found little evidence to back up claims of the health promoting
properties of wheatgrass.
The roots of the genus agropyron grass are pulped to extract the dark
green juice which has become popular in juice bars worldwide. Claims of
the wound healing, anti-inflammatory and blood purifying properties of
the grass may have been exaggerated though, and there is very little evidence
to back up improved circulation, red blood cell building and cancer prevention
claims.
Australian Consumer’s Association health policy officer Viola Korczak,
said the ‘shots of green goodness’ are not harmful, but neither
does evidence exist to prove that they have any real benefits, and advocated
controlled clinical trials.
The review found that a shot of wheatgrass juice contained less vitamins
and minerals (including folic acid, vitamin C and calcium) than regular
portions of salad, broccoli and spinach. Some studies have linked wheatgrass
to improvements in skin conditions, joint complaints, fractures and burns
but the nature of the studies have not proved wheatgrass to be directly
responsible for these results.
Head of CSIRO’s nutrition clinic Dr Peter Clifton concurred, saying
that wheatgrass may be fashionable but that it ‘probably isn't any
different from any other type of grass’, although he did say that
the polyphenolics (a type of phytochemical) that it contains may be beneficial
to humans, as suggested by one trial which drew a link between the grass
and reduced ulcerative colitis symptoms.
President of the Australasian Integrative Medicine Association, Marc Cohen
defended wheatgrass on this count, saying that its high levels of phytochemicals
are associated with reduced blood pressure, reduced cholesterol and cancer
prevention.
All of this ‘association’ with health benefits is good and
well, but as Dr Clifton concluded; ‘I guess the wheatgrass juice
industry should put its money where its mouth is and test the level of
polyphenolics.’
To find out more about wheatgrass, eating well and your
individual nutritional needs contact
us!
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