Consuming high amounts of wheatgrass powder or juice may cause side effects, such as nausea, headaches, diarrhea. discomfort, gas, and bloating. Although wheatgrass has many health benefits and a great nutritional value, some people better avoid excess consumption.
Nutritional value of wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is the young grass of the wheat plant. Wheatgrass is high in minerals. It contains a significant amount of iron, phosphorus, magnesium, manganese, copper, calcium, and zinc.[1]
Wheatgrass powder is particularly rich in vitamin K (1,075 mcg per 100g), iron (12.5 mg), and calcium (300 mg). Moreover, it has a great amount of chlorophyll, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, and bioflavonoids.
In addition, wheatgrass contains 17 amino acids, of which eight are essential. Just a tablespoon of wheatgrass has 1 gram of protein!
Why is wheatgrass good for you?
Wheatgrass has remarkable therapeutic potentials. In fact, consumption of wheatgrass has been linked to beneficial effects on cancer, ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis, and bronchial disorders.
Side effects of wheatgrass powder
Wheatgrass consumption is considered pretty safe. However, certain side effects, such as nausea, headaches, or diarrhea, may occur. Most side effects go away after decreasing the wheatgrass dose, though.
Moreover, wheatgrass powder may cause stomach discomfort to many people because it’s particularly high in fiber. Actually, wheatgrass powder is 50% fiber. A tablespoon of wheatgrass powder has 4 grams of fiber. That’s 14% of the Daily Value. High fiber intake may cause side effects, such as excessive flatulence, bloating, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea. High fiber intakes are considered pretty safe, though.
If you take certain drugs, wheatgrass is bad for you
Wheatgrass is one of the richest foods in vitamin K. It has 1,075 mcg of vitamin K per 100g. A tablespoon of wheatgrass powder contains 86 mcg of vitamin K. That’s almost the 100% of the Daily Value.
Vitamin K has many health benefits. It has beneficial effects on for bone mineral density, osteoporosis, cancer, insulin sensitivity, and heart diseases.
Although healthy people can consume high amounts of vitamin K without experiencing any side effects, people who take certain drugs, like anticoagulants or antibiotics, should be very cautious with consumed dosages. They should maintain consistent vitamin K intakes.[2]
Side effects of wheatgrass juice
Commercial wheatgrass juices are mostly safe. On the other hand, if you grow wheatgrass at home, you have to be very cautious with mold. The room must have good air circulation and low humidity. Otherwise, mold is going to grow in the wheatgrass trays.
