Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is the freshly sprouted first

leaves of the common wheat plant (Triticum
aestivum), used as a food, drink, or dietary
supplement. Wheatgrass is served freeze
dried or fresh, and so it differs from wheat
malt, which is convectively dried.
Wheatgrass is allowed to grow longer and
taller than wheat malt.

Like most plants, wheatgrass contains

chlorophyll, amino acids, minerals,
vitamins and enzymes. Claims about the
health benefits of wheatgrass range
from providing supplemental nutrition
to having unique curative properties,
but these claims have not been
scientifically proven.

Wheatgrass juice is often available

at juice bars, and some people grow
and juice their own in their homes.
It is available fresh as produce, in
tablets, frozen juice, and powder.
Wheatgrass is also sold
commercially as a spray, cream,
gel, massage lotion, and liquid
herbal supplement. Because it is
extracted from wheatgrass sprouts
(that is, before the wheat seed or
"berr y" begins to form), wheatgrass juice is gluten
free, but some dietitians recommend that those with celiac disease
avoid it due to the risk of cross-contamination.

Proponents of wheatgrass make

many claims for its health properties,
ranging from promotion of general
well-being to cancer prevention.
However, according to the American
Cancer Society, "available scientific
evidence does not support the idea
that wheatgrass or the wheatgrass
diet can cure or prevent disease