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Benefits of Wheatgrass

Reviewed by·PharmD, BCPS

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. Full disclaimer

Evidence-Based Benefits

  • Antioxidant activity — wheatgrass contains high concentrations of chlorophyll, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds that scavenge free radicals and reduce oxidative stress markers in vitro and in small human trials (Bar-Sela et al., 2007)
  • Anemia and thalassemia support — a pilot study by Marwaha et al. (2004) in transfusion-dependent beta-thalassemia patients found wheatgrass juice reduced the mean interval between transfusions, suggesting hemoglobin-supporting properties potentially linked to its chlorophyll content
  • Ulcerative colitis — Ben-Arye et al. (2002) conducted a randomized double-blind trial showing wheatgrass juice significantly reduced rectal bleeding severity and disease activity index in patients with active distal ulcerative colitis
  • Blood sugar regulation — Shakya et al. (2016) found wheatgrass supplementation improved fasting glucose and lipid profiles in type 2 diabetic subjects in a small controlled trial
  • Nutrient density — per gram, wheatgrass provides concentrated amounts of iron, magnesium, calcium, vitamins A, C, and E, and all essential amino acids, making it a micronutrient-dense green supplement

What the Research Says

Wheatgrass research is at an emerging stage, with a handful of small but intriguing clinical trials. Ben-Arye et al. (2002) published the most cited trial — a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study of 23 patients with active distal ulcerative colitis, demonstrating significant reduction in rectal bleeding and disease activity with 100ml daily wheatgrass juice over one month. In hematology, Marwaha et al. (2004) conducted a pilot study in beta-thalassemia patients showing wheatgrass juice extended the interval between blood transfusions, though the sample was small and the mechanism (possibly chlorophyll-mediated hemoglobin support) remains speculative. Bar-Sela et al. (2007) reported that wheatgrass juice reduced chemotherapy-related myelotoxicity in breast cancer patients, though this was an observational study. Shakya et al. (2016) found improvements in fasting glucose and lipid parameters in type 2 diabetes patients. The major limitation across all studies is small sample sizes (typically under 50 participants) and heterogeneity in preparations (fresh juice vs. powder). Larger, well-designed RCTs are needed to confirm these promising preliminary findings.

Related Conditions

EnergyImmune FunctionInflammationGut HealthBlood Sugar
Full Wheatgrass Guide

References

  1. Ben-Arye E, Goldin E, Wengrower D, Stamper A, Kohn R, Berry E (2002). Wheat grass juice in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Scandinavian Journal of Gastroenterology. DOI PubMed
  2. Marwaha RK, Bansal D, Kaur S, Trehan A (2004). Wheat grass juice reduces transfusion requirement in patients with thalassemia intermedia: a pilot study. Indian Pediatrics. PubMed
  3. Bar-Sela G, Tsalic M, Fried G, Goldberg H (2007). Wheat grass juice may improve hematological toxicity related to chemotherapy in breast cancer patients: a pilot study. Nutrition and Cancer. DOI PubMed
  4. Shakya G, Randhi PK, Pajaniradje S, Mohankumar K, Rajagopalan R (2016). Hypoglycaemic role of wheatgrass and its effect on carbohydrate metabolic enzymes in type II diabetic rats. Toxicology and Industrial Health. DOI PubMed
  5. Parit SB, Dawkar VV, Tanpure RS, Pai SR, Ambavade SD (2018). Nutritional quality and antioxidant activity of wheatgrass (Triticum aestivum) unwrap by proteome profiling and DPPH and FRAP assays. Journal of Food Science. DOI
  6. Chauhan M (2014). A pilot study on wheat grass juice for its phytochemical, nutritional and therapeutic potential on chronic diseases. International Journal of Chemical Studies.