Archive Article: February, 2010
Healthy eating is a major concern for most people. Some people claim that wheat grass should be included in a healthy diet. Wheat grass refers to the young grass of the common wheat plant and can be pressed into juice for immediate consumption or dried into powder tablets that can last indefinitely if frozen.
There are ongoing debates as to the nutritional properties of wheat grass. Neither Maximum Yield nor myself endorse the consumption of wheat grass in juice or tablet form for the treatment to any diseases or disorders. Ann Wigman, one of the early pioneers of wheat grass, made claims that drinking wheat grass could cure AIDS and was later sued as a result. Ann Wigman originally claimed in the 1940s that she had cured herself of cancer by drinking the juices of different weeds she found in vacant lots in Boston. She has founded the former Hippocrates Institute and the Ann Wigmore foundation and has also written books on how to grow wheat grass and the health benefits of sprouts.
Affordable and easily grown at home, the growth progression of wheat grass is quite quick. Approximately seven to 10 days after planting, the wheat grass will reach its nutritional peak and is ready to harvest.
Some of the more realistic health claims about wheat grass are as follows:
- gives you more energy
- improves sleep
- improves the digestive system
- detoxifies heavy metals from the blood stream
- promotes general well-being
- strengthens immune system
For these results it is said that one must harvest at the time when the wheat grass is at its nutritional peek. It is also claimed that the wheat grass will lose its potency if the juices are not consumed within three hours of its harvest.
As far as nutrition is concerned, wheat grass has a multitude of different components that are beneficial to humans. Wheat grass contains many amino acids. Some are vital to muscle and brain function such as Alanine. Alanine also improves the immune system, because it is used to make the antibodies, which fight off disease and infection in our bodies. Another essential amino acid found in wheat grass is Asparic acid. Asperic acid removes ammonia from the blood stream and can increase endurance.
Wheat grass juice is known to contain a number of different vitamins. Vitamin C is found in wheat grass and is generally believed to bolster the immune system and promote general well being. Pregnant women are encouraged to increase their daily intake of vitamin C to increase the baby’s immune response. It is also a known antioxidant.
Vitamin E is also found in wheat grass and is another antioxidant. Antioxidants protect our cells against “free radicals,” which damage our DNA. These “free radicals” are believed to cause the aging process in humans.
Vitamin B9 is found in wheat grass as well as folic acid, used for the production and maintenance of new cells. Folic acid is also recommended for women during pregnancy to prevent birth defects.
There are a variety of trace minerals present in wheat grass. Boron can be found which improves brain function. Calcium is available and is used in the making and maintaining of healthy, strong teeth and bones. Iron is present and is a major component of oxygen carrying red-blood cells. Zinc is another trace element found in wheat grass and supports a healthy immune system.
One major reason people consume wheat grass is for the high levels of chlorophyll found in it. There are many claims about what chlorophyll can do for the human body. Many people believe that it has healing qualities and is high in antioxidants. However, others claim that chlorophyll cannot be properly absorbed by our stomachs and is therefore useless to consume.
“Claims suggest wheat grass will lose its potency if the juices are not consumed within three hours of harvest.”
Now that the nutrition behind wheat grass is better understood, one can make the decision as to whether wheat grass will be a good addition to their healthy diet. People wishing to add wheat grass to their diet will be able to grow it easily and affordably at home. To do this, all one needs is a supply of wheat grass seeds, a tray with holes and one without for drainage, some growing medium and some fluorescent lights or a sunny window sill.
Growing Wheat Grass
The first step is to soak the wheat grass seeds in water for two to eight hours prior to planting. This allows the seeds to take up some water and will speed up the germination process. The seeds should be placed in the dark while they are being soaked.
During this time one should prepare the preferred medium for planting. If you have chosen to use a seedling pad made of cotton, rockwool or coco coir, it is good to soak the medium for two to eight hours prior to planting. This allows the medium to safely adjust its pH levels, because some mediums can be acidic or alkaline. Soil or potting mix can be used and is actually more forgiving when it comes to pH levels than other available mediums.
Your wheat grass planting kit can include grow mediums such as rockwool, coir, potting soil or even a cotton seedling mat, shown here.
Now that the medium and seeds are ready for planting, one can sow the seeds. The soaked seeds should be spread evenly over the surface of the medium so that the seeds are touching each other, but not so much that they are overlapping one another. If you choose to use soil or a loose potting mix, some of the medium should be spread over the seeds to keep the light off of them. Seeds germinate poorly when exposed to the light. If choosing to use a cotton seedling pad or other hydroponic medium, the tray containing the seeds could be lightly dusted with vermiculite or simply kept in the dark for the first couple days.
The first couple days after germination there won’t be much to do in terms of caring for your wheat grass. The gardener must watch the temperature if using a heating mat to speed up germination. If temperature goes above 32°C the seeds can become dormant. Misting the medium once a day should provide enough moisture to promote healthy growth. Too much moisture combined with heat and darkness can be an instant recipe for mould. To combat this, any cover should be removed at least once a day to allow fresh air to reach the seedlings.
A couple days after planting the wheat grass shoots will have appeared and will be craving sunlight. At this time, the seeds no longer need the darkness. Putting the tray under some fluorescent lights or on a sunny windowsill will work just fine. The wheat grass will increase production of chlorophyll and nutrients steadily over the next five to seven days of growth until reaching the nutritional peak. This important moment in the wheat grass’s life happens approximately seven to 10 days after planting or when the wheat grass is 17 to 27 centimetres tall. This is the ideal time to harvest. It is commonly believed that for wheat grass to be effective it must be consumed within three hours of harvest. To harvest the wheat grass simply trim the grass three to five centimetres above the medium. The wheat grass will grow back if done properly allowing for a second harvest in a week’s time.
Growing wheat grass for the first time can be a little tricky for any gardener. All plants need love and care to survive. With experience, even the beginner gardener will find that keeping a continuous supply of wheat grass in their home can be easy and affordable.
Other articles by Matt LeBannister
