Fresh Vs. Frozen Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is popular for offering a number of purported health benefits, and is available for purchase either fresh or frozen.

Identification

• Wheatgrass is a type of grass similar to barley, rye, or oats. It is commonly grown indoors, and after about 10 days it can be cut and pulverized into a juice for consumption.

Benefits

• There are many purported health benefits of wheatgrass. Ann Wigmore, author of "The Wheatgrass Book," says it lowers blood pressure and increases red-blood cell count. It is said to have a variety of positive effects on metabolic and glandular processes in the body.

Fresh Vs. Frozen

• There is no evidence that freezing wheatgrass affects its makeup, properties, or effects. There are a large number of organizations that sell and deliver frozen wheatgrass.

Function

• Wheatgrass is consumed orally in quantities of about 2 tablespoons. It is generally taken as a health supplement and may be added to drinks such as smoothies. Freezing may decrease the flavor of wheatgrass, but this is not usually an issue as wheatgrass is not normally used as a spice or flavor enhancement.

Warning

• In 1998, the National Council Against Health Fraud produced a summary on the use and effects of wheatgrass. Their conclusions determined that wheatgrass did not possess an inordinate quantity of nutrients and that some of the reported benefits could most likely be attributed to a placebo effect.

Considerations

• Wheatgrass has nutritional value but should be considered an herbal supplement rather than medical treatment for specific disorders. Freezing does not affect the nutritional value, but the natural health organization The Hippocrates Institute recommends against cooking it.