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What are the Different Wheatgrass Side Effects?
Wheatgrass is a food that comes from the common wheat plant. It can be bought as either a powder or juice and has many supposed health benefits such as extra nutrition and faster healing of wounds. There are, however, several potential wheatgrass side effects although none of them are generally considered to be serious. Side effects of wheatgrass include headaches, nausea and stomach problems. An allergic reaction to wheat is another potential side effect.
One of the most common wheatgrass side effects is a feeling of nausea soon after the juice or powder has been consumed. This may be a direct result of the wheatgrass or can sometimes be a reaction to the substance being consumed along with other food. It is usually thought that consuming wheatgrass on its own without any other type of food reduces the chance of suffering from nausea.
Headaches are another of the most common wheatgrass side effects. These are usually relatively mild. Although if the person taking wheatgrass regularly experiences these headaches, then he or she should discontinue taking it and consult a doctor before any further action. Those who consume wheatgrass often claim that these headaches are an effect of the detoxification process rather than the wheatgrass itself although this is yet to be confirmed by any scientific study.
If wheatgrass is consumed in larger than recommended dosages, then it can cause diarrhea and other stomach complaints. Sometimes a person drinking or consuming wheatgrass for the first time may also suffer from short-term stomach problems. Again, these wheatgrass side effects are not usually serious and should pass relatively quickly.
Anyone who is allergic to wheat may suffer from an allergic reaction to wheatgrass. These can manifest as rashes or even breathing problems. For this reason wheatgrass should always be avoided by people who have a wheat allergy. If an allergic reaction develops then a doctor should be consulted as soon as possible.
Wheatgrass is sometimes considered to be a super food in that it is often reported to contain a much larger concentration of nutrients and other beneficial substances than regular vegetables. This has been shown to not actually be the case — wheatgrass contains a similar amount of nutritional content as other vegetables. Other claims such as an ability for wheatgrass to increase detoxification levels in the body are also yet to be confirmed although the food is promoted and used by a large number of people worldwide.
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![Wheatgrass and wheatgrass juice.]()
Wheatgrass and wheatgrass juice. -
![One possible side effect is a headache.]()
By: Picture-FactoryOne possible side effect is a headache. -
![Wheatgrass has been know to cause nausea.]()
By: Adam GregorWheatgrass has been know to cause nausea. -
![Those who are allergic to wheat should also avoid wheatgrass.]()
By: womueThose who are allergic to wheat should also avoid wheatgrass. -
![A doctor should be consulted if a wheat grass allergy develops.]()
By: ShakzuA doctor should be consulted if a wheat grass allergy develops. -
![Wheatgrass powder is believed to improve oxygen content in the blood, cleanse toxins from the body, and supply a high concentration of vitamins commonly found in green vegetables.]()
By: MarekWheatgrass powder is believed to improve oxygen content in the blood, cleanse toxins from the body, and supply a high concentration of vitamins commonly found in green vegetables.
Discussion Comments
"Wheatgrass' benefits"? Detoxify? Anyone in this world proved those out-of-nowhere statements? What's next? Dog urine? Cat poo? Really?
As I understand it, the bad reactions are almost always due to mold in the wheatgrass growing trays. I used to have the same problems people are describing above. If it is grown outside in the earth, the sun's UV will prevent mold growth, assuming the water levels are normal and not flooded. I now get mine from Dynamic Greens and have never had a bad reaction since switching!
Another possibility is to use ozonated water in your trays, or h202 or mms, all in limited quantities of course. No doubt, protocols can be found online.
I get access to free wheatgrass shots at my job, so I thought, "Why not? Might as well do it". Every time I take a shot, it's a small amount, and normally makes me feel nauseated and gives me an unbelievable headache. I took a bit bigger shot this morning, and the headache came as usual, but the nausea continued until I ended up actually throwing up. I'm leaning towards thinking my body must be rejecting this substance. Could it be like an allergy? I know I can't have raw parsley, because it makes me nauseated as well. Any thoughts?
I had one shot of wheat grass and almost immediately felt cramps in my stomach, gas, pain, bloating for days and days. Has anyone else experienced this? It was awful.
Wheatgrass is too powerful for me. I had it only once in my life. I was curious because I saw someone else order it at the juice bar. I drank it plain, undiluted and it made me so sick!
I even thought that I was poisoned from it because I threw up immediately after and had a horrible stomach ache and nausea the whole day. Not to mention dizziness and migraines. It was the worst day of my life. I have vowed never to try it again.
It's sad because I've heard so many people talk about how great it is, but I just can't handle the side effects.
Not all side effects of wheatgrass are bad or undesirable. I was taking a wheatgrass supplement because I get colds a lot and I wanted something that could help strengthen my immune system with vitamins and minerals while also detoxing.
I took the supplements for two months, I did feel more energetic and did not get sick in that time frame. When I went to my doctor for a regular checkup though, I was really surprised. I have had anemia for many years and iron-deficiency on and off in that time frame. My doctor said that both my blood count and iron count had increased and were now in the normal range! It's been about five years since that happened!
He asked me what I've been doing different and I said wheatgrass! It was not an effect I was expecting, but I'm so glad I took those supplements. I took a short break from them for now. If my iron count goes down, I will start taking them again.
My trainer recommended wheatgrass juice to me. He said it helps with weight loss and is a great way to detoxify.
I first started getting my tiny shots of wheatgrass juice from a store that makes them fresh. Then, I started growing wheat grass at home and making the juice myself.
The first time I had wheatgrass juice, I couldn't swallow it. The taste is just not something I wanted to drink, but I made myself. Immediately after, I felt very nauseous. With time it has gotten better, I'm more used to the taste now. I still get nausea from time to time. When I smell the wheatgrass and feel like it's going to make me sick, I blend it with some fresh juice and sip it slowly. It's a good way to have wheatgrass juice.
I think these side effects are not important though, wheatgrass' benefits are definitely worth a little nausea.
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