Wheatgrass: The Science
The science · Living grass
Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass is young wheat, usually juiced. Research focuses on how its antioxidant compounds and minerals build as the grass grows.
What the research shows
Total phenols climbed steadily from grain to 5-day sprout to 12-day wheatgrass across every wheat species tested.
Lab analysisBenincasa et al., Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2014 · View study
Wheatgrass powder had higher antioxidant activity and chlorophyll than pulse-shoot powder, and wheatgrass juice powder had more potassium and magnesium.
Lab analysisGhumman et al., International Journal of Food Science & Technology, 2017 · View study
Wheatgrass extracts had 1.38 to 1.67 times more phenolics, flavonoids, and vitamin C than barley grass extracts.
Lab analysisIslam et al., Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture, 2021 · View study
Keep in mind: The study also tested drought-stress growing, which is not our practice.
Further reading
- Review of wheatgrass and pulse microgreens composition by growing condition (Kumar & Singh, eFood, 2024). View
How we cite: we only reference peer-reviewed studies, and we label each one by type. Lab and animal studies explain how a compound works; they do not show the same result in people. These fresh foods support a healthy lifestyle and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk with your healthcare provider before starting a raw-sprout routine if you are pregnant, immunocompromised, or managing a medical condition.