Wheat sprouts, or “vitgrass”, are called young green parts of the shoots used as raw materials for the manufacture of healthy foods (usually they are presented in the form of juice or powder). The resulting product always contains a large number of vitamins, micro and macro elements that can improve the general condition of the body, and in some cases even contribute to the elimination of signs of certain ailments. What exactly is worth knowing about wheat sprouts, what is their effect on specific organs and systems of the body, and how to prevent possible unwanted reactions - this will be discussed later.
Wheat germ composition
Many components of wheat germ correspond to the chemical composition of the grains of the germinated culture, but at the same time they have a number of differences (for example, the water in the green part is slightly larger: 100 g may contain as much as 47.75 g, with 7.5 g of protein, 1.3 g of fat, 42.5 g of carbohydrates, 1.1 g of dietary fiber). The calorie content of the sprouts is relatively low and is 198 kcal per 100 g of product.
As for the vitamin-mineral composition, then, first of all, the following components will be useful (per 100 g of sprouts):
- vitamin B1 (thiamine) - 0.225 mg;
- vitamin B2 (riboflavin) - 0.155 mg;
- Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) - 0.947 mg;
- vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) - 0.265 mg;
- vitamin C (ascorbic acid) - 2.6 mg;
- Vitamin E (tocopherol) - 21.0 mg;
- vitamin PP (nicotinic acid) - 3.087 mg;
- potassium - 169.0 mg;
- phosphorus - 200.0 mg;
- magnesium - 82.0 mg;
- calcium - 28.0 mg;
- sodium - 16.0 mg.
At the same time, there are no sugars in the composition of wheat sprouts, which makes them suitable for consumption by people with high blood sugar.
Did you know? According to archaeological research, wheat began to be grown in culture in XIII–XII Art. BC e., mainly in the Middle East. Since the beginning of our era, it has spread to the states of Asia and Africa.
Beneficial features
The rich chemical composition of wheat sprouts has made them a valuable dietary product for many people, in particular, and those who wish to extend their lives through proper nutrition.
- The general list of useful product properties includes the following:
- normalization of brain activity and optimization of metabolic processes due to the presence of gamma-aminobutyric acid;
- improving women's health (vitamins of group B and vitamin E take an active part in this);
- cleaning the body of slag and toxic accumulations, while improving the digestive system;
- the supply of organs and systems of the body with oxygen, by increasing the number of red blood cells;
- activation of muscle mass growth and increase in strength indicators;
- normalization of the cardiovascular system, with the prevention of the formation of cholesterol plaques.
Impact on individual systems and organs
The vitamins and minerals present in the product have a restorative effect on the whole organism as a whole, but, in addition, it is possible to single out the benefit for some organs separately. For example, in case of kidney problems, the use of green sprouted sprouts as a dietary supplement will help to combat the formed stones, improve oxygen metabolism, and improve the vascular network of the organ, normalizing the condition of the duct. Magnesium contained in the composition is responsible for the breakdown of salts in the human urogenital system, so the juice from wheat sprouts prevents the formation of kidney stones.In case of heart problems, such components of the product as potassium, selenium, chromium, zinc, magnesium, vitamins A, C, B1, amino acids lysine, arginine, tyrosine, proline will be relevant. For complex therapy of the cardiovascular system, it is enough to take 60–90 ml of juice daily, about 20 minutes before the main meal. This will significantly reduce the likelihood of blood clots in the vessels and stabilize blood pressure.
Green wheat sprouts bring certain benefits in case of gastrointestinal diseases. First of all, the product positively affects the condition of the mucous membranes, but only if they are not damaged by an ulcer, otherwise medication will be required. The green part will be better left for future prevention of ailments, due to the vitamins B6 and B12 present in it.All of the above applies to both the male and female body, however, in the latter case, you can add the possibility of use during pregnancy and lactation, which will be useful not only for mom, but also for the baby (only in the absence of gluten allergy). Such a dietary supplement will help strengthen the skeletal system of the fetus, contribute to its mental development due to the content of folic acid. As for men, Vitrass juice is effective in solving potency problems., since its constituent component L-arginine contributes to the duration of blood supply to the penis and enhances the pleasant sensations of the sexual act.
For children
Caring mothers from different countries quite often include wheat sprouts in the daily menu of their children. There are several reasons for this. For example, provitamin A helps to strengthen eyesight, and vitamin D prevents the development of rickets in babies.
Important! Many children do not like wheat sprouts, so for introduction into the diet they are crushed with a blender and mixed into the usual dishes of the baby.
To achieve the most positive result, it is worth daily giving the child 1 tsp. green sproutsHowever, for this, the baby must be over two years of age and not have any contraindications to the use of such food. Up to this age, you can give children juice from germinated wheat grains, about 10 ml every day.
The benefits of losing weight
Normalization of metabolic processes in the human body due to the regular use of wheat sprouts also contributes to faster weight loss, the main thing is to know how, when and in what amounts to use this product.
The most popular recipes in this case include the following:
- For breakfast, it is useful to take a cocktail of green apples (2 pcs.) And wheat germ (2 tbsp.) Whipped in a blender. The high content of iron and fiber in the resulting slurry saturates the body well, triggering metabolic processes in its organs and systems. To obtain the most positive result, the next meal should be planned no earlier than 4 hours after applying the mixture, and it is very desirable that it be fractional.
- To create a healthy dietary supplement based on this recipe you just need to mix 3 tbsp. sprouts with 2 hours of honey, after which eat the cooked potion at least three hours before the main meal.
- Sometimes 100 g of wheat germ is mixed with two diced cucumbers, adding herbs and a spoonful of olive oil to taste. As in previous cases, you need to use the mixture at least half an hour before the main meal.
In addition to the above recipes, you can use others that include the inclusion in the composition of the finished product of honey, nuts and even prunes, apples, which will make the taste of the finished drug more attractive.
Important! The daily rate of wheat germ for an adult is not more than 100 g.
How to make juice at home
Wheatgrass juice is used for preventive and therapeutic purposes no less than the pulp of chopped greens, so the question of its preparation at home often comes to the fore.
Of course, to achieve this goal, you need to have the main raw materials - wheat sprouts, which can be obtained at home, by performing a number of simple manipulations:
- To get started, prepare high-quality seeds: optimal humidity, without any unpleasant odors or spots on the surface. If insects were found in the wheat package, the entire package will have to be thrown away.
- Rinse the selected seeds well under cool running water, put on the bottom of a china, glass or enamel bowl and pour warm water on it. All pop-up grains must be removed and discarded, and the drowned ones should be soaked for 6-12 hours.
- After the allotted time, replace the water in the tank and leave the wheat for another 12 hours, then sow it in a light and nutritious soil.
Since it is not recommended to consume more than 100 g of wheat germ at a time, just one quantity of seeds or with a small supply is taken for one soaking procedure. An alternative option for germination is wrapping the wheat in a damp and clean gauze cloth or napkin. As it gets dirty, the fabric is changed to a new one, keeping it moist.
After the appearance of the sprouts, it remains only to disconnect them from the grain part and grind in any way possible:
- Using a juicer. The best option, which allows you to get juice without large particles of pulp, however, screw models are better suited for these purposes (they delay the cake using a fine-mesh strainer).
- Using a kitchen blender. Grinding the collected sprouts in a bowl, you will additionally have to squeeze them through cheesecloth, after which the juice will be ready for use.
- Grated on a grater. The essence of this cooking method is largely reminiscent of the previous one, because the crushed sprouts are first rubbed on a grater, which is far from always convenient, and then juice is squeezed out of the obtained slurry with gauze for further consumption.
Many adherents of regular preparation of a drink made from wheat sprouts assure that after home creation it is much more useful and cheaper than the purchased option. However, the land used for home planting is rarely characterized by a rich vitamin and mineral composition, therefore, germinated grains will not always be as useful as possible. On an industrial scale, the soil is often specially prepared, which means that the raw materials obtained from it are better suited for the preparation of a medicinal drug. In addition, the shelf life of a self-made drink is often less than the finished purchase option.
Did you know? Only 30 ml of wheat germ juice contains the same amount of vitamins and minerals as 1 kg of fresh vegetables.
Possible harm and contraindications
Despite all the benefits of green wheat sprouts, one should not exclude the likelihood of a deterioration in well-being when the product is abused or ignored for any contraindications to its use.
- As for the latter, the list of the main ones includes:
- the presence of a stomach ulcer or duodenal ulcer in the acute stage;
- postoperative period;
- tendency to allergies (especially gluten);
- children under two years old, although some nutritionists do not recommend eating wheatgrass before the age of 12.
All the negative consequences of using the product are usually expressed in general weakness of the body, dizziness and nausea, and after joint use with kefir or other dairy products, an increase in gas formation is possible. In rare cases, an allergic reaction results in a rash on the body, although this is more likely the exception than the rule.
Having managed to sprout correctly and having learned to use juice and pulp based on wheat sprouts, they really can become an excellent restorative remedy that can help in eliminating various ailments. All that is needed is a responsible attitude to the choice of dosage and the method of using the drug prepared according to the recipes of traditional medicine.