subject: Do You Know Your Wheatgrass From Your Barley Grass? [print this page] Most people have heard of wheatgrass and know it as a wholefood that many people swear by when taken as a supplement. Even those who know little about health food or supplements recognise the name as its arguably the best known natural food supplement in the western world. Not everyone knows the myriad of benefits this humble grass of the wheat plant Triticum aestivum can have on ones health, however. Barley grass is another potent supplement, but its less well known than wheat grass, in part due to the more recent discovery of its impressive nutritional benefits. Here, we give you a quick guide to help you know your wheat grass from your barley grass:
Protein and amino acids
Wheatgrass has no fat or cholestorol and is a great source of protein; the protein in wheatgrass contains 19 of the total 22 amino acids, including all eight of the amino acids that our body needs but cannot make for itself. Also an effective source of protein, barley grass has just about the same amount of amino acids (18) and, again, all eight of the ones we cant naturally produce.
Vitamins and minerals
The list of vitamins found in wheat grass is impressive: A; B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 and 12; C; E; and K! Youll get more vitamin C into your diet with wheatgrass supplements than with oranges and more vitamin A than with carrots (pound for pound). Barley grass shouldnt be dismissed when it comes to vitamins either: it is rich in B1, 2, 6 and 12 as well as vitamin C. Its also packed full of minerals, from calcium, copper and iron to magnesium, potassium and manganese. On top of this, barley grass also contains folic acid, organic sodium and beta-carotene, all important for overall health.
Health benefits
As you can see, both wheatgrass and barley grass are fairly matched when it comes to packing a punch with vitamins, minerals, protein and amino acids. So what about the comparative health benefits? Well both supplements help to purify the liver and aid detoxification; both improve blood sugar levels and therefore help prevent diabetes; wheatgrass can act as an appetite suppressant while barley grass can help with weight loss; and proponents of both health food supplements report a general improvement in overall health and well-being.
Now you know that both wheatgrass and barley grass are hugely beneficial to health when taken as a supplement. There are still differences between the two, however; you can find out even more information on wheatgrass here, and on barley grass here.
Editors Note: Contact Rainforest Foods via its website at http://www.rainforestfoods.co.uk. Rainforest Foods supply a range of the worlds finest organic food supplements sourced only from the very best suppliers.
