Is Wheatgrass Gluten-Free?

Is Wheatgrass Gluten-Free?

Wheatgrass is cultivated young grass of the wheat plant Triticumaestivum Linn., from the family Poaceae. It is also called “green blood” thanks to its high chlorophyll content (about 70% of the entire chemical composition) . In addition, it has a similar structure to hemoglobin and can help increase oxygen supply to all tissues.

However, despite its high nutritional content, people still wonder whether it contains gluten. Wheatgrass is associated with wheat, but it does not contain gluten. According to research published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, wheatgrass does not contain gluten; therefore, it is safe for people with celiac disease and other gluten disorders.

According to the same research, wheatgrass was tested using gluten-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Therefore, it is an appropriate dietary supplement to add to your gluten-free diet.

Why is Wheatgrass Gluten-Free?

If you have ever asked whether wheatgrass has gluten and you got YES as an answer, you might be wondering how. Wheatgrass is grown from wheat seed, so how does wheatgrass turn out to be different?

Wheatgrass is gluten-free because of its harvesting methods. The wheatgrass is cultivated by fall before reaching its nutritional peak. At this point, the height of the plant is only about 8-10 high. It is harvested within 10 days when wheat seeds are still immature and also below or near ground level, away from the reach of the harvesting machines.

The wheat seeds contain gluten; however, the harvesting method ensures that they are not touched to keep the wheatgrass gluten-free. Next, the wheatgrass can be processed into different products that are free from gluten.

Risk of Gluten Contamination in Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass, in any form, has certain tendencies to contain gluten, depending on adherence to the standard harvesting practice. The ideal harvesting window for harvesting is 10 days. However, any harvest done after this window can cause contaminations where final products can contain gluten.

In addition, when the same facilities manufacturing gluten products also process wheatgrass, there is a higher risk of cross-contamination. The best way to stay safe from gluten is to only use wheatgrass products certified as gluten-free.

"Wheatgrass offers a powerhouse of nutrients without the risk of gluten when harvested correctly. Since gluten is present in the grain and not the young grass, wheatgrass is generally safe for those with gluten intolerance. However, sourcing from certified gluten-free producers is key to avoiding cross-contamination," says Dr. Mark Reynolds, Clinical Nutritionist & Gut Health Specialist.

Benefits of Wheatgrass for Gluten-Free Individuals

Is wheat grass good for you? Yes, wheatgrass has different components that are known to be beneficial to the body's system. One of these components is chlorophyll . According to studies, chlorophyll is known to have different health benefits due to its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, and anti-cancer properties.

Adjunctive therapy for colorectal cancer

Wheatgrass, as a dietary supplement, contains different antioxidants, minerals and vitamins that are helpful in improving cardiovascular health. It can help prevent diabetes, inflammatory bowel diseases, blood diseases, and liver disease. In addition, the anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties make it an adjunctive therapy for colorectal cancer.

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Inhibit Cancer Development

In addition to being useful as an adjunctive therapy for colorectal cancer, wheatgrass also helps inhibit factors responsible for cancer development. Research in the National Library of Medicine concluded that wheatgrass can help inhibit the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process, which is associated with cancer development.

Immune support

Wheatgrass helps support the immune system and also ensures the body stays on guard against various diseases. According to a study, maltoheptaose, a compound of wheatgrass, is revealed to help modulate the immune system. In addition, wheatgrass-derived oligosaccharides can also be investigated as an agent for immune promotion.

Here, Dr. Baxter Montgomery explains the impressive health benefits of wheatgrass and how this young wheat plant can play a vital role in improving your overall health.

Gluten and Celiac Disease

There are different reasons why people avoid eating food containing gluten. While enzymes like protease breaks down food in the body, it is always hard to completely break down gluten. Undigested gluten can either be dangerous or harmless, depending on the individual.

People whose bodies can’t handle undigested gluten stand a high risk of triggering celiac disease. Celia disease is an auto-immune response to gluten, and it can have a damaging effect on the small intestines.