Can a regular juicer juice wheatgrass?
Introduction
Wheatgrass is a nutritious ingredient that is growing in popularity, but you may be wondering if you need a special wheatgrass juicer to juice it or if a regular juicer will work. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll look at what wheatgrass is, its health benefits, the different types of juicers, and whether a regular juicer can effectively juice wheatgrass. Read on to find out everything you need to know to start enjoying wheatgrass juice!
What is Wheatgrass?
Wheatgrass refers to the young grass shoots of the common wheat plant, Triticum aestivum. It is harvested about 7-10 days after sprouting, when the grass reaches a height of around 4-6 inches.
At this young age, wheatgrass contains very high concentrations of nutrients, especially chlorophyll, vitamins, and minerals. It has a mild, sweet, earthy flavor that some describe as similar to spinach or kale.
Wheatgrass can be consumed as a juice, powder supplement, or by eating the grass raw. Juicing wheatgrass produces a vivid green juice full of nutrients that is often used as a health tonic.
Health Benefits of Wheatgrass
Wheatgrass juice and wheatgrass powder are prized for their nutritional properties. Here are some of the top health benefits:
Rich in Nutrients
Wheatgrass contains over 100 different nutrients! Some of the top nutrients include:
- Chlorophyll – wheatgrass contains up to 70% chlorophyll, which has antioxidant and cleansing properties.
- Vitamins A, C and E – these antioxidants support immunity and cell regeneration.
- B vitamins – for converting food into energy.
- Iron – for circulation and healthy blood.
- Magnesium – for metabolism and nerve functioning.
- Amino acids – wheatgrass contains 17 amino acids, the building blocks of proteins.
Detoxification
The nutrients and plant compounds in wheatgrass may help support detoxification in various ways:
- Chlorophyll binds to toxins and helps remove them from the body.
- Enzymes aid digestion and promote better elimination.
- Vitamins and minerals support liver and kidney function.
Reduce Oxidative Stress
Wheatgrass contains antioxidants including vitamins A, C and E that can help neutralize harmful free radicals and reduce oxidative damage to cells.
Increase Energy Levels
The nutrients in wheatgrass juice, such as iron, magnesium, amino acids and B vitamins, may help fight fatigue and increase energy levels.
Improve Immunity
Wheatgrass supports immunity in a few key ways:
- Antioxidants fight against cell damage.
- Nutrients like vitamin C, A and iron support immune cell function.
- Chlorophyll has antibacterial effects against certain bacteria.
Aid Digestion
Enzymes found in wheatgrass may help improve digestion by aiding in the breakdown of food and reducing gut inflammation.
Promote Weight Loss
Wheatgrass stimulates metabolism and could help support weight loss efforts when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.
Improve Heart Health
The antioxidants and nutrients in wheatgrass are thought to support heart health by:
- Improving circulation
- Lowering blood pressure
- Reducing cholesterol
Help Fight Cancer
Some research indicates wheatgrass may have anti-cancer properties. The mechanisms aren’t fully understood, but wheatgrass may help by:
- Detoxifying the body
- Reducing inflammation
- Neutralizing oxidative damage from free radicals
However, more studies in humans are needed to confirm these potential anti-cancer effects.
Types of Juicers
There are a few main types of juicers to choose from:
Centrifugal Juicers
Centrifugal juicers grind up produce using a high speed spinning metal blade. They are the most common and affordable type of juicer.
Pros: Fast, easy to use, affordable
Cons: Not ideal for wheatgrass, produces oxidized juice
Masticating Juicers
Masticating or “cold press” juicers crush fruits and vegetables into a paste using augers or gears. They operate at slower speeds compared to centrifugal juicers.
Pros: Retains nutrients better, juices wheatgrass well
Cons: Slower, more expensive
Twin Gear Juicers
Twin gear juicers use a dual auger system to crush produce and extract the juice. They produce high quality juices.
Pros: Excellent for leafy greens like wheatgrass
Cons: Expensive, parts can be tricky to clean
Wheatgrass Juicers
Specialized wheatgrass juicers are manual, hand-cranked juicers specifically designed for juicing wheatgrass.
Pros: Effective for juicing just wheatgrass
Cons: Not versatile, must be manually operated
Can a Regular Juicer Juice Wheatgrass?
When deciding if a regular juicer can juice wheatgrass, there are a few factors to consider:
Juicer Type
Centrifugal juicers are generally not recommended for wheatgrass. Their high speeds and spinning blades cause heat and oxidation that destroys nutrients and yields little juice from wheatgrass.
Masticating juicers can juice wheatgrass fairly effectively. Their slower crushing and grinding action preserves nutrients better. Horizontal masticating juicers perform a bit better than vertical auger juicers when juicing wheatgrass.
Twin gear juicers are best suited for wheatgrass among standard juicer types. Their dual auger system thoroughly crushes wheatgrass. You’ll get the highest yields and driest pulp from twin gear juicers.
Chute Size
Wheatgrass doesn’t do well when fed through small juicer chutes and tubes. For best results, look for a juicer with a large, oval or rectangular chute at least 1.5 inches wide. This gives the wheatgrass room to move around and be completely crushed and squeezed.
Settings and Speeds
Ideally, look for a juicer with a wheatgrass or leafy green setting that operates at under 80 RPM. The lower speeds prevent oxidation and allow more time to crush the wheatgrass.
Juicer Power
More powerful motors between 1/3 – 1 horsepower work best to fully break down tough grasses. Weaker motors may struggle and jam.
Blades
Stainless steel cutting blades and gears are best able to handle pulverizing wheatgrass. Plastic parts are more likely to wear down over time when juicing wheatgrass frequently.
Manual Wheatgrass Juicers
Purpose-built manual wheatgrass juicers provide the most efficient juicing of wheatgrass. But they can’t juice other fruits or veggies and require physical effort to operate.
Top Juicers for Wheatgrass
Based on their features and performance, here are some of the best juicers to use for wheatgrass:
| Juicer | Type | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Tribest Slowstar | Vertical masticating | Duoblade auger, minces wheatgrass |
| Omega NC800 | Horizontal masticating | 5 adjustable settings, 110 RPM |
| Super Angel Premium | Twin gear | 3 stage juicing, 230 RPM |
| Lexen GP27 | Manual wheatgrass | Hand-crank, suction base |
These juicers are engineered to handle wheatgrass and can also juice fruits, veggies, leafy greens, and more.
Tips for Juicing Wheatgrass
Follow these tips to get the most out of juicing wheatgrass:
- Use fresh, high quality wheatgrass. Cut right before juicing.
- Trim ends first and feed wheatgrass in slowly.
- Alternate wheatgrass with harder produce to clean cutting area.
- Don’t overstuff the chute – let wheatgrass move around.
- Juice in small batches for highest quality.
- Drink wheatgrass juice right away or store in air tight container.
- Rinse juicer parts immediately after use.
- Soak blades and screens in water for easier cleaning.
Conclusion
While a specialized wheatgrass juicer is ideal, many regular juicers can still do a decent job juicing wheatgrass. Focus on finding a masticating or twin gear juicer with high power, low speeds, and large chutes. With the right juicer model and techniques, you can unlock all the nutritional benefits of wheatgrass at home. Drink your wheatgrass juice as soon as possible after juicing for maximum health benefits.