Forget superfoods, you can't beat an apple a day | Uk-news | The Guardian 2007-0513

Forget superfoods, you can't beat an apple a day | Uk-news | The Guardian

Please visit:

http://www.theguardian.com/uk/2007/may/13/health.healthandwellbeing1

Myths exploded: (Info source: The above link)

Berries
Claim: The superfood of the century. Packed with essential nutrients, berries have been labelled as the best food to help brain development, higher IQ, energy and boost immunity against infection.


Reality: There is no published evidence supporting the role of berries in IQ. They do contain folic acid, though this appears across a wide range of plant-based foods.

Pomegranate juice
Claim: Pomegranates contain plant anti-oxidant called polyphenols, a major polyphenol antioxidant being ellagic acid, a supposed anti-carcinogen. Pomegranates are widely claimed to have eight times the anti-oxidant potential of tea.

Reality: Consuming a modest 180ml serving of pomegranate juice leads to an increase in blood anti-oxidant levels for one hour, but it is rapidly removed from the blood.

Seaweed
Claim: A so-called nutrient powerhouse that stimulates the immune system, boosts brain power and guards against dermatitis, obesity, heavy metal poisoning, depression, congestion and anaemia.

Reality: The nutrients in seaweeds are found in all green vegetables. In addition, seaweed produces natural toxins called microcystins that can cause liver damage in humans and are thought to be potentially carcinogenic.

Wheatgrass
Claims: A blood cleanser and detoxifier attributed to both the 'natural plant enzymes' and the chlorophyll content of the freshly-juiced grass, claimed to 'detoxify the body'. Wheatgrass does contain the anti-oxidant apigenin.

Reality: The commonly held assumption that a 30ml shot of wheatgrass juice is nutritionally equivalent to a kilogram of vegetables is a complete myth. A floret or two of broccoli, or a tablespoon of spinach, contain more folic acid and vitamin C than 30ml of wheatgrass juice. Chlorophyll is not absorbed into the body (or else we would all look an attractive shade of green), and its supposed high levels are no higher than other green vegetables.     

Is a 30ml (1oz) shot of wheatgrass contains as many nutrients as 1kg (2.2lbs) of common vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli?

Is a 30ml (1oz) shot of wheatgrass contains as many nutrients as 1kg (2.2lbs) of common vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli?

The following is extracted from

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/superfoods/Pages/is-wheatgrass-a-superfood.aspx

Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, iron, calcium and magnesium.

Nutrition claims

Despite claims that a 30ml (1oz) shot of wheatgrass contains as many nutrients as 1kg (2.2lbs) of your finest veggies, tests show that, pound for pound, the nutrient content of wheatgrass juice is roughly equivalent to that of common vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli. 

The dietitian's verdict

Alison Hornby, a dietitian and BDA spokesperson, says: "There is no sound evidence to support the claim that wheatgrass is better than other fruits and vegetables in terms of nutrition. It cannot be recommended above any other choices in this food group. 

"Although it contributes towards your recommended daily intake of fruit and veg, a single shot of wheatgrass doesn't count as one of your 5 A Day. But if you're a big fan, you could combine a shot with a fruit or veg smoothie."


Note: Alison Hornby's website is http://www.alisonhornbynutrition.com/

Wheatgrass: detox tonic or just juice? (by www.nhs.uk)

Wheatgrass: detox tonic or just juice? (by www.nhs.uk)

Info source: http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/superfoods/Pages/is-wheatgrass-a-superfood.aspx

The discoveries in the 1930s by US chemist Charles Schnabel, dubbed 'Mr Wheatgrass', have inspired a body of scientific research into wheatgrass that continues to this day.

If you believe the PR hype, wheatgrass has a higher nutritional content than any other vegetable, protects against inflammation, builds red blood cells and improves circulation.

We've teamed up with the British Dietetic Association (BDA) to examine whether the host of health claims made about wheatgrass stand up to closer scrutiny.

Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll, vitamin A, vitamin C and vitamin E, iron, calcium and magnesium.

The evidence

Nutrition claims
Despite claims that a 30ml (1oz) shot of wheatgrass contains as many nutrients as 1kg (2.2lbs) of your finest veggies, tests show that, pound for pound, the nutrient content of wheatgrass juice is roughly equivalent to that of common vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli. 

Red blood cell production
Fans of wheatgrass believe that because chlorophyll and haemoglobin (a protein that carries oxygen around your body) are similar in structure, taking wheatgrass juice enhances haemoglobin production. But as far as evidence goes, there is no scientific proof to support this claim.

Inflammation of the colon
A small study from 2002 found that patients with ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon) saw their symptoms improve after they were given 100ml of wheatgrass juice daily for a month. However, the study involved only 21 people and the positive results could have been simply down to chance. As such, the evidence is inconclusive. 

Blood disorders
A small study from 2004 of 32 patients with a blood disorder called thalassaemia found that half of the patients required fewer blood transfusions when 100ml (3.5oz) of wheatgrass juice was taken daily for three years. While interesting, the research has many weaknesses and further research is needed before these findings can be properly validated. 

The dietitian's verdict

Alison Hornby, a dietitian and BDA spokesperson, says: "There is no sound evidence to support the claim that wheatgrass is better than other fruits and vegetables in terms of nutrition. It cannot be recommended above any other choices in this food group. 

"Although it contributes towards your recommended daily intake of fruit and veg, a single shot of wheatgrass doesn't count as one of your 5 A Day. But if you're a big fan, you could combine a shot with a fruit or veg smoothie."

Note: Note: Alison Hornby's website is http://www.alisonhornbynutrition.com/

More on superfoods

Check out the evidence behind the health claims made about these other so-called superfoods:

• goji berries
• chocolate
• oily fish
• blueberries
• pomegranate juice
• green tea
• broccoli
• garlic
• beetroot

Page last reviewed: 12/06/2013
Next review due: 12/06/2015

More articles on: Superfoods: the evidence     

Organic fresh wheatgrass as another ingredient for my green smoothie.

In the morning of 15 October 2012, Monday, at NTUC Fairprice Supermarket (AMK Hub), I saw Organic Fresh Wheatgrass produced by Kin Yan Agrotech Pte Ltd ( www.kinyan.biz ), 220 Neo Tiew Crescent, Singapore.

Price is S$2.50 per packet ( 100 grams).

I am planning to use organic fresh wheatgrass as another ingredient for my green smoothie.

Why Wheatgrass and any plants are unreliable sources of B12?

Info Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is also thought to be superior to other vegetables in its content of Vitamin B12, a vital nutrient.

Contrary to popular belief, B12 is not contained within wheat grass or any vegetable, rather it is a byproduct of the microorganisms living on plants.

 If plants are washed prior to consumption the water soluble B12 will be removed  making most plants unreliable sources of B12.

Wheatgrass vs. common vegetables ( and B12 issue)

Info Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass vs. common vegetables

Table 1. Nutrient comparison of 1 oz (28.35 g) of wheatgrass juice, broccoli and spinach.
Nutrient	Wheatgrass Juice	Broccoli	Spinach
Protein	860 mg	800 mg	810 mg
Beta-carotene	120 IU	177 IU	2658 IU
Vitamin E	880 mcg	220 mcg	580 mcg
Vitamin C	1 mg	25.3 mg	8 mg
Vitamin B12	0.30 mcg	0 mcg	0 mcg
Phosphorus	21 mg	19 mg	14 mg
Magnesium	8 mg	6 mg	22 mg
Calcium	7.2 mg	13 mg	28 mg
Iron	0.66 mg	0.21 mg	0.77 mg
Potassium	42 mg	90 mg	158 mg
Data on broccoli and spinach from USDA database.[5] Data on Wheatgrass juice from indoor grown wheatgrass.[2]

B12 IssueWheatgrass proponent Schnabel claimed in the 1940s that "fifteen pounds of wheatgrass is equal in overall nutritional value to 350 pounds of ordinary garden vegetables",^[2] a ratio of 1:23.^[13] Despite claims of vitamin and mineral content disproportional to other vegetables, the nutrient content of wheatgrass juice is roughly equivalent to that of common vegetables (see table 1).

Wheatgrass is also thought to be superior to other vegetables in its content of Vitamin B₁₂, a vital nutrient. Contrary to popular belief, B₁₂ is not contained within wheat grass or any vegetable, rather it is a byproduct of the microorganisms living on plants.^[14]. If plants are washed prior to consumption the water soluble B₁₂ will be removed making most plants unreliable sources of B₁₂.^[15]

Nutritional values of wheatgrass in 100 grams of Juice

Info Source: http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/nutrition/wheatgrass.html

The following information and the above picture have been obtained from http://www.fatfreekitchen.com/nutrition/wheatgrass.html

=============================================

Nutritional values of wheatgrass in 100 grams of Juice
(The Following is the result of an analysis carried out by Irvine Analytical Laboratories, Inc. )

Calories 21.0 Cal
Carbohydrates 2.0 g
Fat 0.06 g
Water 95 g
Sodium 10.3 mg
Iron 0.61 mg
Folic Acid 29 mcg
Dietary Fiber < 0.1 g
Glucose 0.80 g
Calcium 24.2 mg
Magnesium 24 mg
Selenium < 1 ppm
Potassium 147 mg
Zinc 0.33 mg
Phosphorus 75.2 mg
Vitamin A 427 IU
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 0.08 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 0.13 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacinamide) 0.11 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid) 6.0 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCI) 0.2 mg
Vitamin B12 (Cyanocobalamin) < 1 mcg
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) 3.65 mg
Vitamin E 15.2 IU
Chlorophyll 42.2 mg
Choline 92.4 mg