Wheatgrass Juice: Benefits, How to Make It, Side Effects & Where to Buy It

Wheatgrass juice contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids, chlorophyll, flavonoids, phenolic compounds, and other plant constituents, and researchers have investigated its antioxidant activity and possible health effects.

Wheatgrass juice also has practical differences from wheatgrass powder. Fresh and raw juice is highly perishable, requires careful handling, and may carry food-safety concerns when it is unpasteurized.

For someone interested in wheatgrass juice, the most useful questions are: What form is it? How was it processed? How should it be stored? What does the research actually show? And where can you get it from a reliable source?

What is wheatgrass juice?

Wheatgrass juice is the liquid extracted from the young leaves of the wheat plant. The grass is usually harvested while it is still young, before the plant develops mature wheat grain.

The juice is generally produced using a slow or masticating juicer because wheatgrass is highly fibrous and is difficult to juice efficiently with some conventional centrifugal juicers.

Fresh wheatgrass juice is usually concentrated and strongly flavored. Many people drink it in a relatively small serving, sometimes called a wheatgrass shot. Commercial wheatgrass juice is also available in frozen, bottled, or pre-portioned formats.

What is in wheatgrass juice?

The exact composition of wheatgrass juice varies depending on the wheatgrass itself and how it is grown and processed. Research has identified compounds including:

• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Amino acids
• Chlorophyll
• Flavonoids
• Phenolic compounds
• Other phytochemicals

This variation matters. Freshly pressed juice, frozen juice, and dried wheatgrass powder are not necessarily nutritionally identical.

Wheatgrass juice benefits: what does the research actually show?

1. Wheatgrass juice provides nutrients and plant compounds

One of the most straightforward reasons people consume wheatgrass juice is its nutrient content. Wheatgrass contains various vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and plant compounds.

However, nutrition should not be confused with disease treatment. A food can contain useful nutrients without being a cure for a medical condition.

Wheatgrass juice is best considered one possible addition to a broader diet rather than a replacement for fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, or other nutrient-rich foods.

2. Wheatgrass juice has antioxidant activity

Wheatgrass contains phenolic compounds, flavonoids, and other substances that have demonstrated antioxidant activity in laboratory research. This is one of the reasons wheatgrass juice is frequently marketed as an antioxidant drink.

But there is an important distinction between “wheatgrass contains compounds with antioxidant activity” and “wheatgrass juice prevents diseases caused by oxidative stress.” The first is supported by research. The second requires human clinical evidence that is much stronger than what currently exists.

3. Wheatgrass juice has been studied for ulcerative colitis

One of the most notable clinical studies of wheatgrass juice was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial published in 2002. The study involved 23 people with active distal ulcerative colitis.

Participants received either 100 cc of wheatgrass juice daily, or a matching placebo, for one month. The researchers reported improvements in overall disease activity and rectal bleeding in the wheatgrass group.

This is an interesting finding because it came from a controlled human study rather than a laboratory experiment. But the study was small and short.

It does not establish that wheatgrass juice treats ulcerative colitis broadly, and it certainly does not establish wheatgrass juice as a treatment for Crohn’s disease or other inflammatory conditions. The broader wheatgrass literature has similar limitations: many clinical studies have small sample sizes and methodological weaknesses.

4. Wheatgrass juice has been studied alongside cancer treatment

Wheatgrass juice is sometimes marketed online as a cancer treatment. That claim goes beyond the available evidence. There is legitimate research involving wheatgrass and cancer care, however.

The study did not establish that wheatgrass juice:

• Cures cancer
• Shrinks tumors
• Prevents cancer
• Replaces chemotherapy
• Treats colorectal cancer

How to make wheatgrass juice

Making fresh wheatgrass juice at home requires only fresh wheatgrass and an appropriate juicer.

Wheatgrass shot recipe

A wheatgrass shot does not need to be complicated.

• 1–2 ounces fresh wheatgrass juice
• Optional small amount of lemon or ginger

Mix and drink immediately after juicing. Some people prefer wheatgrass by itself, while others use lemon or ginger to make the flavor easier to tolerate.

Adding fruit juice is another option, but it changes the overall nutritional profile of the drink. There is no universally established “best” wheatgrass shot recipe.

How much wheatgrass juice should you drink?

There is no universally established daily dose of wheatgrass juice for general health. Serving recommendations vary substantially between products and wellness programs.

The ulcerative-colitis clinical trial used 100 cc per day, but that amount was part of a specific research protocol and should not automatically be considered a recommended daily serving for everyone.

Andi’s Way currently recommends 2-ounce wheatgrass juice shots once or twice daily on its own consumer guidance page, but that is a company serving recommendation, not a clinically established dosage.

For someone trying wheatgrass juice for the first time, starting with a smaller amount can make it easier to determine individual tolerance.

Fresh vs. frozen wheatgrass juice

Fresh and frozen wheatgrass juice are two different ways to consume the same general type of product.

Fresh wheatgrass juice

Fresh juice is made by pressing recently harvested grass.

Frozen wheatgrass juice

Frozen wheatgrass juice is prepared in advance and stored frozen.

There is no basis for automatically declaring fresh or frozen juice universally “better.” They serve different practical needs.

Wheatgrass juice vs. wheatgrass juice powder

Powder is one of the biggest sources of confusion in wheatgrass searches. Wheatgrass juice powder is made by processing wheatgrass or wheatgrass juice into a dry form.

That makes it convenient and shelf-stable, but it is no longer the same physical preparation as freshly pressed juice. Differences can include:

• Processing method
• Moisture content
• Nutrient concentration
• Storage conditions
• Serving size
• Flavor
• Solubility

A clinical study involving fresh wheatgrass juice should not automatically be used to make the same claim about every wheatgrass juice powder. The form used in the actual study matters.

Wheatgrass juice side effects

Wheatgrass juice is generally consumed as a food or supplement, but some people may experience problems.

Nausea

Digestive discomfort

Some people may experience gastrointestinal discomfort when consuming concentrated wheatgrass products. Individual tolerance varies.

Food-safety concerns

That does not mean every raw juice is contaminated. It means that untreated juice has a different food-safety profile from pasteurized juice.

Is raw wheatgrass juice safe?

“Raw” generally means the juice has not been pasteurized or otherwise treated to eliminate harmful microorganisms.

That can preserve the characteristics of an untreated fresh juice, but it also means the product does not receive the pathogen-reduction step used in pasteurization.

The FDA recommends that consumers understand whether a juice has been treated and pay attention to warning labels for untreated packaged juice.

For raw wheatgrass juice, factors such as the following all matter:

• Clean growing conditions
• Water quality
• Harvesting practices
• Equipment sanitation
• Packaging
• Cold-chain handling
• Refrigeration or freezing

Does wheatgrass juice need to be refrigerated?

Yes. Fresh wheatgrass juice is perishable and should be refrigerated promptly after juicing if it is not consumed immediately. A clean, sealed container is preferable.

Frozen commercial wheatgrass juice should remain frozen according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Do not assume that freezing and thawing make a raw juice sterile. Freezing is primarily a storage method, not a substitute for pasteurization.

Can you freeze homemade wheatgrass juice?

You can freeze homemade wheatgrass juice for longer storage. Using small containers or individual portions can make it easier to thaw only what you plan to use.

However, freezing does not eliminate all food-safety concerns. Start with clean equipment, clean wheatgrass, and appropriate food-handling practices. When thawing, follow the same basic cold-food safety principles you would use for other homemade juices.

Can you mix wheatgrass juice with other juice?

Yes. Wheatgrass has a strong grassy flavor, so some people mix it with other ingredients. Common combinations include:

• Wheatgrass + lemon
• Wheatgrass + ginger
• Wheatgrass + cucumber
• Wheatgrass + apple
• Wheatgrass + celery

Mixing can make wheatgrass easier to drink, but the nutritional profile changes depending on what else is added. A fruit-heavy mixture will generally contain considerably more natural sugar than straight wheatgrass juice.

Can you grow wheatgrass for juicing at home?

Yes. Wheatgrass is relatively easy to grow indoors. A basic setup requires:

• Wheat berries intended for sprouting
• A shallow growing tray
• Soil or another appropriate growing medium
• Water
• Light
• Good airflow

The seeds are typically soaked before planting and then spread densely across the growing medium. Under suitable conditions, wheatgrass can become harvestable within roughly a week to 10 days.

Growing at home can be appealing if you want a continuous supply for juicing, but mold is one of the most common problems. Avoid excessive moisture and poor airflow. If visible mold develops, discard the affected tray rather than juicing it.

Where can you buy wheatgrass juice?

Depending on where you live, wheatgrass juice may be available at:

• Juice bars
• Health-food stores
• Farmers markets
• Organic farms
• Specialty grocery stores
• Online farms

Searching for “wheatgrass juice near me” can help identify local options, but local stock can be inconsistent. Online ordering can be useful for people who do not live near a farm or juice bar that regularly sells wheatgrass juice.

Andi’s Way currently offers a dedicated wheatgrass juice collection containing frozen 100% raw wheatgrass juice and other wheatgrass shots. Its frozen wheatgrass juice is shipped nationwide Monday through Wednesday, with express shipping included on the current product page.

What should you look for when buying wheatgrass juice?

Not every wheatgrass juice is produced the same way. Before buying, consider:

1. Ingredient transparency — is the product actually 100% wheatgrass juice, or are other juices, sweeteners, or ingredients included?
2. Fresh or frozen? Understand whether you are buying fresh juice, frozen juice, shelf-stable powder, or a blended drink.
3. Processing — is it raw, pasteurized, or otherwise treated?
4. Shipping — for online orders, understand how the product is packaged and kept cold.
5. Storage instructions — fresh and frozen products require different handling.
6. Growing and sourcing information — can you identify where the wheatgrass comes from?
7. Gluten considerations — if you have celiac disease or another condition requiring strict gluten avoidance, evaluate the finished product and the manufacturer’s information rather than assuming every wheatgrass product is identical.

Is wheatgrass juice gluten-free?

Pure wheatgrass can be gluten-free because it is harvested as young grass before mature wheat grain develops. However, contamination with mature grain or seed material can matter for people who need to avoid gluten strictly.

The question therefore becomes not only “what is wheatgrass?” but also “how was the finished product harvested, processed, tested, and packaged?” Read the ingredient and labeling information for the specific product.

Does wheatgrass juice “detox” your body?

There is not strong clinical evidence establishing wheatgrass juice as a general detoxification treatment. The body already has systems for processing and eliminating waste, including the liver, kidneys, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract.

Wheatgrass can provide nutrients and plant compounds. That does not establish it as a detox treatment. So it is more accurate to think of wheatgrass juice as a concentrated plant beverage than as a “cleanse.”

What about wheatgrass juice and cancer?

Wheatgrass juice has been investigated in cancer-related research, including research involving patients receiving chemotherapy. That does not establish wheatgrass as a cancer treatment.

This is why claims such as “wheatgrass kills cancer cells” should be treated carefully. A laboratory experiment can identify a mechanism worth researching without demonstrating a therapeutic effect in humans.

Is wheatgrass juice worth trying?

For someone interested in fresh plant foods, wheatgrass juice can be an interesting food to try. It has a distinctive flavor, a concentrated format, and a nutritional profile that has attracted legitimate scientific interest.

But expectations matter. Wheatgrass juice is not a proven detox treatment, cancer cure, or replacement for medical care.

The practical choice is often between convenience and freshness: fresh juice requires wheatgrass and a juicer; frozen juice provides convenience without requiring you to juice the grass yourself; powder is shelf-stable but is a more processed format.

The bottom line

Wheatgrass juice is a concentrated beverage made by pressing juice from young wheatgrass.

Research has identified nutrients and bioactive compounds in wheatgrass and has investigated potential effects in areas such as ulcerative colitis and cancer care. But much of the clinical evidence is based on small studies, and larger, better-designed trials are needed before broad health recommendations can be made.

Fresh and raw wheatgrass juice also comes with practical food-safety considerations. Untreated juice can carry harmful bacteria, which is why storage, handling, production conditions, and the consumer’s individual risk profile matter.

For most people, the best way to think about wheatgrass juice is as a plant-based beverage with interesting nutritional properties and an emerging research base — not a miracle cure.