Fact or fiction: Wheatgrass

Is a shot of wheatgrass really the same as eating 2kg of green veges?

It's sometimes promoted as an amazing food that when consumed can improve digestion and prevent everything from cancer to constipation. You'll also see the claim that a 30ml shot of wheatgrass has as much goodness as anything from 1 to 3 kilos of green vegetables. As you will typically pay $3 for a small wheatgrass shot, and it tastes, well, like grass, you'd want that to be true. However, this is one of those times when something that looks too good to be true, probably is. Food safety expert Caroline Gunn explains:

"If you look on the internet you'll find some extreme claims made about the nutritional value of wheat or barley grass juices that cannot be supported by any evidence. A fresh green leafy salad will give you similar nutrients and will probably taste better."

The bottom line: Myth

Yes, it's green, and green vegetables are good for you. But wheatgrass is not going to give you the same goodness as a big plate of vegetables.