Food companies and their misleading labels

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Food is for nutrition and to provide the body with energy and vital nutrients. Names of foods help us to know what the likely ingredients might be in it. But often, we notice that food names are misleading. They can fool a person into buying only to realize that it did not meet their expectations and imagination. For instance, take the example of samosa. An ideal samosa is refined wheat flour (maida) wrap with mashed potatoes and boiled peas inside. And when we say paneer samosa (cottage cheese stuffed fried dumplings), the picture that comes to our mind is of a wrap of refined wheat flour dough with paneer inside. But to your disappointment, you will find that these samosas are nothing but the normal samosas with mashed potatoes with or without boiled peas and just 1 small piece of cottage cheese at one corner!!! If we talk about rusks, most of these are made of refined wheat flour or maida which is not healthy. Maida is stripped of all the vital nutrients such as fiber, vitamins,
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Wheatgrass: nutrient value, research, and health benefit claims

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Wheatgrass is, as the name implies, a grass of the wheat family. But it is edible. It is supposed to be nutrient-rich and help in a healthy life. Its juice can be had fresh and it is also marketed in freeze dried form as liquids, tablets, capsules and powders for supplemental therapy. What are the other ways that wheatgrass can be consumed? 

Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass is freshly sprouted leaves of the wheat plant also called as Triticum aestivum.  Many people grow it at home and juice it for their daily needs. Additionally, juice of wheatgrass is also available in juice bars. It is sold as oral forms and also as massage lotions, sprays, gels and in cream forms. The juice is extracted before the seed formation and hence is gluten free.

Wheatgrass (Source: Wikipedia) 

It is used in Persia and reached the Western world in the 1930s and 1940s. The plant can be cultivated both indoors as well as outdoors. Trays are usually used and a potting mix serves as the soil. The harvesting of leaves is done when a ‘split’ occurs. This means when another leaf emerges. One can clip it and allow the second crop of shoots to begin forming. A third clipping is also done but it tends to have lesser sugars. 

Wheatgrass and its nutrient value

In wheat grass, a concentrated form of nutrients is packed. These include vitamin A, C, K, B, and E, potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, copper, selenium, calcium, magnesium, manganese, chlorophyll , enzymes, and essential amino acids. It can kill harmful gut bacteria and also boost immunity. It helps clear body toxins. But though these are claims, accompanying scientific data is lacking. 

Some also claim that it is useful in cancer therapy and in prevention of chemotherapy side-effects. It is said to help in anemic patients, diabetes, other infections affecting the body, joint pains, ulcerative colitis, and such disorders. 

Wheatgrass (Source: Pinterest) 

It is said to be a safe bet but can cause nausea, anorexia, and constipation is some patients. Some allergy to wheatgrass has been reported. It is to be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Though its juice is gluten free, some dietitians do not recommend it for celiac disease patients and those with gluten intolerance due to risk of cross contamination. 

Also read here: Peter Pan syndrome 

It should be noted that it is no wonder drug and cannot replace other mainstream therapies or specific diseases. Besides do not stop having fruits and vegetables that are definitely proven to be healthy. Use wheatgrass in moderation. One can add it to smoothies and drinks or have it whole as a juice. 

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