A wheatgrass shot is a small amount of concentrated juice made of the young, tender shoots of wheat plants. The potent liquid packs a vitamin wallop equal to the most nutritious of leafy green vegetables, such as spinach and broccoli. Two to four ounces (57 to 113 grams) twice daily is the recommended dose. Wheatgrass juice is said to have curative properties for several ailments, particularly digestive problems.

Wheatgrass shots are deep green in color, revealing a high concentration of chlorophyll, the green pigment found in plants. Wheatgrass juice contains a wealth of enzymes, amino acids and healthy minerals that quickly enter the bloodstream once ingested. The nutrient content in a wheatgrass shot includes protein, beta carotene, vitamins E, C, and B12, as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and potassium. Because the grass is cut before the wheat berry forms, people with wheat allergies usually have no trouble digesting small amounts of wheat grass juice.

The wheatgrass shot is a healthy order in juice bars, where shots can be taken alone or mixed with other juices or in a smoothie. A clump of wheat grass is inserted in a juicer and liquified, resulting in a concentrated, green potion. Some people think two shots of wheatgrass each day is a healthy regimen. Too much can cause bloating, gas and cramps. The benefits of drinking wheatgrass juice have not been clinically proven, but proponents’ claims include improved digestion, lessening of menopause symptoms, relief of constipation, and detoxifying the bloodstream of metals. Wheatgrass shots may also help prevent heart disease and diabetes.

The taste of a wheatgrass shot can take some getting used to, and most people try to drink it in one gulp. Some people find the taste of wheatgrass juice completely repugnant. There are two other forms of wheatgrass supplements for those who have difficulty swallowing a wheatgrass shot. Wheatgrass powder and wheatgrass tablets are available in health food stores and nutrition aisles, as well as online.

While some users tout super wheatgrasses that take up to 200 days to cultivate, there is little nutritional advantage over young grasses ten days old. It is not difficult for consumers to grow wheatgrass for private consumption. Wheat berries can be planted in small pots, and the grass shoots are ready to harvest in as little as a week. A home juicer can quickly extract the concentrated liquid, making a fresh wheatgrass shot available anytime.