Choice magazine compares wheatgrass to Coffee and Coke!

Quote: “On the other hand it’s probably harmless, and makes an
interesting alternative to a coffee or Coke — as long as you can bear the taste!”
- Viola Korczak, Choice Magazine 5th May, 2006.

Here are a few comments that others had to say about the wheatgrass article


In Defence of Wheatgrass

By Dr Chris Reynolds (Practicing GP based in Melbourne)

Having used wheatgrass medically since 1995, I can vouch for successful outcomes and improved quality of life for more than 30,000 patients.

The Choice article panning wheatgrass (“Juice no cure-all”, Herald Sun 9 May, 2005) was hackneyed and misinformed. While some of the nutritional claims are clearly quite suspect, the herb’s therapeutic properties can be highly beneficial in medicine. Had Choice searched under “chlorophyllin research”, they might have presented a more balanced view as there has been a great deal of research relating to the healing properties of cereal grasses/wheatgrass since the 1930’s.

Dr. Chris Reynolds.
South Yarra.
www.wheatgrassprofessional.info

Response from Sprout Organic Wheatgrass

Richie Coutts

Is it that Viola Korczak from Choice Magazine doesn’t like the taste of wheatgrass, or doesn’t she like alternative (non-mainstream) health options, I wonder?
A poorly researched article like this one, from an influential organisation, is irresponsible and blatantly insulting to the people who benefit from alternative health options and to the natural health industry.
Wheatgrass, and other cereal grasses, are a natural food used for more than 60 years. Many proven therapeutic benefits from the consumption of wheatgrass juice have been found. There are potentially many more to be discovered.

The disparaging Choice article will not affect those many people who already use wheatgrass and know the benefits personally, but may dissuade those who don’t know about wheatgrass, and thus deny them the opportunity to improve their health using this natural (non-synthetic) therapy. It is disappointing to read such a biased, badly researched article written by the Choice magazine. Prior to this article I thought Choice was trustworthy and reputable.
I’m not sure what to believe from Choice any more!

Richie Coutts,
Sprout Organic Wheatgrass
www.sprout.net.au

Response from Byron Bay Wheatgrass

Jonathan Grant

Budget and time pressures for Choice, my estimate is 4 hours sitting in front of Google! I advise anyone reading this story to 'do your own research'...

Jonathan Grant
Byron Bay Wheatgrass
www.byronbaywheatgrass.com.au

Response from Rhonda Boswell, Bondi Wheatgrass Juice company

It was with some great dissapointment that I read the article written by 'Choice Consumer Magazine' in May of this year on wheatgrass and its benefits, or lack of them.

I have been a grower and distributer of wheatgrass in Sydney and rural NSW for the past nine years.

I have many testimonials and much anecdotal evidence of the efficacy and benefits of a regular intake of wheatgrass, particularly if it is freshly juiced.

I have supplied hundreds of shops, mainly juice bars, as well as many thousands of individuals with wheatgrass, either growing in trays or freshly juiced.
Many of my customers have been with me from the beginning and are still regularly ordering wheatgrass on a weekly or biweekly basis.

I have also taught a great number of people how to grow their own wheatgrass at home and supported them in their wheatgrass endeavors.

I have consulted to many clients and businesses internationally and have helped people get wheatgrass growing in the UK, Ireland, The Phillipinnes, Indonesia, Rome, and China at the moment I am working with some entrepreneurs in Denmark, assisting them to get their business started over there.

There have never been anything but positive results and reports from all these people in all these different countries, not to mention the huge success wheatgrass enjoys here in Australia.

There is no way it would be as popular as it is or such a ever expanding industry, if the stuff didn't work!.

I started growing and selling wheatgrass initially because of my own experiences with it. I had never come across anything that was so simple and inexpensive to produce but was so powerful in promoting good health, healing and well being.

I was (and still am) so passionate and so inspired by wheatgrass I wanted to share this wonderful and simple answer to good health with the whole community...and so I have!

So I would urge Choice Magazine to take another look at wheatgrass, and barleygrass and all the other cereal grasses and do some better research. Research that really looks at the many studies done worldwide and looks at the many books that have been written and the information on hundreds of websites that exist globally (including this one) and having done that then do another, more indepth artical on wheatgrass and its healing properties and innumerable health benefits. By doing this they will then do the right thing by the whole community, and isn't that what Choice is all about?

Rhonda Boswell.
Founder and director of The Bondi Wheatgrass Juice company

Response to the Choice Magazine article:

“Wheatgrass…It’s the health tonic of the moment, but where’s the
evidence for its benefits?”
(This article appeared in Australian Choice Magazine early in May, 2006)

A number of other media outlets quickly parroted the article only days after it was released.
At the time of writing, many of these copies can still be found on the internet with sensational headings such as:
  • Wheatgrass doesn't live up to hype (ABC Science Online)
  • Wheatgrass won't work wonders: experts (SMH.com.au - Sydney Morning Herald)
  • Wheatgrass shot down (The Australian Newspaper)
  • A long shot (The Daily Telegraph)
  • Wheatgrass won't work wonders: experts (Nine msn)
It is felt that the opinions and statements expressed in this article are somewhat misinformed and harmful and it is thus deemed important to provide a reply. This response will deal with each section of the article.