I tried Raw Living wheatgrass powder in my gym water bottle for more energy, but did it work?

My gym water bottle has turned an alarming shade of green. Inside is Raw Living’s organic wheatgrass powder, which tastes exactly how I imagine freshly mown grass would taste. I’ve never actually eaten grass, but after several combat classes drinking the stuff, I feel qualified to make an educated guess.

Wheatgrass and I have history. I first tried it years ago, when health food shops were promising glowing skin and boundless energy. Back then, I was mainly interested in the skin. Now, at 50, I’m more concerned about having enough stamina to survive another round of burpees without contemplating an early exit. So I’ve brought wheatgrass back, this time in my gym water bottle, to see whether it makes any difference when I’m throwing punches, kicking imaginary opponents and trying to keep up with the instructor.

I wanted to know whether drinking wheatgrass during combat classes made a noticeable difference when the combinations became longer and I was running out of enthusiasm.

I’ve tried several wheatgrass powders over the years, and Raw Living’s is the best I’ve found. It’s noticeably lighter and finer than others I’ve used, making it easier to mix into water without spending five minutes shaking the bottle. Some powders leave stubborn lumps floating around, but this one disperses more readily and doesn’t feel quite so heavy when drinking it.

The flavour is earthy and distinctly grassy, with none of the sweetness that might make it more appealing. It’s definitely not something I’d order in a café when there’s a perfectly good cappuccino available. The texture is where Raw Living wins me over, although adding too much produces a chalky drink that isn’t too pleasant when I’m already struggling to catch my breath.

I’ve found that a smaller amount mixed with plenty of water works best. It makes the drink easier to sip throughout a class without swallowing a mouthful of powder between boxing combinations.

My combat classes usually involve a mixture of punches, kicks, squats and enough burpees to make me question my life choices. The first ten minutes are generally manageable. It’s when the combinations become longer, the pace picks up and the instructor announces another round that I start wondering how much I’ve got left in the tank.

Since adding Raw Living’s wheatgrass powder to my water bottle, I’ve noticed that I sometimes feel more energetic during those tougher stretches. I take a few sips between combinations, and on some days I feel more willing to push through the final rounds rather than ease off. It’s not a sudden rush of energy, more a feeling that I’ve got enough left to keep moving when I’d ordinarily be looking forward to the cool-down.

I’ve also noticed that the amount I mix matters to how comfortable the drink is during exercise. Too much powder makes it chalky and unpleasant when I’m breathing heavily, so I prefer a lighter mixture that I can drink throughout the session. I find it easier to keep sipping than I would with a thick green shake.

Of course, this isn’t a laboratory experiment. I haven’t timed my combinations, compared heart-rate data or measured whether I’m completing more repetitions. My sleep, meals and general mood vary from one session to another, and drinking more water could explain some of the difference. What I can say is that I enjoy having wheatgrass in my bottle and sometimes feel I’ve got more energy towards the end of class.

Nutrition and mental wellbeing have become increasingly interesting to me, particularly during perimenopause, when sleep, energy and mood can be unpredictable. I’ve become more conscious of how closely what I eat and how I exercise affect the way I feel.

Nutritionist Amanda Hamilton has previously highlighted the importance of nutrients such as folate and magnesium in supporting normal brain and nervous system function. Leafy greens, including spinach and kale, provide these nutrients, while green powders offer another way of incorporating plant ingredients into our diets.

The Mental Health Foundation’s Food for Thought briefing examines the relationship between diet and emotional wellbeing. However, evidence that a balanced diet supports mental health doesn’t mean wheatgrass itself can relieve anxiety, prevent depression or improve concentration.

For me, eating properly, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly remain more important than any supplement. Wheatgrass is something I’ve chosen to add to my routine, rather than something I expect to solve a difficult week.

That extraordinary green colour reminds me of Nowruz, the Persian New Year. Every spring, we grow sabzeh for our Haft-Seen table, watching the seeds develop into a thick carpet of green shoots. The greenery represents renewal and the arrival of spring, and it’s one of my favourite parts of the celebration.

Wheatgrass has much the same appearance, although we haven’t yet resorted to putting our Nowruz sprouts through the blender. H might approve, but I’d rather keep the decorations and dietary supplements separate. If you’re curious about the tradition, I’ve written about creating our Haft-Seen table for Nowruz.

Wheatgrass contains chlorophyll and various nutrients and plant compounds, but there’s limited high-quality human research showing that it improves athletic performance. Claims about detoxification, reversing ageing and increasing oxygen levels also lack convincing clinical evidence.

Raw Living also sells barleygrass powder, which has an interesting historical association with Roman gladiators. The company refers to ancient warriors consuming barley for strength and endurance, although that doesn’t establish that modern grass powders produce similar results. It’s an entertaining image when I’m throwing punches in a combat class, but ancient dietary habits aren’t evidence of improved athletic performance.

For me, the basics still matter most. Eating a varied diet, drinking enough water and allowing time for recovery will do more for my fitness than relying on a single powder.

Probably, although I wouldn’t rush to replace it the moment the packet runs out. Raw Living’s organic wheatgrass is my favourite of the powders I’ve tried because it’s finer, easier to mix and convenient to carry in my gym bottle. The taste won’t suit everyone, and using too much leaves an unpleasant chalky texture.

I sometimes feel more energetic during combat classes when I drink it, but I can’t establish whether the wheatgrass deserves the credit. I already eat a varied diet, enjoy my vegetables and exercise regularly, so I don’t consider another green powder essential to my health.

For now, I’m happy to keep using it when I fancy something different in my water bottle. It’s a product I like rather than one I couldn’t manage without, and that’s probably the fairest recommendation I can give.

Have you tried wheatgrass before a workout? Did you notice any difference, or was the taste enough to put you off?

Occasional stories, experiments, discoveries and questions from Saffron & Cyrus.