I'm interested in finding out the nutritional benefits of wheatgrass,
specifically powdered wheatgrass.  What I want to know is whether
powdered wheatgrass is as good for you as real/fresh wheatgrass is.

jpbischke,

Western wheatgrass is the state grass of  South Dakota!

http://www.northern.edu/natsource/GRASSES/Wester1.htm

 Before I begin my answer, neither Google Answers, not myself endorses
any of the products mentioned on the websites below.

The primary  benefit of dried wheatgrass over fresh is the
availability. According to most of the following sites, wheatgrass
must be freshly harvested to obtain maximum benefits, and growing it
yourself is highly recommended. Since growing it yourself can be
tricky and time consuming, one must weigh the seemingly negligible
benefits of fresh over powdered/juiced/tablet form. Also, when
consuming fresh wheatgrass, one chews the plant, then spits out the
pulp! (Not convenient in public!)

The nutrients contained in wheatgrass are 16  vitamins, 13 minerals, 
and 18 amino acids, along with chlorophyll, enzymes,and vitamins. For
complete details, visit these sites:

    http://www.wheat-grass.com/questions.shtml#11

    http://www.goldenprairie.com/research.html   
       
              http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/agrdes/value_and_use.html

          http://www.synergyproduction.com/pages/wheatgrassjuice.html

According to this website, freeze drying wheatgrass preserves”  it’s
maximum live enzyme values and nutritional content”
http://www.xynergy.co.uk/SweetWheat.html

1 kg. (About 2.2 pounds)  of wheatgrass matches the nutritional value
of 22 kg. (About 48.4 pounds) of ordinary garden vegetables according
to this site:
http://www.lifepositive.com/Body/holistic-recipes/recipes/health-food.asp


Wheatgrass is a living food , and green foods are reported to be
nutritious, and posess  “antimutagenic and antigenotoxic” benefits,
per ParrotParrot, a website that is geared not to human health, but to
avian health.
http://www.parrotparrot.com/birdhealth/wheatgrass.htm

Another bird lovers site, promoting fresh wheatgrass.
http://www.holisticbird.org/pages/dietWheatgrass.htm
 
For biblical references to wheatgrass, visit this site:
http://www.wheatgrasskits.com/articles/lifewhocan.htm


I’m happy to say I found no online mention of any harmful effects of
wheatgrass, or from the consumption of chlorophyll. By the same token,
neither did I find any articles or studies from the reputable medical
websites I routinely search. The information I found, with the
exception of  http://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/graminoid/agrdes/value_and_use.html
was all from independent alternative sites, which often promoted
wheatgrass products.

In summary, it appears that wheatgrass is safe to take and has
nutritional value. The form in which wheatgrass is taken scarcely
affects the nutritional impact. The choice between powder, tablet,
juice or fresh would seem to be based on ease and convenience.

If you are not satisfied with this answer, please request an answer
clarification before rating.

Regards,
crabcakes

Thanks for all of the information on wheatgrass.  From what I've
researched personally and the material that you've provided, it does
look like powdered wheatgrass is an excellent alternative to fresh
wheatgrass.  Thanks for providing the confirmation!