Would You Eat Grass to Survive?

A common survival myth suggests eating grass in dire circumstances. However, the human body cannot extract significant nutrition from grass.

Quick Summary

Eating grass is ineffective for survival due to humans' inability to digest it. The body lacks the necessary enzymes and gut bacteria, making other food sources essential.

Key Points

• Biologically Ineffective: Humans can't break down grass, making it a poor food source.

• No Caloric Benefit: Eating grass provides no nutritional value.

• Digestive Risks: Eating grass causes digestive issues, including vomiting and diarrhea.

• Toxic Contamination: Wild grass can have pesticides, pollutants, and dangerous parasites or bacteria.

• Dental Damage: Silica in grass can damage tooth enamel.

• Safer Alternatives Exist: Focus on finding safe, edible wild plants with digestible parts.

The Biological Reality: Why Humans Can't Digest Grass

Unlike animals like cows, which have specialized stomachs to break down plant fibers, humans lack the necessary parts to get nutrition from grass. The main problem is cellulose.

The Cellulose Challenge

Cellulose is a main part of plant cell walls, providing strength. Cellulose is made of glucose, but the bonds between the glucose units are different from those in starch, which humans can digest. The body does not make the enzyme cellulase, which is needed to break these bonds.

• Herbivore Digestion: Animals such as cows have bacteria in their gut. These bacteria have the cellulase enzyme. They break down the plant material into fatty acids that the animal can absorb for energy.
• Human Digestion: For humans, grass passes through the digestive tract. It acts only as fiber and provides no calories or nutrition. Eating grass in a survival situation wastes energy.

The Role of Our Digestive System

The human digestive system is designed for a varied diet, not for the slow process needed to break down cellulose. Eating grass can cause digestive problems.

• Minimal Absorption: While some intestinal bacteria in humans can partially ferment cellulose, the energy gained is small and can't sustain life.
• Digestive Upset: Eating a lot of fiber can cause bloating, gas, stomach pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Diarrhea is especially dangerous in a survival situation.

Dangers Beyond Indigestion

Eating wild grass has risks that can make a survival situation worse.

Contaminants and Toxins

Wild grasses can be contaminated with harmful substances.

• Pesticides and Herbicides: Lawns and fields are often treated with chemicals.
• Pollutants: Grass can absorb toxins from the soil and air.
• Parasites and Bacteria: Grass can have pathogens, including parasites that can cause illness.
• Natural Plant Toxins: Some grass species can produce cyanide, which is dangerous.

The Threat to Your Teeth

Grass has abrasive silica, also found in quartz and sand. Chewing grass would wear down tooth enamel. The teeth of animals like cows are made to counteract this, but human teeth are not. Damage to your teeth can lead to pain, infection, and long-term problems.

Grass vs. Edible Plant Parts: A Comparison

This table shows why eating parts of grass-family plants is more effective and safe than eating grass blades.

Feature	Grass Blades (e.g., Lawn Grass)	Edible Grass Parts (e.g., Grains, Shoots)
Digestibility for Humans	Very poor; primarily indigestible cellulose.	High; starch is easily broken down into glucose.
Caloric Value	Negligible; more energy is expended chewing than is gained.	High; grains (wheat, rice) are a cornerstone of human nutrition.
Nutritional Profile	Low; minimal absorption of vitamins and minerals.	High; rich in complex carbohydrates, protein, vitamins, and minerals.
Dental Impact	Abrasive silica can wear down tooth enamel.	Minimal to none; dependent on preparation (e.g., grinding grain).
Contamination Risk	High; exposed surface can harbor toxins and parasites.	Dependent on source; properly processed grains and shoots are safe.

Alternatives to Eating Grass in a Survival Scenario

Focus on safe, more nutritious food sources.

Foraging Edible Wild Plants

Some common options, depending on location, include:

• Cattails: The inner core of the stalk and the root rhizomes are edible. Proper identification is critical.
• Dandelions: The leaves, flowers, and roots are edible. Young leaves are less bitter.
• Acorns: Acorns are high-calorie, but require effort to process to remove bitter tannins.
• Pine Needles: Pine needle tea is a source of Vitamin C. The cambium of some pine trees is also edible.

Tapping into Ancient Survival Wisdom

Early humans didn't survive by eating leaves but by exploiting digestible parts of grass plants. Ancient ancestors would eat the roots, bulbs, and seeds of grassy plants, like grains (wheat, rice, corn).

Learning proper identification is key. Resources from organizations like the Wilderness Awareness School can help you find safe, edible alternatives instead of eating grass.

Conclusion: A Dangerous and Ineffective Strategy

The answer to the question, "Would you eat grass to survive?" is no. It is an ineffective and hazardous approach. The human body's inability to digest cellulose means that chewing and swallowing grass provides no calories or nutrients and can cause severe digestive distress. The risk of ingesting harmful contaminants, coupled with the potential for dental damage, makes it a strategy to be avoided. Identifying truly edible wild plants, or their starchy root parts, is the best course of action in a survival scenario.

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens to your body when you eat grass?

When you eat grass, it passes through your digestive system because humans lack the enzyme to break down its cellulose. This provides no nutritional value and can cause stomach upset, bloating, and diarrhea.

Can you get any nutrients from eating grass?

No. Grass contains nutrients, but your body can't break down its cellulose cell walls. You will not get any calories, proteins, or vitamins from eating grass.

Why can cows eat grass but humans can't?

Cows have a specialized stomach and gut bacteria that produce the cellulase enzyme to break down grass. Humans lack this digestive system and the necessary bacteria.

Is it better to eat nothing than to eat grass?

Yes. Most adults can survive for weeks without food, if they have water. Eating grass is dangerous and offers no benefit.

Can I eat grass if it's cooked?

Cooking grass does not make it digestible for humans. Heat does not break down the cellulose.

Are there any parts of grass that humans can eat?

Yes, some parts of plants in the grass family are edible and nutritious, such as the seeds (grains like wheat, rice, corn) and starchy roots or shoots. These are processed differently by the body than the fibrous green blades.

What are some safe alternatives to eating grass in a survival situation?

Safe alternatives include properly identified edible wild plants like cattail rhizomes, dandelion leaves, or acorns. Focus on foraging for foods with known digestibility rather than attempting to eat grass.