10 Health benefits of drinking green smoothies

March 28, 2022

10 Health benefits of drinking green smoothies

If you follow me on social media you'll know that I absolutely LOVE green smoothies. They are full of nutrients, low in calories and very filling. There are so many varieties and it always makes me feel full of energy and amped for the day. Skip to the end for my current favourite green smoothie recipe and a cheat sheet for the benefits.

10 health benefits of green smoothies:

1. Increased fruits and vegetables intake

The American Cancer Society recommends that we eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables each day to prevent chronic diseases. A smoothie is a great way to up your fruits and vegetables intake since the average green smoothie contains 3-5 servings of fruits and vegetables.

Adding leafy greens like spinach, kale and lettuce is a great way to increase your intake without tasting them. This will also increase the nutrient density of your smoothie without increasing the calories as leafy greens are very low-calorie foods.

2. Enhanced nutrient absorption

Green smoothies provide your body with up to 100% of your daily value of vitamins A, C and K. They are also good sources of B vitamins (except B12), vitamin E and folate.

Green smoothies are also a good source for a variety of minerals like calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, and potassium. Blending vegetables and fruits unlocks their nutrients which is then easily absorbed by your body.

3. Improved digestion

Blending fruits and vegetables breaks down the cells of the plant and makes them easier to digest. Since you are not juicing the fruits and vegetables they still maintain their fiber which is essential for good colon health. It feeds your beneficial gut microbes, supports optimum digestion and strengthens your immune system.

4. Reduced cravings

Green smoothies reduce cravings for junk foods, sweets, salt and fats. After a few weeks of drinking green smoothies you will find yourself craving fruits and vegetables instead.

You can add sweet fruits, such as berries and litchis, to your smoothie to satisfy your sweet tooth. You can also add healthy raw chocolate (cacao) or a chocolate flavoured protein shake to satisfy chocolate cravings and nut butter to satisfy any salt cravings.

5. Improved energy

Green smoothies provide a powerful boost of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other nutrients without overloading your digestive system. Eating natural, whole foods in the most optimum form for digestion and nutrient absorption will give you more energy to get things done and enjoy your day. Fruits and vegetables also contain B vitamins and magnesium which help support your body’s energy metabolism.

6. Improved mental focus and clarity

A healthier diet and sustained energy provides greater mental clarity and focus. Unlike caffeine green smoothies do not have any side effects and won’t cause any afternoon slump. Your mind will be clear throughout the day.

7. Excellent source of antioxidants

Green smoothies contain high doses of antioxidants and phytonutrients that protect your health, support your immune system and reduce signs of aging. Green smoothies give your body the best defences against diseases and fills it with a variety of natural substances that are essential for optimum health and fitness.

Add berries, pomegranates, acai and cacao (raw chocolate) to your green smoothie for an antioxidant rich smoothie.

8. Natural weight loss remedy

Green smoothies help you lose weight in 2 ways:

· Replacing one meal a day with a green smoothie lowers your calorie intake and increases your fruits and vegetables fiber intake

· Green smoothies reset your taste buds and makes you want to eat more healthy foods and less junk food.

9. Help your healthy lifestyle

The human mind thrives on consistency so one healthy habit leads to another. Our bodies also soon crave more healthy habits as it gets used to the healthy nutrients from the green smoothies which makes you more likely to live a healthier life.

10. It is flexible and versatile

Green smoothies are very customisable. You can add any vegetables and fruits together, according to your taste preferences, and even add other nutrient sources such as protein shake powder, spirulina powder, nut butter, spices, and seeds like chia and pumpkin.

Some examples of special smoothie recipes are:

· Oats, nut butter and bananas for pre-workout shakes

· Citrus fruits, cranberries and ginger for cold and flu symptoms

· Red and orange fruits and vegetables, pineapples, turmeric spice and ginger for anti-inflammatory properties and arthritis symptoms

· Spinach, avocado, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and cayenne pepper for PMS symptoms

My current favourite green smoothie recipe:

· 3 handfuls spinach

· 2 bananas

· 1 tablespoon non-fat mixed berry yoghurt

· 1 tablespoon rolled oats

· 1 teaspoon peanut butter

· 1 teaspoon vanilla essence

· Splash of milk

Add everything to your blender and blend until smooth. Store in the fridge overnight for soft oats and a smoother texture. Mix with a fork before drinking to blend the milk at the bottom with the thicker mixture on top.

♥ Michelle Smillie ♥

Let life be, let love in