What are green smoothies?
Green smoothies are a combination of leafy greens, fresh fruits, and supplements such as yogurt, nuts, or nut butter. According to Dr. Heidi Moawad, currently teaching at Case Western Reserve Medical University in Cleveland (USA), green smoothies help the body quickly absorb vitamins, minerals and antioxidants - essential nutrients that are difficult to tolerate from regular meals.
"Milling vegetables and fruits instead of juicing helps retain fiber, which is an important component in the digestive process and regulates blood sugar. Fiber not only helps you feel full longer but also nourishes the gut microbiome - a fundamental factor for digestive health," said nutritionist Aviv Joshua (Clinical Nutrition Center, Boston University, USA).
Good for weight, blood sugar and memory
Due to its low calorie and high fiber content, green smoothies can help control weight, especially if you use them instead of sugary or refined starchy breakfast dishes. At the same time, green smoothies help limit sudden increases in blood sugar - the reason why you feel tired in the morning and have a potential risk of diabetes.
In addition, the anti-inflammatory and antioxidants in green leafy vegetables and berries also help protect nerve cells, reducing the risk of memory loss. Many studies show that a diet rich in green vegetables can help improve cognitive ability in older adults and improve concentration in young people, Joshua emphasized.
Side effects
If you are surrounded by just a few familiar smoothies, you may miss many other micronutrients. In addition, bottled smoothies on the market sometimes contain a lot of added sugar or preservatives.
To overcome this, you should change your smoothie recipe regularly. Combine spinach, kale, avocado, strawberries, chia seeds, almond milk... and even add a little cooked vegetables to diversify the portion. Healthy eating should be a rich journey, not a single punishment, concluded Aviv Joshua.
