The World Health Organization recommends eating at least 400 grams of fruits and vegetables daily because they demonstrate many health benefits. However, most people don’t meet the daily recommended fruit and vegetable intake, and many shifts to dietary supplements instead.
We are used to only getting our leafy greens through fresh vegetables. But thanks to greens powders, they can help you reach your nutrient intake without eating actual green vegetables.
Greens powder, also known as a green superfood, is a dietary supplement made from combinations of dried fruits and veggies blended into a powder. They are designed to help you get the nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables in powdered form.
Green powder often contains powder of dehydrated fruits, grains, and grasses, along with blends of probiotics and digestive enzymes. They also include added vitamins and minerals, antioxidant-rich fruits, plant extracts, and fibers.
If you’re wondering about super greens powder benefits, let’s get to know them!
What Do Green Powders Do?
Remember that green powders are not a substitute for a healthy diet and cannot replace the health benefits you get from consuming whole foods.
The information first found on www.healthcanal.com/nutrition/best-greens-powder showed that green powders can be a great way to supplement a balanced diet with an extra boost of vitamins and minerals.
Just be careful when taking any nutritional supplement because taking vitamins in excess can lead to some health problems or could interact with certain medications. That’s why it’s essential to talk to your doctor before buying one since greens powders vary by brand.
Green powders claim that the ingredients contain all the necessary nutrients that can contribute to numerous health benefits, including:
Healthy blood pressure
The minerals found in greens powders, such as calcium and potassium, are associated with blood pressure management. Ideal Magazine UK showed that people who took one serving of greens powder experienced a decrease in both the systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Immune system support
Greens powders contain a high level of vitamins and minerals that helps in maintaining a healthy immune system. This vitamin-rich drink has anti-inflammatory properties and is high in Vitamin C, improving immunity.
Prevention of chronic disease
The vitamins found in green powder can reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Fat-soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A, D, E, and K have potent Vivo antioxidant properties that can fight free radicals that damage the cell.
This process of cell damage is known as oxidation, linked to the development of chronic diseases like diabetes and heart disease. In an international journal, one study suggests that green powder should be combined with a physical workout as regular exercise decrease oxidation.
Support detoxification
Green powders have antioxidant properties that support the body’s natural detoxification processes, which helps lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Improve digestion
Not all green powders contain probiotics. Probiotics are live microorganisms that help improve gut health by enhancing digestion.
Who Should Take (and Not Take) Green Powders?
Powdered greens are a great way to improve a healthy diet because they are loaded with vitamins and minerals. However, the nutrients included and their amount can vary based on brand. Make sure to ask your doctor which formulation is best for your condition.
There is only a handful of groups whom Erik Pham, CEO of a health e-magazine suggests daily green juice powder concentrate, including those struggling to get enough veggies and drink enough water. Also, for athletes that require high-calorie demands.
However, if you already feel good, get access to recommended servings of fruits and veggies every day, or are sensitive to supplements, you have to avoid drinking greens powders.
In addition, people with high blood pressure should first ask their doctor if they can take greens powder since certain nutrients can increase their blood pressure. Speaking of nutrients, vitamin K can interact with certain medications such as antibiotics, cholesterol medications, and blood thinners.
Pregnant and breastfeeding people should avoid taking greens powders as they may pose certain risks.
How to Choose the Best Veggie Powders?
We all know that we should be keen when choosing any supplement and ensure that they will not cause any harmful effects on our health.
The first thing to do is read the label before adding powdered greens to your cart. That’s the best way to help you choose the good green powder brand and save time from guessing and testing one brand from another.
As you read the label, here are some things to consider when choosing the best greens and superfoods:
- It should contain a variety of ingredients
Aside from the quality, you should consider the quantity of the ingredients found in green powder. Keep in mind that no single ingredient in the world possesses all the nutrients the body needs.
- It should have vegetable ingredients
Common vegetables in greens powders are green cabbage, carrot, spinach, Brussel sprouts, and other vegetables. These vegetable powders are rich in different vitamins, calcium, and fiber.
In addition, it should have herbs, such as milk thistle, and some nutritional extracts, including ginkgo Biloba extract and maitake mushroom extract
- It should contain antioxidants
Aside from fruits and veggies, some greens powder contains antioxidant-rich ingredients, such as monk fruit extract, grape seed extract, green tea extract, and more.
Some may even contain natural sugar substitutes, like stevia leaf extract.
- It should have some fiber compounds
Some green powders have fiber, and some don’t. Since these supplements use dried fruits and veggies, they will contain little to no fiber. That’s why some manufacturers add extra natural fiber, such as apple fiber, rice bran, and inulin
- It includes some superfoods
Superfoods are foods that have low calories but have a significant amount of nutrients. Examples of superfoods include barley grass, spirulina, oat grass, kelp, etc.
Final Word – Are Green Powders Good for You?
Green powders are supplements from different fruits and veggies, including seaweed, grass, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and more. They may help improve overall health, but the results may vary based on ingredients.
Before taking any supplement, ask your doctor first if the ingredients of a particular brand of green powders can trigger a health condition or with medication.
Moreover, take note that they are not a direct substitute for fresh greens, so as much as possible, eat plenty of fruits and veggies and a variety of healthy foods.
