We should all be well aware by now of the importance of enjoying a balanced, nutritious diet, composed primarily of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy and protein.
Amongst those key food groups, leafy green vegetables are considered some of the most nutrient-rich and beneficial to our health. Indeed, in a piece published by Harvard Health in April 2020, both leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables (a category which includes broccoli, brussels sprouts and kale) featured in their list of ‘’10 superfoods to boost a healthy diet’’.
For some folk, however, it can be hard to find the time (or, admittedly, the taste) to include sufficient amounts of green vegetables in their diet. In such cases, a green vegetable powder could come in useful.
It should be noted that, according to Web MD, ‘’Greens powders are not a substitute for a well-balanced diet’’.
However, the website does go on to report that ‘’doctors say that greens powder can be a great way to supplement a healthy diet with a boost of extra vitamins and antioxidants.’’
Interesting stuff, indeed. If you’re keen to explore the potential benefits of the supplement further, and you’re wondering exactly why people take green vegetable powder, then read on.
Could Strengthen Your Immune Framework
There are many ways to keep your immune framework functioning to its full potential. In general, to support your immune system, the first step is to eat a balanced diet with enough veggies.
Green leafy vegetables in particular, and their associated powders, are rich in nutrients and high in Vitamins A, C and K, which are all essential to building a strong immune system. In addition, greens powder supplements such as oat grass, barley grass, and other vegetables which are considered superfoods, also contribute to a supported immunity.
May Help Detoxify Your Body
We are constantly exposed to toxins in everyday life, which are present in everything from our skincare products to the air we breathe. Green leafy vegetables and their associated supplements can assist the body’s inherent capacity to detox, mainly because of the phytonutrients ther contain.
Particularly useful for detoxification are asparagus, which contains glutathione, a well-known antioxidant that promotes detoxification, broccoli, which boasts infectious cell-fighting sulforaphane, and collard greens, boasting sulfur-containing compounds that help facilitate your body’s detoxification process.
Because of the varied nutritional benefits found in each green vegetable, some aim to combine them in a green vegetable powder supplement.
Promotes Cardiovascular Health
If you’re battling high blood pressure and want to improve your heart health, green mineral supplement in powder form can help. There is evidence that people who took one serving of greens powder daily experienced a decrease in both systolic and diastolic blood pressure.
Might Improve Skin Health
Most greens powders contain a decent amount of vitamin A, which promotes skin health. Besides that, greens powders also contain L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C), which has been linked to brighter, healthier looking skin.
Of course, the equivalent green vegetables, as part of a balanced diet, will provide the same benefits to your skin, with the added benefit of all the other vitamins and minerals they offer.
Read: 5 IDEAL ways to get more green stuff in your diet
The Potential To Decrease Inflammation
Inflammation is an important part of the body’s immune system. It works to protect your health from a variety of hazards. However, inflammation can also occur when no foreign body is present. When inflammation occurs without catalyst, there is a risk of chronic inflammation associated with certain chronic diseases.
To control this inflammatory process, we should include anti-inflammatory foods in our diet. And some of the best ingredients for fighting inflammation? You guessed it; green vegetables and their associated supplementary powders.
Key Ingredients Of Greens Powders
The most popular supplement brands have their own formula for superfood powder. Although the composition of greens powders varies from brand to brand, a large part of these supplements uses leafy greens, seaweeds, cruciferous vegetables, various grasses, mushrooms, plant-based digestive enzymes, green tea extract, and chia seeds.
How To Take Greens Powders
The most classic way to consume greens powder (as a supplement, not a replacement, to a balanced diet) is to shake the powder of your choice with water, milk, or juice to create a smoothie. You could also consider adding the powder to your omelet, sprinkle it on vegetables and salads, or add it to soups, though the taste isn’t always ideal.
The Bottom Line
Green vegetable powders are supplements made using vegetables, seaweed, probiotics, stomach-related compounds, and various fruits with antioxidant properties. The nutrients present in these powers are designed not only to promote healthy digestion but also to provide a nutritional supplement to your diet.
Although green vegetable powders provide us with supplementary vitamins and minerals, they should never be used to replace fresh vegetables in a balanced healthy diet.
*This article is not intended to replace dietary, nutritional or medical advice, diagnosis or treatment given by a qualified professional. Instead, this article only provides information, not advice. For any medical enquiries concerning your diet, always consult your GP or a qualified nutritionist first*