Most people don’t have enough vegetable intake in their diets. That is why they take green superfood powders. These powders are dietary supplements created to help you get the daily recommended vegetable intake you need. Plus, it claims to support your body’s energy levels, detoxification, immunity, and so many more- perfect for people who are into sports.
Knowing Green Superfood Powders
As mentioned, green superfood powders are dietary supplements. They are usually mixed into your drinking water or other types of liquids like juices and smoothies. Moreover, they tend to have a green hue and can taste grassy. Because of this, most people use natural sugar substitutes to improve the flavor of green superfood powders.
This dietary supplement typically has 25 or more different ingredients incorporated in it, which tend to depend on what brand. The following are some common ingredients you might find in some of the best green superfood powders in the market:
- Leafy greens: kale, spinach, parsley, collards
- Grasses: wheatgrass, barley grass, alfalfa grass, oat grass
- Seaweed: dulse, kelp, chlorella, spirulina
- Nutritional extracts: grape seed extract, green tea extract, ginkgo Biloba
- High-antioxidant fruits: acai berries, goji berries, raspberries, blueberries
- Probiotics: L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium lactis
- Other vegetables: beets, broccoli, green cabbage, tomatoes, carrots
- Herbs: milk thistle, holy basil, echinacea, astragalus
- Extra fiber: apple fiber, rice bran, inulin
- Mushrooms: shiitake mushroom extracts, maitake mushroom extracts
- Plant-based digestive enzymes
- Natural sugar substitutes: monk fruit extract, stevia leaf extract
The sample ingredients listed above are usually dried then grounded until it becomes powder. Furthermore, other ingredients might also be juiced and then dehydrated.
Some companies selling green superfood powders use the new trend of turning the produce into a great dietary supplement. The trend is to ferment or sprout the produce, increasing the ingredients’ vitamin levels. Not only that, but it also helps in breaking down the compounds in the products that can hinder mineral absorption.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition content of a green superfood powder tends to vary by brand. However, below is what one tablespoon of this dietary supplement contains on average:
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Calories: 45
- Protein: 3g
- Vitamin A: 60% of your daily value
- Iron: 18% of your daily value
This dietary supplement can also be a good source of the following:
- Calcium
- Potassium
- Iodine
- Chromium
- Selenium
- Vitamin C
Green Superfood Powders: Potential Health Benefits
As mentioned earlier, green superfood powders are usually made from dried fruits and vegetables. If you lack the daily required fruits and vegetable intake in your diet, this type of supplement can help you out. However, it is vital to note that taking green superfood powders still needs to be paired with a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle in order to get the best results.
Even if you love sports or not, below are some potential health benefits you can get from consuming green superfood powders:
Improved Energy Levels
Several green superfood powders claim to help improve your energy levels. Yet, they tend to be low in calories, which means that they don’t supply that much energy.
On the bright side, this dietary supplement contains several compounds that can help you feel more energetic and alert. An example of this ingredient is green tea extract. It usually contains some caffeine as well as plant compounds that are great at burning calories.
Healthy Blood Pressure
Minerals such as potassium and calcium found in green superfood powders are usually linked to good blood pressure management. In fact, one study shows that those who took one daily serving of green superfood powders have experienced a decrease in their diastolic and systolic blood pressure.
Immune System Support
Green superfood powders usually have high levels of vitamins and minerals. These are typically associated with having a healthy immune system.
For example, selenium is usually incorporated in green superfood powders. This mineral is proven to help your immune system fight off infection.
Chronic Disease Prevention
Green superfood powders contain several vitamins that can help lower your risk of having chronic diseases in the long term. Vitamin K and C, for example, are potent antioxidants. In addition, they attack cell-damaging free radicals.
The cell damage mentioned above is also known as oxidation. It is associated with the development of several chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes.
Eye and Cognitive Health
Leafy greens contain vitamin K. This vitamin is linked to many health benefits. This includes lessening the risks of heart problems, maintaining healthy blood vessels, and preventing bone loss connected to aging.
In A Nutshell
Green superfood powders are dietary supplements that people usually take to stay healthy. It carries several potential benefits, which include providing you with an energy boost. However, it is vital to note that green superfood powders are supplements. Taking them while maintaining a balanced diet and exercise is recommended.
Main Photo by Elias Morr.
About the Author/s
The New Jersey Digest is a new jersey magazine that has chronicled daily life in the Garden State for over 10 years.
