Greens & superfood supplements are an increasingly popular supplement that contains powdered fruits, vegetables, and herbs. They’re made to supplement your diet, not to replace fruits and veggies. The large majority of us don’t get enough servings of fruits and vegetables every day. Adding a superfood greens powder can help to support the nutrients that your body would normally get from those foods.
Why should I use a greens supplement?
Greens supplements provide micronutrients that your body gets from fruits and vegetables. Since you’re probably not eating a full dose of those foods daily, adding a greens powder helps to support antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals including calcium, iodine, selenium, chromium, potassium, and vitamin A and C.
The benefits of greens supplements are many. They include made natural antioxidants, electrolytes, and immune system support. Antioxidants are known to fight free radicals that speed up the cells aging process. Electrolytes help to replenish and rehydrate your body. Phytonutrients from greens help to support energy and red blood cell production.
What’s in a greens powder?
Common greens supplements include alfalfa, barley, grains, nuts, wheatgrass, herbs, vegetables, legumes, and seaweed. They often contain antioxidant-rich berries and fruits. Be sure to check the ingredients lists if you have allergies, as certain greens supplements include coconut or wheat (gluten). Certain brands offer organic and non-GMO options, and many are vegan.
Many greens powders add in detoxing ingredients, digestive support, and even probiotics. Check your supplement’s nutritional label to see what’s in your specific brand. Detoxing can come from ginger, goji berry, acai, and turmeric. Digestion support can come from probiotics, flax, licorice, chia, lemongrass, and peppermint which can help to soothe the stomach and GI system. Anthocyanin can support memory, focus, and brain function.
Can I use a greens powder instead of a multivitamin?
Note that a greens supplement is most likely not a replacement for a multivitamin. You can take a look at the nutrition label to see if that the greens powder provides the same vitamins and minerals with comparable amounts. However, many of these greens powders have “matrix” or “blend” listed on the packaging that hides the exact amounts of each vitamin and mineral. In that case, be sure to continue taking your multivitamin.
They are also not a replacement for whole veggies and fruits. True fruits and vegetables are higher in fiber and help promote a sense of fullness. They contain higher amounts of vitamins and minerals, as the process to powder the greens supplements reduces the effective amounts.
When should I take a greens supplement?
This supplement can be added into your diet at any time of the day, but they’re often added to morning smoothies for a delicious green start to your day. There is limited research that suggest that antioxidants directly after working out can limit muscle building, but there are plenty of other times to incorporate these healthy greens into your day.
Heather Rider
