I have experienced the benefits of green superfood powders first hand. In this post, I want to share a few things I have learned with you.
Are Green Powders a Waste of Money?
This is not a simple yes or no answer question as you can imagine. There are many variables that will impact whether a green powder is a waste of money or not. Greens and vegetables provide a wide array of vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. However, the way your green powder was processed has everything to do with how much of these nutrients you actually get. Your energy level could be an excellent way to determine if your green powder is a waste of money. Prices range from 0.50 cents to around two dollars per serving. You typically get what you pay for, but experiment and see what works for you. If you feel great and more energetic, you know your body is receiving what it needs.
How to Pick the Best Green Powder
Besides the way the greens and vegetables were processed, you need to look at the ingredients closely:
- Are they certified organic?
- Are they bioavailable? For example, cracked-cell wall chlorella is more bioavailable than just chlorella.
- What does the nutritional information say? When you are comparing brands, you can look at the proportion of essential vitamins and minerals they provide.
- What kind of sweetener is used? Favor stevia and powdered vegetables (like beets and carrots) over other forms of sugar.
- Are there any fillers? If you see any ingredient that is not food-based, beware!
What Is In Your Green Superfood Powder?
Ingredients will vary wildly from one brand to another, but these are the foods you will commonly find in green powders:
- Leafy greens
- Sea vegetables
- Grains
- Fiber
- Prebiotic
- Probiotic
- Grasses
- Garden vegetables
- Mushrooms
Benefits of Green Superfood Powders
When you have the right green superfood powder, you will benefit from using it in many ways. Here are my top 11 benefits of green superfood powders.
1- More Energy
The abundance of minerals and vitamins in green powders will boost your energy. Fatigue is often caused by nutritional deficiencies and inflammation. Green superfood powders help with both. For me, improved energy was the main benefit I experienced within two weeks. To learn more about how to improve your energy naturally read The Top 7 Most Effective Supplements to Boost Your Energy Naturally.
2- Healthy Blood Glucose and Cholesterol Level
Many green superfood powders include some forms of fiber, which have the benefit of stabilizing your blood sugar level and supporting a healthy cholesterol level. Wheatgrass juice powder is a common ingredient included in green powders that has been shown to help people with diabetes by lowering the glycemic index of foods.
Spirulina, on the other hand, is a green food that lowers cholesterol naturally. Spirulina is not technically algae, although it is often called blue-green algae. It has been used throughout history for its medicinal value. It is rich in vitamins, minerals, and essential fatty acids. Several studies have shown that spirulina lowers cholesterol naturally.
3- Improved Immune Function
Ingredients such as spirulina and grasses like wheatgrass will support your immune function which means fewer sicknesses and shorter time to recover. Moreover, if like me, you suffer from allergies, you will notice that they will improve with consistent use. I read an article by Wellness Mama that stated that wheatgrass has gluten if it was more than 11 days old when cultivated and that unless you can determine for sure how old the wheatgrass is, you should stay away. I am extremely gluten sensitive and did not know that. Fortunately, I haven’t felt any symptoms from my green superfood powder.
4- Better Endurance and Muscle Strenght
Spirulina is an ultimate superfood. In two studies, it enhanced endurance. If your greens powder contains grains or sprouted grains, they will also contribute to increased performance during your workouts. Chia seed, quinoa, oats, rice, and carrots are examples of foods that boost your performance.
5- Weight Loss
Ingredients that support healthy glucose levels will aid weight loss by reducing your cravings. Chlorophyll may help with weight loss as well. A study found that people who took chlorophyll daily lost more weight than those who didn’t. Moreover, if your greens powder includes fiber, it will help you stay full longer. Fiber is a powerful appetite suppressant. Mine comes in the form of ancient grains, chia seeds, and rice bran solubles.
6- Cell Repair and Regeneration
One of the benefits of green superfood powders is that they provide your body with antioxidants. Antioxidants have been known for their anti-aging properties.
7- Better Hair, Nails, and Skin
Alfafa leaf juice stimulates the rebuilding of your tissues and gives your thicker hair, stronger nails, and glowing skin. Alfafa is rich in vitamins A, C, E, and K, which all support healthy hair, nails, and skin. The link between nutrition and hair loss is well documented. Moreover, the high levels of antioxidants in alfalfa helps fight the environmental factors that cause premature aging.
8- Improved Gut Health
The fiber and the phytonutrients in your green superfood powder will improve your gut health. I have talked about the importance of gut health many times before. Your gut health impacts everything from your mood to your weight and your sleep. More than 40 diseases have been linked to bacterial imbalance including depression, arthritis, IBS, and cancer. You can improve your gut health through diet and natural supplements. To learn more about what you can do, read about the Top 5 Supplements for Gut Health.
9- Better Sleep
We often hear about the benefits of the beta-carotene found in carrots, but a study correlated the intake of alpha-carotene with deeper sleep.
10- Better Digestion
Greens improve your gut health. They usually contain some forms of prebiotic and sometimes even probiotics. Furthermore, phytonutrients nourish your gut bacteria. For more information on how to improve your gut health, read The Top 5 Most Effective Supplements for Gut Health.
11- Cancer and Chronic Disease Prevention
The anti-inflammatory compounds in green powders may reduce your risk of cancer and chronic disease. Cancer and chronic disease are the results of inflammation. Moreover, in one study, participants who took two tablespoons of green powders daily reduced oxidative damage by 30% by increasing the presence of antioxidants. Oxidative damage occurs when there is an imbalance between free radicals and antioxidants. Green leafy greens may be one of the best foods to consume for cancer prevention. Wheatgrass may help protect against a cancer-causing free radical called malondialdehyde.
Best Time to Take Green Superfood Powders
The best time to take your green powder is anytime you will take it. For you to truly benefit from your green superfood powder, it’s best to take it daily. It is often recommended that you take it on an empty stomach like first thing in the morning or between meals. However, it doesn’t really make a difference. Your body will receive the nutrients and thank you.
The Green Superfood Powder I Use
I used many greens powders over the course of my life. Never did I notice many benefits. Until I tried the Power Shake, that is. The Power Shake contains all the superfoods that I mentioned above. They are organic and dehydrated at a temperature of 80F to keep as much of the nutrition as possible. To learn more, read this Product Fact Sheet or Contact Me.
To experience all the benefits of green superfood powders, you need to pick a high-quality powder and take it every day. It’s worth it! Your health is an investment you will not regret.
Green Superfood Powder Smoothie Recipes
In this video, I share 3 recipes I love to make with my green superfood powder.