Want to incorporate a green powder in your diet?
Green powders are known to offer all the veggie nutrition we need for the day in just a couple of scoops! Sounds awesome, right?
And that’s not all - green powders offer several other amazing benefits, which we’ll talk about in this article.
Here’s what we’re going to cover:
- What are green powders?
- How are green powders made?
- 13+ essential green powder benefits
- How to pick the right green powder
Let’s get started!
What Are Green Powders?
Green powders are a supplement made of powdered veggies, fruits, and other plant-based ingredients.
Different green powders contain different types and amounts of ingredients depending on the brand. Typically, green powders contain between 20-75 ingredients.
Some of the most common ingredients include:
- Leafy greens: kale, spinach, and collards.
- Other veggies: carrots, broccoli, tomatoes, and cabbage.
- Antioxidant-rich berries: raspberries, blueberries, goji, and acai berries.
- Mushrooms: shiitake and maitake mushroom extracts.
- Seaweed: spirulina, chlorella, and kelp.
- Grasses: barley grass, alfalfa grass, and wheatgrass.
- Herbs: milk thistle, echinacea, and holy basil.
- Extracts: green tea extract, Ginkgo Biloba extract, and grape seed extract.
- Natural sugar substitutes: stevia and monk fruit extract.
- Extra fiber: inulin, apple fiber, and rice bran.
- Probiotics: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
- Digestive enzymes: cellulase, bromelain, and amylase.
As you can see, these supplements are packed with nutrients. Meaning, green powders can help you close any nutritional gaps in your diet. However, taking a green powder is not a cheat code to completely exclude vegetables from your diet. Don’t solely rely on them to provide you with all the daily nutrition you need.
Also, consuming too much green powder can give you an excessive amount of certain minerals and vitamins (like vitamin B and C). In this case, your body will not be able to properly absorb them and will eliminate the surplus nutrients.
However, an excess intake of vitamins A, D, E, and K isn’t so easy to flush out and you might build up a toxic amount of them in your body.
So, it’s important not to overdo it.
You can consume the daily recommended amount of green powder mixed with water, juice, tea, nut milk, or as a delicious green powder smoothie. Another way to incorporate green powders into your diet is by sprinkling them onto your meals, salads, and soups.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, let’s talk about how green powders are made.
Disclaimer: Some green powders are high in vitamin K and they might interact negatively with blood thinners. Other ingredients might interfere with your medications. To determine whether the green powder you choose is safe for you, always consult your doctor.
Do not take green powder supplements if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding.
How Are Green Powders Made?
Green powders are usually made by drying and crushing veggies and other ingredients into a powder.
Some manufacturers might first extract the vegetable juice, dry it, and turn it into powder. This high quality method gives the powder a slightly sweeter taste.
Drying whole vegetables and other plant-based ingredients or only their juice can happen in three ways:
- Air drying. With air drying, the ingredients are placed in a room with circulating hot air. This way, all their moisture evaporates and some of the nutrients are destroyed.
- Spray drying. By using spray drying, the fruits and veggies are “sprayed” with hot air. This action also destroys some enzymes and lowers their nutritional value.
- Freeze drying. With freeze drying, manufacturers remove the moisture by keeping the ingredients at very low temperatures. This action doesn’t damage the vegetable cells.
Freeze drying is the best technique because it preserves the nutrients in the most complete way. However, its high cost factor increases the price of the green powder.
13+ Essential Green Powder Benefits
Green powders offer a ton of nutritional benefits, as we’ll outline them below.
However, we should once again mention that getting your nutrients and vitamins just from green powders won’t produce your desired results.
To reap all the benefits, you should already have established healthy habits with your diet.
Even if you’re taking the most nutrient-dense green powder, poor sleep and diet will counteract your progress.
If you already follow a healthy lifestyle, though, green powders are definitely worth it.
So, the benefits of green powders are:
#1. Detox Your Body
Consuming green powders can detoxify your body and reduce the number of free radicals in your body.
As green powders contain active compounds like glutathione and metallothionein, that can protect your body from dangerous free radicals and remove them from your body.
It’s also known that a veggie-rich diet can make your urine pH more alkaline. The current belief from ongoing research is that a diet rich in vegetables can help your body get rid of more toxins.
#2. Prevent Chronic Diseases
Green powders contain ingredients like potassium and calcium which regulate your blood pressure levels. They can even lower very high blood pressure in people with hypertonia and other heart diseases.
Green powder supplements with extra fiber can also balance your blood sugar and cholesterol level.
#3. Improve Digestion
If your green powder contains fiber and probiotics, you’ll notice an improvement in your gut health.
Digestive enzymes also reduce bloating and other digestive discomforts.
Gut bacteria imbalances are a source of many diseases like irritable bowel syndrome, obesity, allergies, and even diabetes. By improving your digestive system you improve the balance and prevent the occurrence of such diseases.
#4. Improve Sleep
Green powder ingredients like kale, carrots, mushrooms, and tomatoes can improve your sleep quality.
For example, kale contains vitamin B6, magnesium, and potassium which aid better sleep.
Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene which also benefits your sleep and improves bone health.
Carrots, on the other hand, contain alpha-carotene which can help you fall asleep more easily. And mushrooms like shiitake and maitake are a good source of selenium, vitamin D, and potassium.
#5. Lose Weight
Even though green powders are not directly related to weight loss, they can help reach your weight reduction goals.
Green powder ingredients like chlorophyll suppress your appetite and reduce your food cravings.
You also might notice you want to eat smaller portions. This change occurs because green powders provide multiple nutrients and satisfy your body with less food.
#6. Reduce Inflammation
If you deal with inflammation often, you might experience fatigue and pain. Inflammation can also unlock or worsen chronic diseases like obesity, diabetes, and cancer.
Green veggies and their powder form contain the active compounds polyphenols and phytonutrients that have anti-inflammatory effects on your body.
#7. Improve Skin, Hair, and Nail Health
Most green powders are rich in vitamins A, E, and C which support healthy skin, nails, and hair.
Taking them regularly makes your skin shinier and strengthens your hair and nails.
Additionally, your skin, hair, and nails are improved by ingredients like chlorella, chlorophyll, and wheatgrass.
#8. Improve Brain Function
Many active ingredients in leafy greens and other vegetables are directly related to slower age-related decline in brain function and can even reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.
Green powders can also improve your overall cognitive ability.
#9. Support Hormone Function
Green powders that contain cruciferous vegetables can balance your hormones and improve your estrogen metabolism.
When choosing your green powder look for powders that contain veggies like:
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Turnip
- Watercress
- Collard greens
#10. Reduce the Risk of Cancer
A veggie-rich diet promotes healthy cell division and reduces the risk of cancer.
Look for ingredients like cruciferous vegetables, green tea extract, maca, and antioxidant-rich berries. These ingredients are known to prevent cancer development.
Such ingredients have anti-cancer properties that lower the oxidative damage in your body.
#11. Increase Energy Levels
Some green powders contain green tea extract which can significantly boost your energy levels. It’s a great alternative for people looking for caffeine-free energy.
Also, the overall beneficial effect of the green powder ingredients in your body will naturally boost your endurance and energy throughout the day.
#12. Strengthen Your Immune System
Green powders are rich in nutrients, vitamins, and minerals which strengthen your immune system. In turn, you get sick less and recover faster.
Most green powders contain different amounts of:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Magnesium
- Selenium
- Manganese
- Potassium
- Iron
- Iodine
- Chromium
- Calcium
Choose a green powder containing up to 100% of the daily recommended intake of each vitamin.
#13. Get Additional Protein
Green powders with a high content of spirulina and maca can provide you with some protein too. Protein-rich green powders make you feel full for longer and give you a slight protein boost.
These benefits make them a good supplement if you don’t consume enough protein throughout the day or if you’re traveling and don’t have access to protein-rich foods.
#14. Treat Anemia
Chlorella, spirulina, dark leafy greens, and maca can help improve anemia.
People with anemia usually have iron deficiency and tire quickly. A green powder packed with iron-rich ingredients like leafy greens and mushrooms can help you feel better.
You can also look for a powder with green tea extract for an extra energy boost.
How to Pick The Right Green Powder?
Green powder prices vary from 22 to 99 cents per scoop (10 grams) depending on the processing technique used in their making and how many ingredients they include.
Buying a green powder is an investment in your health and you want to make sure you’re getting the best out of your purchase.
When choosing a green powder make sure the product is:
- With high quality ingredients
- Non-GMO and organic
- Naturally sweetened
Let’s take a closer look at each factor!
Ingredients
A high-quality green powder should have no added fillers and it will be preferably freeze-dried. This way, you get the most nutrient value from only carefully selected plant-based ingredients.
Also, fillers and other artificial ingredients might cause bloating.
[featured-product handle="get-your-greens"]Non-GMO and Organic
All veggies contain small traces of chemicals in them. When you make a concentrated green powder, the amount of chemicals also increases.
To ensure you’re not consuming a dangerous amount of chemicals like lead, arsenic, and cadmium in your body, choose a green powder with the least chemical content.
Such powders are usually tested and approved by third parties who examine their chemical levels.
Sweeteners
Always aim for a naturally sweetened green powder with stevia or monk leaf extract.
If the green powder includes ingredients like corn syrup, rice syrup, maltodextrin, or sucralose, just put the product down and search for another one.
Artificial sweeteners only increase your calorie intake and might result in bloating.
Try Get Your Greens - 100% Natural
Get Your Greens is a nutrient-dense green powder with 24 carefully selected high-quality ingredients.
The veggies, antioxidant fruits, probiotics, and healthy plant-based extracts promote proper digestion, a stronger immune system, and higher energy levels.
Also, all ingredients are 100% non-GMO and vegan. The green powder has no added sugars or artificial flavors.
Just a scoop per day sprinkled on your meal or mixed in a delicious smoothie will fill your diet’s nutrient gap and improve your health.
Ready to Pick Your Green Powder?
Green powders are a great supplement to your diet. They provide you with extra nutrients that you might not be able to get from your food. They’re also a good option if you’re on the go or on a long trip without access to fresh produce.
Now that you know the benefits of taking green powder supplements, all you have to do is pick one right for you and incorporate it into your diet!