Seven Unique Greens Powder Benefits: Physical & Mental
You know that eating your veggies is super important, but you may not always be in the mood for an arugula salad, steamed spinach, or the countless other dishes that use greens.
Greens powders may be a way to increase your veggie intake without having to cook anything. And while they certainly don’t replace whole foods and their nutritional benefits, they’re still a great way to boost your nutrient intake.
Curious about the health benefits of consuming greens powder? Keep reading this guide from Sunwink to find out!
What Are Greens Powders?
Even though we should all get at least five servings of veggies per day, only about 10% of U.S. adults meet this recommendation. This could be because some people don’t like the taste of vegetables, while others simply don’t have time to prepare meals.
Well, greens powders — which are made from a variety of fresh green vegetables — can help bridge the gap.
Green Superfood powders can be made in two different ways. The first is by dehydrating a combination of veggies, fruits, and herbs. The final products are then crushed into a powder form, which is how they’re packaged and sold.
Another way to make a greens powder is from freshly-squeezed juice. Extracted juice from fruits and veggies can then be dried and turned into a powder. This is the preferred method for some because juice tends to taste sweeter — and, for many, better.
So, what’s in a greens powder?
Well, the exact ingredients vary by brand, but you can expect to find any of the following super greens and other healthful ingredients in a powder:
- Spinach
- Kale
- Collard greens
- Wheatgrass
- Barley grass
- Moringa
- Chlorella
- Spirulina
Of course, the more ingredients that are listed on the label, the better. Since each plant contains a unique combination of nutrients, you can only benefit from adding more of them to your wellness routine.
What Are the Benefits of Greens Powders?
With the increasing number of greens powders on the market, more researchers are looking to examine the benefits of these products. Are they all hype, or can they really supercharge your wellness?
For the most part, studies tend to show that it’s the latter.
That’s because greens powders — just like whole plants — are nutrient-dense, which means they are full of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and antioxidants. These nutrients are known to support anything from heart health to cognitive function to glowing skin and shiny hair.
So, it should come as no surprise that researchers found at least seven benefits to drinking greens powders.
Here’s a breakdown of the most important ones:
1. Increase Your Diet’s Nutrient Density
Vegetables are one of the richest sources of nutrients on the planet. But unless you’re getting at least five daily servings — in all colors of the rainbow — you’re probably not getting all the nutrients you need.
Each scoop of a greens powder contains multiple servings of veggies. Some may even have the added benefits of fruit, roots, herbs, and other Superfoods.
Because greens powders are super concentrated, you only need one serving per day to increase your intake of vitamins and minerals.
And it won’t take long to see (and feel) the difference. One study found just eight weeks of taking greens powder may support healthy blood levels of vitamin E, vitamin C, lycopene, and beta carotene.
2. Support Your Body’s Natural Detoxification
Okay, so technically, your body detoxes on its own thanks to organs like the liver, kidneys, and skin. But that doesn’t mean it can’t use some help.
Greens powders can support your body’s detox processes by providing it with certain essential nutrients.
For instance, spirulina (which you can find in our Detox Greens Superfood Powder) may bind to heavy metals and contaminants in the body. While your body already clears out metals on its own, spirulina may support the process.
Another popular detox Superfood includes cruciferous vegetables. Think broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, amongst many others in the Brassica family. These veggies — which help the liver make more enzymes — can support your body in clearing out “waste” for improved detoxification.
Because green powders can support your body’s natural detox process, they can also support your immune system. This is also because greens can help support your digestive system with digestive enzymes, which have the positive side effect of supporting immune function.
Additionally, some green vegetables have antioxidant properties, which means they can support your body’s defenses against free radicals.
3. Balance Blood Sugar Levels
When it comes to how you look and feel, blood sugar levels are very important. If your blood sugar goes from high to low very quickly, you could find yourself tired, dizzy, and hungry — the perfect recipe for overeating (or worse).
One way to keep blood sugar stable is to avoid refined carbohydrates like bread, pasta, and all kinds of desserts. But here’s a hack: Mixing a treat with greens powder can also support healthy blood sugar levels.
One study found that simply adding greens powder to a high-carb meal could support healthy levels of blood sugar during spikes.
Although nothing can replace a healthy diet, a greens powder can counteract some of the effects of having the occasional treat.
4. Support Energy and Cognitive Function
Green veggies are chock-full of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, some of which can support brain health.
For instance, broccoli contains high amounts of vitamin C. This popular antioxidant can help your body stave off oxidative stress, a major cause of early cognitive decline.
Green vegetables also contain folate, lutein, vitamin K, and beta-carotene — other nutrients that have been shown to support brain power and energy levels.
5. Support Heart Health
Adding some greens to your day may keep your heart healthy by supporting healthy blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
Some veggies and green powders contain adaptogens like green tea extract. Adaptogens are nutrients that help your body maintain homeostasis and soothe feelings of stress, which can negatively affect your health if left unaddressed.
6. Support pH Balance
A typical Western diet is full of processed foods, which can decrease your body’s pH levels and create a more acidic environment. This can lead to all kinds of problems, including heartburn and its more serious complications.
Well, greens powders can help here, as well. One study found that a veggie powder supplement may help neutralize stomach acids, thus supporting optimal pH levels, a healthy gut microbiome, and better overall wellness.
Who Should Take a Greens Powder?
In general, anyone looking to optimize their health and wellness can benefit from a greens powder. But there are some people who can especially benefit from an extra few servings of greens.
Here’s who should definitely consider adding a greens powder to their routine:
- Those who don’t like vegetables: Getting at least five servings of veggies is super important, but if you don’t like their taste, this may not be the easiest thing. While greens powders aren’t exactly an alternative to eating whole veggies, they can go a long way in making up for missing nutrients.
Because they’re often made with other yummy ingredients, you might even enjoy their taste and — dare we say — look forward to your daily fix.
- Those who are often on the go: If you travel often or spend lots of time outside your home, getting your veggies can be super hard. After all, airports and gas stations aren’t known for their delicious salads.
Fortunately, a greens powder can once again be used here to make up for the gap between the veggies you should be eating and the ones you actually get.
- Those with decreased absorption: Some people don’t absorb nutrients as well.
Even if you’re following the guidelines for your veggie intake, you may not be getting all the vitamins and nutrients you need. If you don’t want to gorge on vegetables, a simple serving (or two) of greens powder may help fill the gaps — just be sure to consult your healthcare provider first.
- Someathletes: For those getting high-intensity exercise on the regular, standard recommendations for produce consumption may not be enough. That’s because intense exercise may deplete vitamin, mineral, and antioxidant stores.
If you’re a competitive athlete, you can protect yourself from a nutrient deficiency with a high-quality greens powder.
What Makes Sunwink Detox Greens Superfood Powder Different?
There are tons of greens powders on the market, making it hard to settle on the right one for you.
While there are certainly differences between them, most greens powders contain some combination of leafy greens, sweet fruit, and Superfood herbs. Some greens powders may even sneak in supplements like probiotics and prebiotics.
So, which ingredients are actually effective, and why is our Detox Greens Superfood Powder the top choice?
Here’s what to look out for:
1. Leafy Greens
From the big world of vegetables, dark, leafy greens are probably the most important. They’re extremely high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants while being low in sugar, carbs, and calories.
For instance, just one cup of kale gives you all the vitamin A you need for the day. Many other greens have similar benefits.
So, the first ingredient you should look for should be dark, leafy greens.
Our Detox Greens Superfood Powder includes celery, spirulina, spinach, and wheat grass — and it’s equivalent to one serving of vegetables.
2. Other Fruits & Vegetables
While dark, leafy greens are the most nutritious, other plants may also come with huge benefits.
For instance, berries are known to have the highest antioxidant content in the entire plant world, helping to support your body’s natural defenses against oxidative stress. And beets contain high levels of nitric oxide, which can promote healthy circulation. Basically, name a plant and it’s sure to have many unique benefits!
And let’s face it, greens aren’t the most delicious. So, add-ins like pineapple juice and lemon juice, which you’ll find in our Detox Greens Superfood Powder, can be a great way to enhance the flavor of a greens powder.
3. Algae
You might have heard of algae like spirulina, chlorella, and kelp, but do you actually know what makes them so popular?
Well, first and foremost, they’re a rich source of iodine. The body doesn’t make iodine on its own, so we must get it from food. And it just so happens that marine plants are incredibly rich in iodine. Spirulina is a star ingredient in our Detox Greens Superfood Powder due to its ability to support natural detox and immunity.
4. Superfood Plants
While any highly-nutritious plant can be called a Superfood, there are some that don’t fall into the above categories. Ingredients like dandelion, turmeric, or ashwagandha are plants that have benefits you won’t find in other plants.
Our Detox Greens Superfood Powder features dandelion to help stimulate your body’s natural detoxification processes.
How Do You Take Greens Powder?
Some greens powders are delicious. Here at Sunwink, our Detox Greens Superfood Powder is made with pineapple, so every serving will have a yummy fruity flavor. Others, not so much.
To make your greens powder taste better, we recommend adding it to a smoothie. You can experiment with any of your favorite smoothie recipes, although we’re big fans of a simple blend of blueberries and bananas.
But drinking your greens isn’t the only option. You can also add greens powder to your regular meals, like omelets, soup, or even baked goods!
Can a Greens Powder Replace Vegetables?
Unfortunately, a greens powder can’t entirely replace a healthy diet of vegetables — which, ideally, would include all colors of the rainbow. That’s because greens powders don’t contain much fiber, which is essential for a healthy gut.
For instance, one serving of greens powder typically contains 1-3 grams of fiber. On the other hand, a cup of fresh veggies — such as broccoli — may have as much as four grams of fiber. So, it should be clear why fresh produce is so important.
But just because you eat lots of veggies doesn’t mean you get all the nutrients you need. Because of depleted soils, transportation of food, and the use of chemicals, it may be hard to get all the vitamins and minerals you need from food alone. If you’re having a hard time getting all of your nutrients, a doctor, nutritionist, or dietitian can help you adapt your diet.
Greens powders can be the “insurance” you need to bridge the gap between what you’re getting and what you should be getting.
The best approach is to combine a plant-rich diet with a greens powder. As long as you’re including plenty of nutrient-rich foods in your meals, a greens powder can only benefit you.
The Bottom Line
Getting your veggies is super important, but that doesn’t make it easy. If you’re not a fan of vegetables — or can’t eat them for other reasons — then a greens powder is a must to make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need.
When choosing a greens powder, look for one made with various Superfood ingredients. Our Detox Greens Superfood Powder contains a blend of celery, dandelion, spirulina, and more — so you get nourished from head to toe.
Sources:
Adults Meeting Fruit and Vegetable Intake Recommendations — United States, 2019 | PMC
Foods linked to better brainpower | Harvard Health
