Top Super Greens and Benefits of Super Greens Powder
Super greens are great for your overall health, but as with any new additions to your diet, you want to know exactly what you are consuming. Whether you choose to eat them as part of a balanced meal, consume them in the form of a supplement, or as an organic super greens powder, the super greens listed below offer some astonishing health benefits.
We have put together a detailed list of our favorite super greens, their health benefits, and how you can eat or drink them.
Chlorella
What Is It?
Chlorella is a type of green algae. It grows in freshwater and is rich in protein. Chlorella is a source of omega-3 fatty acids, minerals, and vitamins. Research studies have found that Chlorella is beneficial to human health in many ways.
The Benefits of Chlorella
One of the key benefits of Chlorella is that it facilitates detox. While not everyone will have high levels of heavy metal in their system, detoxing is important as heavy metals are in the foods, water, and the air we breathe. This pollution can build toxic levels in our bodies. When this buildup occurs, it can become a serious health concern. So, taking Chlorella regularly can help your body to cleanse itself of toxicity.
Additionally, a recent study has shown that Chlorella can support a healthy immune system, which is your body’s primary defense for fighting off diseases and infections.
Not only that, but Chlorella may also protect you from diabetes and help fight off chronic disease, thanks to its antioxidant properties. In fact, studies have shown that Chlorella may help to reduce the symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes, a common chronic health condition that is often accompanied by high blood pressure. An additional small study found that taking Chlorella supplements led to a reduction in blood sugar levels, suggesting that Chlorella may help protect you against developing type 2 diabetes.
How to Consume Chlorella
As with many supergreens, Chlorella is available in both tablet and powder form. Because Chlorella has a bitter seaweed taste, you may wish to mask the taste, by mixing it with fresh or frozen fruits in a smoothie. Or, you may even find that you enjoy it in pasta sauces and salad dressings.
Kale
What Is It?
Kale is one of the most popular greens in the United States. In fact, it has become a popular household staple in many American homes, largely because of its health benefits.
The Benefits of Kale
One of the key benefits of kale is its ability to help fight inflammation. Inflammation is a normal response and our body’s way to protecting us against illnesses and injuries. In healthy inflammation, once the health issue has resolved, the inflammation should too. However, inflammation can turn into chronic inflammation, that when unresolved, can damage our cells. This is the case in many common illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and arthritis.
Kale contains a variety of anti-inflammatory compounds. Including vitamin K, flavonoids, and even some omega-3 fatty acids. Therefore, consuming kale may help to protect against chronic inflammation.
Another surprising health benefit of kale is that it is great for eye health. Kale is rich in lutein and zeaxanthin. Both of which are important nutrients that can be found in various green leafy vegetables. Lutein and zeaxanthin can help reduce the risk of eye disease and age-related cataracts while also protecting the eyes from harmful wavelengths of light.
Lastly, kale can also help to fight oxidative damage. Every day our cells naturally produce molecules called free radicals, which are known as reactive oxygen species and can cause oxidative damage to our cells. While our cells naturally produce free radicals, stress, pollution, and unhealthy foods can lead to the formation of additional free radicals. When free radicals cause damage, it can speed the process of aging by causing dull hair and sagging skin. Consuming kale can help keep your body healthy and support your appearance, mainly because it is rich in antioxidants, which fight off oxidative damage.
How to Consume Kale
Kale is an extremely versatile ingredient that you can eat raw, in a salad, or in a smoothie. You may even wish to make a supergreens smoothie that is packed with a variety of super greens. Two other tasty options are to add kale into risottos or to use the leaves to make kale chips.
Barley Grass
What Is It?
Most of us have eaten the grain barley. However, this is not to be confused with barley grass. Barley grass is the leaf of the plant and is jam-packed with nutrients, making it worthy of the title ‘super green’.
The Benefits of Barley Grass
Barley grass can actually help to support your digestive health. While some people are aware of their digestive health problems, such as individuals with inflammatory bowel disease, other people may not be. If you experience persistent symptoms such as bloating, acid reflux, or indigestion, this could be a sign of digestive health issues.
There have been several studies on the benefits of barley grass. Some have found that barley grass can help gut health. As a result, barley grass may help ease discomfort.
Furthermore, barley grass contains nutrients called saponarins, which may help protect the liver. One study found that saponarins protected the liver in rats against toxicity. Likely, these benefits are because of the antioxidant activity of saponarins.
Because barley grass extract has potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, it can also be used to manage rheumatoid arthritis and is sometimes used as a therapy for arthritis.
How to Consume Barley Grass
While you can drink barley grass juice on its own, you may also like to enjoy it in a supergreens smoothie. You can even add barley grass powder into juices, smoothies, or shakes.
Broccoli
What Is It?
Broccoli is one of the most popular dark green cruciferous vegetables, and while you may not have wanted to eat it as a young child, you most likely have consumed it throughout your life. Many studies have reports on the benefits that broccoli has for human health.
The Benefits of Broccoli
When we think about keeping our bones and teeth strong, the first thing that probably springs to mind is calcium. That is because calcium has a key role in bone health. Not only is broccoli a great source of calcium, but it also contains important vitamins too. Specifically, broccoli is a super green food that is a good source of vitamin K, which supports the growth of strong bones.
Broccoli is also known for helping to support digestive health. One study found that people who ate broccoli daily experienced benefits in the composition of their gut microbiome. The gut microbiome, which is ultimately a group of beneficial bacteria that live within our gut, plays a key role in the health and overall function of our digestive system. Broccoli helps keep our digestive tracts in check, as it is high in fiber, anti-inflammatory compounds, and antioxidants.
How to Consume Broccoli
Once again, very similar to kale, broccoli is a versatile ingredient for many dishes. Broccoli can be enjoyed as part of a meal or even eaten raw as a nutritious snack. You can even add broccoli in a delicious soup. Why not try making some a soup that is filled with a variety of super greens?
Oat Grass
What Is It?
Oat grass, which is also known as oat straw, comes from the grass that produces whole grain oats. Despite its origins, the health benefits derived from oat grass and whole grain oats are different.
The Benefits of Oat Grass
Oat grass gets a lot of attention from the health and wellbeing community due to its brain-boosting benefits. One study has found that a single dose of green oat extract can enhance brain activity. However, we are not yet fully aware of its long-term benefits.
Additional Research studies in animals have discovered that wild green oat extract can relieve stress in rats, which suggests that oat grass may help relieve stress in humans as well. While some more research is needed to confirm these findings, it is very promising.
How to Consume Oat Grass
As oat grass is not easily broken down or chewed, humans cannot eat oat grass as it is. To consume oat grass, you will need to juice it in a blender. Once you have blended that oat grass, pour the contents through a cheesecloth (or similar), and then enjoy it on its own or add it with other juices.
How to Find the Right Super Green for You
There is so much information available about which are the best super greens, which can make it difficult to know where to start. One idea is to perhaps consider which key benefits you would like to achieve. Once you have an idea of the super greens that you would like to consume, ease them into your daily regime. Whether you are consuming them through a super green supplement, powder, or in their raw form, please do not overdo it. Instead, moderately incorporate super greens into your diet in a way that works best for you.
You should not be scared to try out new recipes and experiment with super greens. But remember to always listen to what your body is trying to tell you. Listen to how your body reacts to super greens and adjust where necessary. For instance, you may find that a super green does not work for you. Therefore, switch it up and try out some new ones.
Super Greens Powder Benefits
There are plenty of reasons why you might be looking to add more super greens into your diet. Whether through supplements, powders, or raw vegetables, super greens can offer many health benefits. Super greens powders are perfect for anyone who has a busy lifestyle. For instance, rather than prepping super greens solids for every meal, you can simply drink them on the go by adding an organic super greens powder into a smoothie.
One common reason why people delve into the benefits of superfoods is to see if they can lose weight. However, this is more of a secondary benefit of super greens.
Overall, super greens powder weight loss benefits are still being looked at. One things that’s for sure is that super greens powder can play somewhat of a role in weight loss, as they can help you to meet your body’s nutritional needs while you are dieting.
The Takeaway
Super green food and organic super greens powder can offer amazing health benefits, including boosting your overall health and mental wellbeing. A combination of a increasing the amount of vegetable you eat, super greens, and the best super greens powders can support your overall health.
