Important Benefits of Drinking Healthy Smoothies

Ahh, smoothies… How could you go wrong blending fresh, tasty, healthy ingredients down into a delicious drink? We all know smoothies are a yummy and convenient option – but the popularity of smoothies as a health food choice has also grown in the past couple of years.

So what are the actual benefits of drinking healthy smoothies? From helping with weight loss to boosting brainpower, here are 23 reasons why you should be drinking a healthy smoothie today!

RELATED: 8 Things You Should Never Add to Your Smoothie

Helps You Lose Weight

Healthy smoothies just may be the secret to losing weight – and keeping it off. Raw fruits and vegetables are the cornerstones of any diet, and this is where smoothies deliver. Try green smoothies made with at least 50% veggies to keep calories low and flavor high. You can really amp up your green smoothie by mixing in a dash of matcha green tea powder for some extra pizazz.

Prevents Dehydration

Sipping on a smoothie is a great way to stave away dehydration. Not only will the liquid component of your smoothie keep you hydrated, but the electrolytes found in many fruits and veg will also help keep your body in balance. For the best benefits, reach for a smoothie made with coconut water, unsweetened almond milk, or watermelon.

Makes You Feel Full

Do you feel peckish between meals?Next time you feel a snack attack coming on, reach for a healthy smoothie instead. Smoothies are loaded full of fiber and roughage which will help keep hunger pangs at bay. A smoothie recipe high in protein, such as with added nut butter or protein powder will also help keep tummies from rumbling.

Controls Cravings

Have a sweet tooth that just won’t quit? Find yourself daydreaming about dangerous deserts? Next time you find yourself tempted by unhealthy snacks or sweets, try fruit smoothies instead. Fruit smoothies will provide you with a healthy energy hit to help you control cravings and stay on track. If you want something even more indulgent – try a chocolate peanut butter smoothie, made with coconut milk cocoa powder, frozen banana, protein powder, and peanut butter.

Aid In Digestion

Have troubles with your tummy? A healthy smoothie can do wonders for your digestive system. Because they are made with whole produce, smoothies contain a bunch of fiber- one of the most important players in digestive health. Smoothies have the added benefit of being delivered to your tummy in a liquid state – this means that your body won’t have to break it down and it will take less effort to digest. Start your day on the right foot with a healthy breakfast smoothie made with all sorts of fresh and frozen fruit and veggies.

Source of Antioxidants

Looking for an antioxidant boost? Many popular smoothie recipes are full of natural antioxidants like Vitamins A to help you in the fight against free radicals. Load up your smoothie with berries, kiwis, and spinach. You can even amp things up by adding an antioxidant booster such as raw cocoa powder or kale.

Enhances Immunity

Fruit and vegetables are natural immunity boosters, especially those high in essential nutrients like Vitamins A and C. A healthy smoothie recipe that contains potent produce such as citrus fruits, strawberries, and pineapple will give your immune system a helping hand this cold and flu season.

Curbs Sleep Disorders

Is your circadian rhythm out of whack? Can’t manage 40 winks? If you are struggling to sleep at night, you may be lacking melatonin from your diet. Melatonin is a hormone that regulates the sleep-wake cycle. It is commonly found in ingredients such as nut butter, kiwi fruit, and milk. A smoothie rich in an ingredient like these may be just the thing you need to restore balance to your body so you can catch up on that well-deserved beauty sleep.

Improves Skin

Regardless of your skin tone, who isn’t looking for a gorgeous glow? The pigmentation in colorful fruits and vegetables has been proven to provide skin with a natural radiance. Try a strawberry banana smoothie or pineapple smoothie loaded full of colorful fruit and veg and see the difference for yourself!

Provides Liquid Food Benefits

There are many reasons why you may want to consider liquid foods. Whether you are on a liquid food diet, recovering from surgery, or having other illnesses, a healthy smoothie will help you flush out your body – while still providing you with all the essential nutrients that you need.

Detoxifies the Body

Looking to detoxify the body and clean your system? A healthy smoothie, particularly plant-based or green smoothies will work wonders by cleaning your body from the inside out. Grab a smoothie containing ingredients noted for their detoxification properties, such as spirulina or wheatgrass.

Boosts Brain Power

Fighting against brain fog? Just can’t concentrate? Antioxidants and natural sugars found in fruits such as pomegranates and blueberries are marvelous for sharpening mental focus. High in special kinds of antioxidants (called anthocyanins), these fruits have even been proposed as combaters against neurodegenerative disorders like Alzheimer’s and dementia. Blend up a healthy brain power smoothie next time you can’t concentrate and leave the brain fog behind.

Controls Mood Swings

Mood swings can get the better of the best of us. To control mood swings naturally, a balanced lifestyle is key. Healthy changes, such as avoiding caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol – as well as getting enough exercise are crucial for avoiding fluctuations in your mood. 
Avoid the baddies and try switching your morning coffee or afternoon soda for a healthy smoothie. Not only will you be reducing your consumption of added sugars and caffeine, the natural vitamins and nutrients in your healthy smoothie will keep you balanced and your mood in check.

Fights Depression

We often overlook the link between a healthy diet and mental health. The vitamins, minerals, micro and macro nutrients found in fruit and vegetables play a vital role in not only physical health – but mental health too. 

If your diet is lacking in any of these essentials, your mental health may suffer as a result – which could lead to conditions such as depression and anxiety. Take care of yourself and add a daily smoothie into your diet to boost your mental balance.

Supplies Calcium

Not only vital for the formation of bones and teeth, calcium is also essential for proper muscle function. Both the solid and liquid components of a smoothie can be great providers of calcium. 
Get your daily dose of calcium by grabbing a healthy smoothie made using a nut-milk base, such as coconut milk or almond milk.

Checks the Growth of Carcinogens

Carcinogens are dangerous substances which promote the formation of cancer (carcinogenesis). Controlling your diet is one way to prevent cancer and keep carcinogens under control.

A healthy and balanced diet, rich in fruit and vegetables will help you to achieve this. Try getting more fruit and veg into your diet by way of a healthy smoothie and start slowing the growth of carcinogens.

Provides a Good Amount of Fiber

Unlike fresh fruit juices, smoothies are made by blending whole fruit and vegetables down to a liquid. This means that all the fiber from the whole fruits and vegetables is kept and delivered in the resulting drink. 
A Pure Green Smoothie will, for example, provide you with a whopping 7 grams of fiber in every serve.

Improves Bone Health

Are you worried about osteoporosis? An estimated 10 million Americans are currently living with osteoporosis, and another 40 million are considered at risk. Osteoporosis is a condition whereby bones become weak and brittle, and susceptible to breaks and fractures. 

Calcium, the building block of healthy bones, and Vitamin D, for calcium absorption are crucial for your bone health. While our bodies absorb most of their Vitamin D from sunlight, you can get your calcium hit from a smoothie loaded with potent ingredients such as almonds, chia seeds, kale and yogurt.

Prevents Heart Disorders

Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. Your diet is a major player in the fight against cardiovascular disease. To reduce your risk of stroke and hypertension, doctors recommend increasing your intake of fruit, vegetables, nuts and whole grains. Load a smoothie full of these natural foods to keep your diet heart-healthy.

Keeps Blood Sugar in Check

If you or a loved one are struggling with diabetes, or keeping your blood sugar in check, a smoothie may be the way to go. Ingredients with a Low Glycemic Index (Low GI for short) release sugar into the blood more slowly, and are therefore less likely to spike blood sugar levels. Popular smoothie ingredients with a Low GI include mangoes, oranges and plain yogurt.

Reduces Chances of Cancer

High-fat, low-fiber foods and drinks may increase your risk of developing cancer. Sugary drinks such as sodas and milkshakes can be hidden culprits.

These drinks are usually loaded full of hidden nasties, such as syrups, preservatives, colorants, added sugars, and artificial flavorings. Instead, opt for a fresh, healthy smoothie made by yourself at home or at your local juice bar. 

Because you know exactly what is going into these blends there is no room for hidden nasties to hide!

Balances Hormonal Functioning

Looking to balance your hormones, naturally? A healthy smoothie is a great start as it won’t contain any added sugar to throw off your hormones. Try one with avocado or other healthy fats such as almond or cashew butter. These will help balance hormonal functioning and keep you feeling centered.

Better Option Than Juice

Juice, particularly cold-pressed juice, can be a delicious and refreshing option. However, if you are looking for something with a bit more body there’s no walking past the smoothie section of your grocery store or juice bar. 

Smoothies have the added advantage of being endlessly customizable. You can personalize and perfect them to your taste, or choose one of our trusted superfood smoothie blends to try for yourself.  

So here you have it, 23 important ways that drinking a healthy smoothie can benefit you, and your body! Whether looking for overall body health or targeting something specific, a nutritious smoothie is sure to help you achieve your health goals. 

Want to know more? Stop by one of our Pure Green juice bar franchises and ask the friendly attendant which smoothie is right for you!