My doctor kept telling me to drink green smoothies. I’ve always ignored it, as they don’t look really look too yummy or appealing. I would be lying if I said that there had ever been a time in my life when I saw one and craved it.
In fact, the whole idea of drinking vegetables seemed repulsive to me. It’s basically salad mixed in a cup. Salads have never looked delicious to me either for that matter. But I’ve recently changed my mind, and it was the best thing ever. Now I’m trying to get everyone on to this whole rollercoaster of green smoothies.
Personally, having a chronic illness was definitely a factor in changing my mind about green smoothies. I struggle with depression and have bad acne and a side effect of my medication is that it lowers my immune system, therefore, I’m always sick. If that wasn’t enough, I’ve recently switched my birth control pills and my hormones have been wild. At 22, I’ve been experiencing the worst acne breakout ever. At one point, I felt like I’d ran out of options and figured I had nothing to lose by trying green smoothies. I’m happy I did. My doctor was certainly right.. they really are the best. I can’t believe I’d been missing out on the amazing health benefits all my life! They taste so much better than I had thought they would. Some recipes are actually pretty delicious! Not to mention, the benefits are out of this world. Here’s a closer look at some of the effects, and benefits.
They Maintain You
Green smoothies contain fruits, veggies, antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. So, whether you’re sick or not, they’re great at keeping your body beautiful and healthy — on the inside and out. HINT: Weak immune system? No problem! Add to your smoothie ingredients such as citrus fruits, berries, ginger, acai and cacao for added benefits. You can always change ingredients depending on what vitamins you’re looking for.
They’re Great for your Mental Health
They’re a must if you struggle with mental health. They help ease the symptoms of depression which is impressive. Anything that can alleviate the symptoms is truly excellent. In fact, most people with depression don’t know they have a folic acid deficiency, which is true in my case. Here’s a breakdown if you’re not sure what that is. Folic Acid is a vitamin found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, meats, and dairy — it’s one of the many vitamins your body needs for good health basically. Of course, green smoothies naturally contain leafy greens — which contain loads of folic acid! It REALLY helps.
Glowing Skin Effects
Don’t even get me started on my skin. It looks so much better! I can’t stress this enough. The thing with acne breakouts is that it is not always an external problem with your pores. Sometimes, the problem (or solution) is internal. That’s when they come into play as they affect your body internally and promote good health, which then can clearly be seen from the outside — especially seen through your skin health and overall appearance. They’re actually remarkable for your hair and nails too. They contain vitamin E, vitamin C, fibres and antioxidants, which improve your complexion.
They Help with Natural Weight Loss
They help promote natural weight loss and increased nutrition, all while tasting delicious! I’ve gotten into the habit of replacing either breakfast or dinner with one instead. I had no idea the impact they would have on my nutrition. I’ve lowered my calorie intake while increasing my fruits and vegetable intake at the same time in a quick, simple, easy way. Before I knew it, my smoothies reset my taste buds to a point where I actually crave healthy food now. It’s so much more convenient and fulfilling than eating a whole salad, and you feel great afterwards. As much as I love green smoothies, it’s worth noting that too much of anything is not necessarily good for you. Not even water. That’s why even if you do fall in love with green smoothies as I have, you should still be careful. Don’t drink more than 2L a day. People with certain health conditions should consume green smoothies carefully.
If you’ve have diabetes for example watch out for the fruits. It may be healthy for you, but fruits will still alter your blood sugar levels — something to keep in mind when you’re making one. If you’re prone to kidney stones or fungal challenges, watch out for the greens. Leafy greens contain oxalates, which can cause stones (i.e., kidney, heart, brain) and more fungus. It’s not a common thing, but better safe than sorry.
As long as you use common sense and know what fruits or vegetables your body needs, green smoothies should change your life for the better. They can be beneficial for everyone! They nourish you, boost your immune system and clear your mind. They rejuvenate the body while also hydrating you and improving your digestion. So if you haven’t tried or made one yet, it’s never too late to start living a healthy lifestyle and making better choices — starting with what you eat.
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