Green powders are a supplement to help you reach your daily recommended allowance for vegetables. Many green powder manufacturers claim that they boost your immunity, energy levels and help you detox better. But are green powders a waste of money?
This article will help you figure out if they are.
When consuming green powders, you’re promised key minerals and phytonutrients and a way to overcome nutrition deficiencies. However, you can’t substitute green powders for vegetables.
Vegetables provide you with water, roughage, minerals, vitamins and phytonutrients. If you are using green powders, you should continue eating vegetables.
DO GREEN POWDERS DO ANYTHING?
Green powders are meant to be sprinkled over smoothies or taken as a beverage after being mixed with water or milk.
The manufacturers of green powders claim that they can help you reduce the risk of chronic disease and weight loss.
Green powders are made from 25-40 different plant-based ingredients. They include:
-Fruits and leaves rich in antioxidants such as blueberries, moringa and pineapple.
-Digestive enzymes such as burdock root powder.
-Green tea extracts such as matcha, cocoa bean polyphenol extract, grape seed extract.
-Alfalfa grass, wheatgrass, barley or oat grass.
-Kale, spinach and other leafy greens.
-Mushroom extract.
-Monk fruit extract, stevia and other sweeteners.
-Broccoli, cabbage and other cruciferous veggies.
-Carrots.
-Prebiotics.
-Fiber.
-Probiotics.
-Spirulina, kelp and other seaweed.
Research shows that green powder manufacturers ferment ingredients that increase vitamin levels and break down compounds that interfere with mineral absorption.
With all these ingredients, you can still ask are green powders a waste of money?
Here are some green powder benefits:
1. MAINTAIN A BALANCED DIET
The nutrients and compounds in green powders can help support a healthy diet.
2. MANAGE IMMUNE FUNCTION
Studies show that green powders are rich in vitamins A and C, which supports your immunity.
Research shows that probiotics in green powders help with immune function and assist digestive health.
3. REDUCE RISK OF INFECTIONS
Studies suggest that green powders can help reduce the risk of chronic infection. In the study, 10 people took 10g of green powder daily for four weeks. The results showed that taking green powder over this period reduced blood levels of damaged proteins by 30%.
Reducing damage to blood proteins helps lower the risk of cancer.
4. HELP MANAGE BLOOD PRESSURE
Minerals such as calcium and potassium are linked to good blood pressure management. Green powders with these minerals can help manage hypertension.
In a study, 40 people with high blood pressure added 10g of green powder to their daily nutritional intake over 90 days. Results found that green powder reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure by 8%.
5. BOOST ENERGY LEVELS
Some green powders can boost energy levels. Research shows that green powders that contain green tea extract, caffeine and other plant compounds can help burn calories and boost your alertness.
In a three-month study, 63 healthy women were divided into two groups. One group took placebos while the other added 10g of green powder with green tea extract. The group that added green powder displayed higher levels of energy compared to the placebo group.
6. HELP WITH DETOXING
Studies show consuming green powders helps with detoxification.
However, more research is needed to confirm the full role that green powders play in detoxification. It’s also unknown whether green powders without green tea extract can help with boosting energy levels.
It’s also important to note that most of the studies observing the benefits of green powders are paid for by green powder manufacturers.
WHAT IS THE BEST GREEN POWDER TO BUY?
To get the best results from the green powders, make sure you follow the instructions on the green powder you purchase. You may still ask are green powders a waste of money? And more so, which is the best green powder to buy?
You can also add the green powder to scrambled eggs, sprinkle over vegetables, mix into homemade salad dressing or add them to the soup.
Choosing a green powder should be determined by your needs. Are you travelling and will be unable to get enough veggie intake on your trip? You can get a green powder with overall benefits.
Most experts suggest a brand known as “Athletic Greens’ Ultimate Daily”.
You can also choose different brands based on protein content, vitamin/mineral content, antioxidants. Look at the ingredients label to see how many grams of each nutrient is in the product.
You can also choose different green powder brands based on your needs. There are brands designed to help with digestion, green powders for weight loss or stress relief.
The ingredients can let you know which brand would suit you best.
However, if you’d like to choose based on taste, Barbend suggests Athletic Greens’ Ultimate Daily.
ARE SUPERFOOD POWDERS GOOD FOR YOU?
As we’ve said before, green powders have some nutritional benefits that still need more research. However, they can be used as a substitute for real food.
According to GQ, green powders are like mega multi-vitamins. You should only consume them as a supplement to your usual diet.
The best way to get your nutritional intake is to consume various complex carbs, whole grains, fruits, vegetables, legumes, seeds, nuts and lean meats. Knowing this are green powders a waste of money?
Green powders are also recommended for you if you have a very active lifestyle. For instance, if you’re an athlete on the go. You can also use them if you’ll be travelling and can’t find fresh fruit and vegetables.
They can also come in handy if you have a busy lifestyle, such as being a parent. You can also add them to your meals if you are intermittent fasting or on a keto diet to ensure you cover any nutritional gaps.
Green powders may also not be good for you. Like every product, they have drawbacks and potentially cause negative reactions.
Here are green superfood powder disadvantages and side effects:
1. LESS SATISFACTION AND NUTRITIONAL VALUE
Studies show that green powders are less satisfying.
Green powders are very low in fiber unless it’s added.
2. MEDICAL INTERACTIONS
Research shows that green powders are rich in vitamin K. This reacts with some medications such as blood thinners, antibiotics and cholesterol meds.
3. CONTAMINANTS
One analysis found contaminants such as lead and heavy metals. It’s recommended that you check the manufacturer’s website to confirm if they verify the purity.
4. ALLERGENS
Some of the extracts, such as wheatgrass can cause allergic reactions.
Green tea extracts can also cause headaches and nausea.
When are green powders a waste of money? If you follow a standard healthy diet but have poor sleeping patterns and never exercise, you’re just pouring money down the drain.
If you also don’t follow a healthy diet but do everything else right, green food powders become just a waste of time and money.
TAKEAWAY
The potential health benefits of green powders vary based on the ingredients. They should never replace fruit and veggies in your diet. You should use green powders to supplement an otherwise healthy diet.
Studies on these products are limited; therefore, the full extent of their benefits or complete drawbacks has not been recorded.
They also pose risks to pregnant and breastfeeding women. The effects of green powder on lactating or pregnant mothers aren’t fully known.
Are green powders a waste of money? Some brands are expensive. It may be more economically valuable to purchase fruits and vegetables.
Before consuming green powders, you should speak with your doctor, especially if you’re taking other medications, are pregnant or breastfeeding or have allergies.
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