It’s no secret that most people don’t eat enough vegetables. A study performed in 2017 in America showed that only about 9% of society eats the recommended amount of 1,5 to 2 glasses of vegetables each day. Instead, many decide to use green powders, which are supposed to help you reach the recommended vegetable intake. They are sworn by many celebrities, such as Lea Michele, Nick Jonas, and Drew Barrymore, but are they as healthy as they claim them to be?
If you want to find out, all you have to do is keep reading. So without any further ado – let’s get into it.
What are the green powders?
According to the experts from thesupplementreviews.org – “In green supplements, you’re getting a powdered form of herbs, veggies, and fruits that typically have been freeze-dried. Blends can vary, but many include ingredients like algae spirulina, kale, kelp, beets, wheatgrass, beets, and ginseng.”
The good thing about these products is the fact that, in most cases, they are vegan, non-genetically modified, and organic. However, if you want to be 100% sure, check the label before taking it. Depending on what components the green powder has, the price range may vary from around 20 to 99 cents for a scoop, which is about 2 tablespoons.
Are the green powders healthy?
Generally speaking – yes, they are quite healthy and bring many benefits to your body. However, when taking them, you need to remember that they cannot become a substitute for normal vegetables.
First of all, having a variety of vegetables and fruits throughout the day is one of the main aspects of a well-balanced diet. Green powder is not high in water like veggies are, and will not give you the satisfaction of chewing, both of which can prevent you from overeating. Furthermore, the powders are usually low in fibre and high in vitamin K. One of the downsides of green powder is that it can contain harmful contaminants. Some of the products even have it written on the label that children or pregnant women should not use the product.
You need to remember that green powders are supplements, and before taking any supplement by yourself, you need to go to the doctor so that he or she can tell you if it’s okay for you to do it. If you don’t, it might cause you more harm than good.
What are the benefits of taking green powders?
If the green powders are used correctly and are supported by a balanced diet, they can have a positive effect on the overall wellness of a person. For instance, usually, they contain high doses of vitamins A and C, which can help in supporting the immune system.
Some studies also claim that green powders can:
- Help in preventing chronic diseases – According to one of the studies, taking green powder has helped in lowering the blood levels of oxidatively damaged proteins by almost 30%. These proteins, such as enzymes, assist in protecting your body from cancer and chronic diseases.
- Improve your energy – This one is quite complicated, as, on the one hand, the green powders are low in calories, which means that they don’t supply a lot of energy. On the other, however, some of the green powders include compounds that can make you feel more energetic and more alert, such as green tea extract.
- Some other benefits – Some producers claim that their product can help your body in detoxification and make it more alkaline. However, nothing could be further from the truth. Consuming green powders will not have any effect on the pH of your body, as your organism highly controls it.
When it comes to those studies, you have to look at them with a little bit of skepticism. Unfortunately, there were only a few small ones done, so until it will be confirmed or denied by more studies being performed, you need to look at them with a pinch of salt.
Final Thoughts
So are the green powders as healthy as some of the celebrities are claiming them to be? You could say so. If a well-balanced diet is involved, then taking them can help you in improving your health.
However, remember that before you start taking them, you need to talk to your doctor. If you don’t do it, you might do more harm than good to your body. Also, remember that they cannot replace vegetables – to stay healthy and in shape, you need to eat them, and there’s no way around it.
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