Many dietary supplements on the market claim they can improve your athletic performance and overall health. One of these supplements is green powders, which help you get all the nutrients from multiple servings of green vegetables.
However, the question is, is green powder supplement the same as eating vegetables regularly? Are these products worth investing or green powders are waste of money? Let’s find out.
What Are Green Powders?
Green powders are plant-based supplements made from green vegetables, such as spinach, kale, blue-green algae like spirulina, edible grasses, and other leafy greens. Moreover, they often mix other organic vegetables, such as carrots, mushrooms, tomatoes, beets, healthy probiotics, digestive enzymes, natural sweeteners, and some natural fiber.
Most green powders are intended to be mixed into water or incorporated into smoothies and other beverages. Some green powders are added to salad dressings, soups, and dips or sprinkled on top of many dishes. They claim that green powders replace vegetables that can help you reach your daily recommended intake of veggies.
In addition, green powders claim that they have many health benefits. It includes having a healthy immune system, digestive health, bone health, and healthy blood pressure. It also can boost energy levels or promote the body’s natural detoxification processes.
Are Green Powders A Waste Of Money?
The honest answer to this question could be it depends. Since not all green powder brands can be trusted that contain all the nutrients, it could be a waste of money. However, most green powders are worth the money.
In the review of Markita Lewis, MS, RD, high-quality green powders are said to contain 30 to 40 or even more ingredients, consisting mainly of fresh vegetables, such as
- Seaweed: kelp, spirulina, nori, dulce, sea lettuce
- Grasses: barley grass, alfalfa grass, oat grass, wheatgrass
- Other veggies: green cabbage, tomatoes, beets, carrots
- Antioxidant-rich foods: blueberries, goji berries, raspberries
- Leafy greens: collard greens, parsley, spinach, moringa, kale
- Nutritional extracts: green tea extract, grape seed extract, Ginkgo Biloba extract
- Herbs: astralagus, basil, milk thistle
- Probiotics: Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus (L.) rhamnosus, L. acidophilus
- Plant-based digestive enzymes: lipase, amylase, protease, papain, cellulase
- Natural fiber: apple fiber, inulin, rice bran, and other fiber compounds
- Mushrooms: shiitake mushroom extract, maitake mushroom extract
- Natural sweeteners: monk fruit extract, stevia leaf extract, corn syrup
Green powders are still considered processed foods despite having all these components and can never replace a healthy diet rich in fresh fruits and veggies. Instead, green powder supplements are a good investment for athletes on the go or people who often travel and have difficulty finding fresh produce.
Benefits of Greens Powder
Here are many claimed health benefits and nutritional benefits of using green powder:
Immune function
Green powder is rich in different vitamins and minerals, particularly Vitamin A, responsible for making the immune system healthy. It also protects the eyes, nose, and digestive tract, which are considered the body’s first line of defense.
Moreover, it contains Vitamin C that has vivo antioxidant properties. This vitamin has been found to improve cell function and reduce the length of some respiratory infections. The human body cannot make or store this nutrient, so better you get it through diet.
Aid digestion
Green powders contain fiber compounds essential for healthy digestive function. Fiber may not be easy to find, and green powder has a low content for this nutrient. Most greens powders brands claim digestive benefits may come from additives, such as probiotics and digestive enzymes, which are well-known to support a healthy gut.
Energy levels
Green powders are generally low in calories, but their energy boost might come from other sources. For instance, it contains the mineral iron, essential for energy production. On the other hand, some organic green powders include matcha, which has an ample amount of caffeine, supporting energy levels.
Lower blood pressure
Green powders are rich in vital nutrients, such as magnesium, potassium, and nitrates. These nutrients improve blood flow, manage high blood pressure, and treat heart disorders.
Weight loss
Nutrition experts at Health Canal say greens and superfoods powder can combine with consistent exercise and help you lose weight. Some ingredients of super greens supplements give an extra boost in the metabolism, which is the key to burning body fat.
If you’re looking for low-calorie snacks, greens powder supplement makes an excellent alternative because they are very low in calories.
How to Choose The Right Greens Powder
Green powders are designed to improve an overall healthy diet by mixing them in water to make green drinks or your protein shake. Many greens powders in the market offer numerous benefits, but are they all true?
Hence, here are some things to look for when choosing a green powder:
The Ingredients
Look for brands or manufacturers that use high-quality ingredients on their labels. Consider a green powder that contains the following ingredients:
- Spirulina
- Leafy green veggies
- Chlorella
- Berry fruits
- Edible grass
- Fibers
- Probiotics
- Enzymes
The reputation of the manufacturer
When choosing suitable green powders, research the company or manufacturer as well. They are many green supplements on the market that make all similar claims; however, not all are the same when it comes to quality. If possible, look for organic green powder supplements that came from almost all fresh produce.
When checking the label, also check the information:
- Expiration date: Don’t purchase the product if the expiration date has passed or is just around the corner.
- Contact information: Make sure that the product’s labeling includes the product’s lot number or batch number, company name and address, and contact information.
- Label ingredients: There will likely be a list of different proprietary blends from greens to superfoods to herbs and probiotic mixes; however, additional ingredients may not be included on the label.
Some green powder supplements are unregulated and often contain heavy metals if a third party does not test them. Heavy metals are toxins that can negatively affect your health at low concentrations, but these contaminants can accumulate in the body over time.
Ensure that the green powder supplement you are buying is what’s printed on the label and isn’t full of toxins.
Conclusion
Green powders are not a waste of money if you choose the right brand. Make sure to purchase a green powder supplement with a fully disclosed label, natural ingredients, and taste good. Avoid green powder that contains artificial ingredients, fillers, and chemicals.
So, as long as you meet these requirements, you’re making an excellent investment in your health.
