Green powders are très chic at the moment. You can’t scroll through instagram without seeing pictures of green juices and smoothies in varying shades of green from pond scum to radioactive, with users sanctimoniously listing the array of ingredients (the more unpronounceable the better). From wheat grass and spirulina there seems to be something for everyone. but what do they actually do and do you need them?
I’m personally a big fan of these green powders. Leafy green vegetables are full of antioxidants and carotenoids, which boost your brain power, and help protect your brain. (A good, general tip: the greener a leaf vegetable is, the better.) They are also full of B-vitamins, which are “proven to help your memory, focus, and overall brain health and power”. They also contain folic acid, which improves your mental clarity. Think spinach, kale, broccoli.
‘Super Greens’ powders are like vitamins on steroids delivering vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and disease preventing antioxidants. It’s not easy to always meet you nutritional needs of the day, and mixing a couple of tablespoons of a greens powder into a smoothie can really help to meet your daily requirements. Whilst it sounds ideal, it must always be remembered that any kind of supplement is just that – supplementary to a good diet. Just because you take a greens powder doesn’t mean you can stuff your face with burgers and fries 🙂 As always, it’s all about balance.
What to take:
Best for ENERGY:
- Chlorophyll: is structurally almost identical to hemoglobin in the human red blood cell. Because of this match, human red blood cells eagerly absorb all the oxygen bearing alkalizing mineralizing nutritive properties of chlorophyll-rich plants. Adding a powerder will leave you feeling instantly energized!
Best for ANTI-AGING
- Wheat grass: Wheat grass helps the body maintains the optimum pH balance. Rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids and fibre – it energizes and detoxifies the Body. Specialists report that wheat grass is anti-aging because it promotes cell rejuvenation. has been shown to contain a lot of elements that are missing in human body cells. These elements include enzymes, hormones, and certain nucleic acids
Best for PROTEIN (AND VEGETARIANS):
- SPIRULINA: Spirulina contains 60% protein (including all of the essential amino acids) as well as a host of vitamins and minerals. It is rich in essential fatty acids which are needed by the body for a number of important metabolic functions.
Best for BOOSTING THE METABOLISM:
- KELP: Kelp contains Iodine, which is vital for proper thyroid function. The thyroid is responsible for our metabolism and how we convert our food into energy, so kelp can really help to boost energy and combat fatigue.