Top 7 Possible Benefits of Drinking Greens

Find out how adding green juices and smoothies to your daily routine can help your overall health and vitality in many ways.

By Lena Bakovic, RDN, CNSC

— On Jan 13, 2023

In this article:

For reasons related to taste and convenience, many people prefer to drink their greens rather than eat them. Even the most health-conscious individuals may balk at the idea of consuming a large amount of fruits and vegetables every day. Instead, they turn to the best greens powders in a smoothie, glass of water, or protein shake.

But what effect does drinking greens have? Soluble greens, especially when sourced from high-quality greens powders, are considered potent antioxidants with anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting properties, among many other advantages.

Drinking greens is an excellent option for someone who lives a busy lifestyle with limited time to prepare well-balanced meals. People who have the time to cook should still consider drinking greens, as it's an easy way to ensure your body is getting the greens required for energy and immune health. It's also a great choice for people who don't like the taste or texture of lettuce, kale, broccoli, or other green superfoods, since the powder is undetectable when mixed into a drink.

For those eager to learn more about the best greens powder and their potential benefits, we've compiled everything you need to know:

What Are Greens Powders?

Many people become frightened when they hear the word "greens." However, greens are a significant part of your everyday diet. Without them, your bowel movements can become uncomfortable and irregular, especially if you’re not getting enough fiber.

Greens powders are soluble powders made from freeze-dried vegetables like kale, chard, and spinach and superfoods like wheatgrass and alfalfa leaf. The powerful powder has many of the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients your body needs to work at its best.

Spirulina, broccoli, spinach, kale, chlorella, alfalfa, wheatgrass, barley grass, apple, and carrot are some of the vegetables, superfoods, and even fruits that are most often found in drinking greens. Other ingredients you might find in drinking greens are digestive enzymes, ginger, and green tea extract. The components of drinking greens will differ depending on the brand and formula.

Many greens powder have formulas that are easy to stomach. Additionally, you may notice some improvements in your health after consuming greens powder regularly.

Top 7 Possible Health Benefits of Drinking Greens

So, what exactly does drinking greens do for your body? Check out our top potential health benefits.

1. High in antioxidants

The soluble greens powder is high in antioxidants like vitamins K and C, which means it can help fight off the free radicals that damage cells. Because of this, drinking greens in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle may contribute to immune wellness.

2. High in phytonutrients

"What are phytonutrients?" you might ask. They are essential for keeping you alive and are most commonly found in vegetables, fruits, whole grains, spices, nuts, and beans. Because greens powders contain leafy vegetables, they're naturally high in phytonutrients.

Because of their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, phytonutrients are great for promoting a balanced immune response. These tiny nutrients may also help with free radicals and promote tissue regeneration, which is important for active individuals and athletes as you'll require less recovery time.

3. May help support weight management

Drinking a greens powder is generally low in calories but high in nutrients, making it an excellent and helpful dietary addition for those trying to maintain healthy body weight. This is especially crucial if you're eating within a calorie deficit, as getting all the nutrients your body requires can be tricky if you consume less food.

The antioxidants in drinking greens may assist in your body composition goals by getting rid of toxins and lowering inflammation. Antioxidants can help reduce inflammation, which encourages the body to get rid of waste that has been there too long.

4. May support energy levels

Instead of drinking a caffeine- and sugar-packed energy drink, you may want a more natural alternative, which you can find by mixing greens in your glass of water to help contribute to energy balance. Because of the slow-release proteins and carbohydrates found in many powders, you may notice a more consistent supply of energy. Drinking greens containing spirulina may help with fatigue and help maintain energy release.

5. Support the health of your skin and nails

For people with problematic skin, drinking greens may help you get your glow back by reducing sebum production. When you have an excess of sebum, it can clog your pores and result in painful, red acne.

Greens powders are often high in vitamin A, which can help slow sebum production and flush out toxins. Also, the vitamin E in many vegetables and greens can help support the skin from damage caused by free radicals and the environment. Beta-carotene, folate, and lutein can also contribute to skin elasticity and nail strength.

6. May support digestive health

The nutrients in superfoods and dark green, leafy vegetables can help you maintain regularity along with supporting your body against inflammation and excess water retention. More specifically, the vitamins C and K and folate in broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and spinach add weight and bulk to stools, making them heavier so they can easily move through the gut.

Your gut is rather sensitive, and if it's unhappy, it can impact your mood, skin, and energy levels. So, if your digestive system isn't working right, you won't be able to absorb vitamins and nutrients as well as you should, which is why it is imperative to support the health of your gut.

Superfood greens powders often contain probiotics and digestive enzymes, which are crucial for breaking down and absorbing any food that enters your stomach. Consuming a greens powder on a daily basis can ensure that your body receives an extra dose of enzymes, further supporting your gut health. Once your body is used to drinking greens, the probiotics and fiber in the formula can help assist with any uncomfortable bloating.

7. May boost your mood

It's common knowledge that when you eat unhealthy foods frequently, your mood can suffer. The nutrients found in greens powders may help your body manage high levels of stress and help support your emotional wellness. Also, drinking greens packed with veggies can help contribute to mental clarity.

What Are the Side Effects of Drinking Greens?

Like all nutritional powders and health supplements, drinking greens may have a few side effects that should be considered before diving into a container. For example, because greens powders frequently contain 15 to 40 ingredients, some people have reported allergic reactions.

Before you start drinking greens, make sure that none of the medicines you already take interact with any of the formula's ingredients, and discuss with your doctor about adding this into your diet.

Follow the directions on the label, and don't take more than the recommended dose. This will reduce the chance of side effects.

How to Use Drinking Greens

Superfood greens powders are commonly mixed into protein shakes, smoothies, juices, or even plain water for those who aren't bothered by their earthy taste.

Many people drink greens every morning before breakfast when their stomach is empty. This way, the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals can be better absorbed. But if it's more convenient for you to drink it at lunch or before bed, that works, too.

Why We Recommend Live it Up

Using Live it Up Super Greens powder is an easy way to make sure your body gets all of the antioxidants and nutrients it needs to do its important jobs. Super Greens has whole-leaf wheatgrass, monk fruit, peppermint leaf, spinach, alfalfa leaf, broccoli, nopal cactus powder, oat grass juice, dandelion leaf, nettle leaf, burdock root, horsetail, parsley leaf, kelp, dulse, and ginger root.

This blend is nut-free, sugar-free, gluten-free, and an all-in-one drinking greens formula that's made with natural ingredients. Kickstart your health journey by adding Live it Up Super Greens to your daily routine..

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the possible benefits of drinking greens?

The essential vitamins and nutrients found in greens powders may assist your mood, promote digestive balance, aid in your weight loss plan, assist with the appearance of your skin and nails, balance energy levels, and so much more.

What happens when you start drinking greens?

When you start drinking greens regularly, it can help contribute to your nervous and immune systems, digestion, energy levels, skin and nails, and mood. For the first few days, or until your gut gets used to drinking greens, you might experience some bloating and discomfort. This should become less common as your digestive system becomes more familiar with the supplement.

Does drinking greens help with bloating?

By reducing inflammation over time, the digestive enzymes in green drinks may help reduce the amount of bloating you feel. Once your body becomes used to the drinking greens formula, you may notice that you no longer experience the gastrointestinal stress and inflammation you used to, but results will vary for each user.

Does drinking greens help you lose weight?

A high-quality greens powder may help you feel fuller for longer and minimize cravings as you'll get the nutrients and vitamins your body requires. As a supplement, it may help curb your appetite to help with weight loss efforts. In addition to consuming drinking greens, those who want to maintain a healthy body weight should exercise frequently, follow a nutritious diet, and prioritize restful sleep.

Is it better to drink greens in the morning or at night?

It is best to drink your greens powder first thing in the morning before you eat anything else, as this aids absorption. However, being consistent is the most important thing. If it’s easier for you to consume your drinking greens with lunch or dinner, then stick with that routine. For those who experience bloating or discomfort after drinking their greens on an empty stomach, try consuming the beverage with a meal or smoothie.

How long does it take to see results from drinking greens?

Generally speaking, with any change in a diet or health routine, it can take anywhere from weeks to months to see results. Before you notice improvements from drinking greens, you should plan to use the formula regularly (per the instructions). It's essential to be consistent and remember that results may vary from person to person.

References

About the author:

Lena Bakovic, RDN, CNSC

Lena Bakovic, RDN, CNSC, is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Support Clinician dedicated to helping others lead healthier lives through evidence-based nutrition advice.

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