7 Best Superfoods for Smoothies to Help Keep You Healthy

Learn about the best superfoods to add to your smoothies and their many potential health benefits.

— On Nov 16, 2022

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Getting all the nutrients, minerals, and vitamins that your body requires daily can be challenging, which is why many health enthusiasts turn to superfoods. Making things even easier and more convenient, plenty of superfoods can be tossed into your morning or afternoon smoothies.

Superfood smoothies are delicious, require little preparation, and are a simple way to ensure that your body gets the nutrients needed to stay active and alert. To help you achieve optimal health, we’ve rounded up the seven best superfoods for smoothies, so make sure your grocery list is nearby!

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What Are Superfoods?

The term “superfood” is a relatively new word to describe nutrient-dense foods. These are foods that offer a plethora of potential health benefits with minimal calories. For example, superfoods for smoothies often contain antioxidants, minerals, vitamins, and other essential nutrients.

If you’re wondering what antioxidants are, they are natural molecules found in certain foods. These tiny molecules help neutralize any free radicals found in our bodies. Free radicals are not good for our health as they can overwhelm the body and cause stress-related issues.

The high mineral and vitamin content contained in various superfoods may help maintain healthy body weight, balance energy levels, and assist with visible signs of aging.

Additionally, studies suggest that the regular consumption of certain superfoods, like goji berries and spirulina, may help support the body's natural defenses.

Why Add Superfoods to Smoothies?

Following a diet that’s rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants is arguably one of the most important parts of living an active, healthy lifestyle.

Many studies have shared that superfoods may have the potential to support your overall health. Additionally, many superfoods contain phytochemicals known for their numerous potential health benefits.

Top 7 Superfoods to Add to Your Smoothies

Superfoods and smoothies belong together. If you drink your smoothies without any superfoods, you are missing out on a ton of possible health benefits that require minimal effort to attain. If you’re interested in reaping the nutritious components of superfoods, here are some of the best superfoods that can be blended into your smoothies:

1. Cacao

Cacao, not cocoa, has been shown in some studies to help support circulation.

Cacao has a chocolatey flavor and is not only delicious in smoothies but also offers a number of potential health benefits, making this nutritious superfood a worthy addition to your diet. Cacao is rich in antioxidants, which can support your skin health and help with the appearance of aging, promote hydration and circulation, soothe any redness and swelling, and even help with blemishes.

2. Goji Berries

Goji berries have been incredibly popular in Asia for many years, but other parts of the world have recently discovered their many potential benefits.

These small but mighty berries are believed to help extend one’s lifespan by offering high amounts of riboflavin, iron, potassium, vitamin C, copper, magnesium, zinc, and vitamin A.

They are also very high in antioxidants, especially beta-carotene, a vitamin that could support several of your body’s functions.

3. Maca

Maca root powder is an effective superfood for smoothies as it packs high levels of iodine and iron that may help keep your cells and metabolism healthy. Maca may aid digestion with its high dose of potassium and is helpful when it comes to muscle cramps.

This superfood is rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and calcium. Maca may even support one’s cognitive function and energy, making it a great smoothie addition for those who live busy, demanding lives.

4. Chia Seeds

Because they contain large quantities of omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants, chia seeds may be potentially beneficial to your health. Adding chia seeds to your smoothies is a great source of fiber, which can support your digestive health.

Chia seeds' high concentration of vitamins, minerals, and gluten-free proteins may help give your body the nutrients it needs. Studies have shown that this superfood can assist with inflammation, support immunity, balance energy levels, and help maintain healthy body weight. With all these potential health benefits, consider adding chia seeds to your grocery list so you can make a nutritious and delicious smoothie.

5. Turmeric

While it might be difficult for you to think of turmeric as anything other than an addition to your tasty curries, small amounts can also be added to smoothies.

This superfood contains minerals like selenium, iron, zinc, and vitamins A, B, and K. With its powerful nutrient, curcumin, turmeric has been shown to assist with pain caused by inflammation. It may also support respiratory function, aid in maintaining the body's natural defenses, promote a healthy metabolism, help with allergies, balance energy levels, and much more.

6. Collagen

Adding a spoonful of collagen powder to your smoothies may help you maintain a youthful appearance by supporting your skin’s elasticity. Studies suggest that collagen may also help with joint pain, skin regeneration, wound healing, and inflammation.

Collagen is usually derived from bovine or fish tissues, so if you are following a vegan diet, you’ll have to find plant-based collagen.

7. Matcha

You’ve likely heard of matcha tea, a type of green tea that many people use as a substitute for coffee. This superfood for smoothies may support a healthy metabolism, regulate energy, promote cell repair, and assist with inflammation in the body.

In addition, matcha is very high in antioxidants, particularly chlorogenic acid, which may help your body process sugar and fat.

How Live it Up Super Greens Can Supercharge Your Smoothies

When adding superfoods to smoothies, start by just adding one at a time. This way, it won’t compromise the flavor you know and love. For those who are short on time but still want all the superfood goodness in their daily life, we recommend adding a greens powder like Live it Up Super Greens to your smoothies.

Live it Up Super Greens is packed with potent natural ingredients and superfoods, including whole-leaf wheatgrass, monk fruit, peppermint leaf, spinach, moringa leaf, alfalfa leaf, broccoli, nopal cactus powder, oat grass juice, dandelion leaf, nettle leaf, burdock root, horsetail, parsley leaf, kelp, dulse, and ginger root. It’s all-natural, vegan, gluten-free, and contains probiotics and digestive enzymes.

In just one scoop, you can pack a bunch of superfood nutrients into your smoothie without having to individually buy, prepare, and store those ingredients yourself. Consider trying this greens powder to power up your smoothie game and give your body a surefire way to get the many vitamins and minerals it needs to stay healthy.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best superfoods to put in smoothies?

Some of the best and tastiest smoothie superfoods are blueberries, spirulina, cacao, goji berries, maca, chia seeds, turmeric, collagen, and matcha.

What are the healthiest things to put in a smoothie?

In addition to superfoods, fruits like bananas, pineapple, and mango make tasty smoothies. You can also toss in handfuls of berries and a few ice cubes to ensure that it’s thick and cold. You might also want to add some probiotic yogurt to make it creamy and support your digestion.

What supplements should I add to my smoothie?

If you’re looking to help your mental and physical health, there are several supplements you may potentially benefit from when adding them to your smoothie on a regular basis. For example, consider adding spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, hemp protein powder, and chia seeds.

What should you not mix in a smoothie?

Even though some foods might make your smoothie taste as delicious as a milkshake, they likely won’t serve your mind or body. When making a smoothie, don’t add sugary fruit juices, ice cream, canned fruit in syrup, frozen yogurt, or chocolate syrup. If you’re really craving one of these items, make it a special treat and not an everyday thing.

What fruits should not be mixed in a smoothie?

Believe it or not, some fruits just don’t belong in a smoothie. Fruits with high acidity, like grapefruit and oranges, won’t complement the other superfoods you’ve already thrown into the blender. If you’re curious, you can try adding grapefruit and oranges, but there’s a good chance that it won’t sit well in your stomach after consumption.

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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