Green Drinks ' A Great Way To Get Your Greens
Although Green Drink mixes have had a small group of fans up until this point do to their bad taste, there are now Green Drink mixes available with great flavors that are also plentiful in nutrients. Green Drink mixes have recently become very popular because of the large part of the vitamins and minerals that they provide with ease and convenience. Even a person who is extremely devoted to getting the recommended 5 to 9 servings of fruits and vegetables can find it hard some days. According to the National Cancer Institute, 87% of US families don't get the daily fruits and vegetables needed to stay healthy.
As far as fiber is concerned, most Americans only eat 15 grams of fiber per day, which is less than half of the 35 grams that health and nutrition experts recommended in order to prevent heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. In one single serving, most green drink mixes contain 6 grams of fiber. The best green drink mixes are made up of inulin and oligofructose (OF), which are two soluble fibers that come from chicory root and are packed with nutritional goodness. While in the body, this type of fibers increase the numbers of friendly bacteria by providing the necessary nutrients needed so the friendly bacteria can multiply. Fiber also rids the intestinal walls of unwanted waste and toxins. Both inulin and oligofructose improve the digestibility of calcium and can increasing bone production and slow the rate of bone breakdown.
Although we cannot fully digest grasses because we can't digest the compounds, that grasses and other plants use to maintain their structure (fibers), green drink mixes contain grasses because they are extremely rich in antioxidants. These antioxidants hunt free radicals. Damage from these free radicals is the number one cause of aging and also may lead to heart disease and cancer. Green drink mixes that contain barley grass provide about 2 servings of green vegetables just from the single ingredient. Barley grass, a nutrient-dense substance, contains many antioxidants that help fight caner and boost the immunity. For example, radish sprouts, which contain vitamins A and C, folate, calcium, and potassium, have superior antioxidant action and are a common ingredient in green drink mixes.
Chlorophyll for example, triggers biochemical reactions in nearly all living organisms and is also important along with the antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and fiber found in a good green drink mix product. The chlorophyll molecule contains magnesium, which is vital for muscle contraction, the conduction of nerves, and maintaining heart and blood pressure. Because nearly 70-80% of American adults don't get an adequate amount of green vegetables, they also aren't getting enough magnesium in their diet. Most green drink mix products also contain wheat grass, which is full of valuable nutrients such as beta-carotene, riboflavin, folic acid, tyrosine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid. A good green drink mix product should also contain vegetables, leafy greens, and other nutrients, such as blue green algae.
Even though Green Drinks are valuable to everyone, people with leaky gut syndrome, autoimmune disease, cancer, heart disease, and osteoporosis benefit the most from green drink mixes in their daily diet. Because the vitamins and minerals in green drink mixes can be easily metabolized, people with leaky gut syndrome are able to get their needed vitamins and minerals back into their system in a soothing, natural way. High quality green drink mixes also contain vegetables rich in carotenoids, which show great results for immunomodulating effects in people with autoimmune disease. Green drink mixes contain many whole foods such as cabbage, inulin, oligofructose, radish, tomato, and kelp, which feed the body and help fight cancer. Green tea, broccoli, cabbage and carrots, which are found in a high quality powdered green drink mix, have great cardio protective effects. The broccoli and cabbage combination is able to reduce LDL cholesterol by 8.5% after only 9 weeks of use. Beta-carotene, which is found in carrots, also decreases cholesterol levels in the liver by up to 44%. Diets rich in vegetables, which contain calcium, magnesium, and potassium, helps to keep bones strong and prevent osteoporosis. When choosing a green drink mix product, make sure that it is one that has a good amount of fiber to help the bone-building minerals be absorbed into the system.
Along with the antioxidants found in barley grass and radish sprouts, there are many nutrients that are found in green drink mixes that provide significant health benefits. For instance, lycopene, which is a plant-based antioxidant compound that may protect against cancer and heart disease, is also more powerful than beta-carotene, the best-known carotenoid. With more than 70 studies examining the link between lycopene and cancer, strong evidence suggests that lycopene can protect against prostate, lung, and stomach cancers, and perhaps cancers of the cervix, colon, rectum, esophagus, mouth, and pancreas. Lycopene may also fight heart disease and prevent congestive heart failure.
Because green drink mixes contain alkalinizing foods, they can help balance out the increased intake of processed foods, which has led to an imbalance of acid in the body's system. For instance, although lemons and grapefruits are considered acidic, their action in the body actually makes them an alkalinizing food. These alkalinizing foods also support bone health because they contain potassium and magnesium, which are two minerals that are very sparse in the body because they are depleted after ingesting a large amount of acid-producing food. In fact, potassium and magnesium from whole foods can improve bone mineral density for many older individuals.
Although some green drink mixes taste worse than plain old vegetables, there are high quality green drink mixes with a natural, fruit, or mint flavors. These added flavors can turn the most ardent veggie avoider into an instant fan. Plus the benefits of drinking green drink mixes are the almost instant intake of chlorophyll, magnesium, antioxidants, plant enzymes, and fiber. When the person taking the Green Drink mix realizes that they are combing good taste with an instant intake of the above nutrients, the value and convenience of the green drink mix becomes extremely obvious. These green drink mixes can provide a great-tasting, ultra-pure, whole-food way to get the essential nutrients that most Americans are lacking. In turn, these nutrients can help prevent cancer, heart disease, and diabetes, while enhancing energy, supporting digestion, and boosting your immune system. Green drink mixes and other great supplements can be found at your local health food store or internet Health food store.