Supergreens is a category of health supplement that predominantly consists of plant-based material but may also contain probiotic bacteria. Sometimes they provide prebiotics and digestive enzymes as well. Without exception, supergreens products come in the form of a powder and it’s always green.
The plant-based ingredients are the most important thing. They define supergreens and make it what it is. Any probiotic bacteria that is included is only there to offer supplementary benefits.
Prebiotics are plant extracts that provide the type of natural fiber probiotics feed on. As for the digestive enzymes, these generally come from plants as well. For instance, pineapples and bananas contain bromelain.
It’s a protease enzyme that can break down dietary fat. Again, any prebiotic or digestive benefits supergreens offer are best seen as additional extras.
Above all else, supergreens exist to provide a quick and easy means to improve nutrition. Like the plants they are made from, they also contain antioxidants.
Supergreens are a food powder. That in no way means they should be seen as a replacement for a healthy diet. Supergreens just lend a helping hand by providing additional nutritional support.
Which SuperGreen supplement is best in class. Find out which product gets our highest recommendation.
Content Table
How to Get the Best Out of Supergreens
Some people consume supergreens powders by adding them to omelets, sprinkling them over soup, or adding them to other warm meals. None of these ways is a particularly good way to get supergreens into the body. They work best when the powder is shaken or stirred into cold liquid to make a drink.
Adding the powder to warm food has the potential to destroy some of the vitamins they provide.
Super Greens: The Raison D’être
Good health requires a sufficient quantity of fruit and vegetables per day. Apart from providing vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants; they also contain dietary fiber and carbohydrate. Most people do not eat enough fruit and vegetables.
Figures provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) suggest this dietary inadequacy may dramatically reduce longevity. Consequently, WHO is working hard to increase fruit and vegetable consumption all over the world.
https://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/fruit/en/
In 2003, WHO joined forces with the Agriculture Organization (FAO) and launched a venture to promote fruit the health benefits of fruit and vegetables. The recommendation is that everyone should eat at least 400 grams of fruit and vegetables per day.
400 Grams or 5-A-Day
Health organizations worldwide were quick to jump onboard. This lead to the current 5-A-Day campaigns that suggest everyone eat at least five portions of fruit and vegetable per day.
Why 5-A-Day? This has never really been explained, but most people will find it easier to count food portions than weight them.
However, starchy tubers, such as potatoes and yams, do not count towards your 5-A-Day. This is because such food mainly contributes starch to the diet. The nutritional benefit is not so good as that of other root vegetables, such as turnips and parsnips.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/5-a-day-faqs/
Potatoes, yams and other such starchy tubers provide a lot of extra calories that can contribute to weight gain.
An Alternative Way to Get 5-A-Day? (Not Quite)
Despite the high-profile nature of the 5-A-Day campaigns, too many people fail to act on the recommendation. This situation resulted in the birth of the first supergreens products.
All supergreens provide the equivalent of at least five pieces of fruit and vegetable per day. Most of them provide a lot more.
Bananas are an obvious exception, but most fruits and vegetables require a certain amount of preparation. At the very least it will be wise to wash them. They may also need peeling. In the case of many vegetables, some cutting and cooking is also likely to be necessary.
With a supergreens powder, all you need to do is stick it in a glass with some water and you are good to go.
That in no ways means supergreens should be seen as an alternative to your 5-A-Day. They are an excellent way to get extra nutrients and antioxidants into the body though.
Supergreens Vs Multi-Vitamins and Mineral Pills
The human body is designed to take its nourishment from food. Pills that provide vitamins and minerals are all well and good, but they don’t provide anything else. I say this with the exclusion of immune system boosting pills.
Natural fiber? They don’t have it. Nor do they offer any antioxidants.
Antioxidants are important. They act as scavengers, seeking out free radical toxins and neutralizing them.
Free radical toxins contribute to early aging and have the potential to harm the health in many ways. You need antioxidants. They support good health.
https://nccih.nih.gov/health/antioxidants/introduction.htm
The researches in charge of one study noted a significant reduction in protein and lipid oxidation among subjects using supergreens powder.
This was put down to the antioxidant properties of the powder. The researchers concluded the powder may offer protection against the chronic diseases that can result from oxidative stress.
Supergreens: The Potential to Support Good Health
Supergreens powders can be very nutritious. The plant proteins, vitamins, and other nutrients they provide can provide physical and mental invigoration along with an improved feeling of well-being.
Some of the benefits supergreens users may experience could include:
- Increased energy
- Not becoming tired so easily
- Improvements to the skin, nails, and hair
- Better digestion
- Healthy bowel movements
- Healthier liver function
- Better immune system
- Improved concentration
- Better memory
Of course, the benefits are likely to be more pronounced in individuals whose normal diet provides an insufficient range of nutrients.
Supergreens for Weight Management
Many supergreens manufacturers state their products can help with weight loss.
The truth of the matter is, there are better ways to lose weight. There are some very good products that are designed to provide this kind of support.
However, that’s not to say supergreens powder will offer no weight loss support at all.
For one thing, the dietary fiber the powders contain has the potential to provide a feeling of satiety that could help suppress hunger cravings.
Some of the plant extracts used in supergreens may also support weight loss in other ways. Acai berries are a good example.
Some research shows they can boost metabolism and, in so doing, cause the body to burn extra calories.
The probiotics that some supergreens powders contain also have the potential to increase metabolism.
Supergreens are a good source of zinc, which supports testosterone production. When you start talking about testosterone most people immediately think of it’s relationship to muscle growth. However, among other things, testosterone also helps with fat burning.
So, s