Green Powder: What Is It & What's In It?
Ask just about any modern wellness devotee, and they'll likely tell you that their number one lifestyle goal is to look and feel good. And not just look good because they hit the gym daily and get more than enough sleep at night. They all want that genuine, vibrant, healthy outlook that can only be achieved through a consistent intake of minerals, vitamins, and vegetables. Top of their wish list? You guessed it: green powder.
What is Green Powder?
More than just a wellness buzzword, green powder is a dietary supplement whose sole goal is to help people reach their recommended daily intake of minerals, vegetables, and vitamins.
True to its name, green powder comes in powder form and can be mixed with water, fruit juice, or smoothie to form a drinkable concoction.
If you're wondering whether green powders are only made of "green" things, the answer is no. On the contrary, most green powder supplements incorporate plenty of non-green ingredients that are just as healthy as their green counterparts.
What's In Green Powder?
Not all green powder supplements are made the same. The ingredients in each vary depending on the manufacturer. Generally, though, these are the ingredients that you're likely to find in a typical green powder supplement:
- Leafy greens (like spinach and kale)
- Probiotics
- Prebiotics
- Spirulina
- Herbs
- Mushrooms
- Algae
- Fruits
- And the list continues
When it comes to processing all these healthy ingredients into one powerful, powder-based supplement, most manufacturers will opt to air dry or freeze-dry them. Before buying a green powder supplement, be sure to confirm what ingredients are included and take note of any peculiar additives and how they process it all.
What Makes a Good Quality Green Powder?
Some green powder products are packed with all the good and healthy stuff, while others are flat-out unhealthy and detrimental to one's health. If you're on the lookout for a high-quality green powder product, you'll want to keep these key ingredients in mind:
Probiotics
These are foods containing microorganisms intended to support or strengthen your body's "good bacteria" (microflora). When the good bacteria are functioning well, issues like bad bacteria, skin problems, bloating, and frequent sickness become a thing of the past.
Prebiotics
What keeps the microflora from dying? Prebiotics. Beyond acting as food for the good bacteria, prebiotics also support the body in maintaining a healthy colony of preexisting bacteria and microorganisms.
Dark Leafy Greens
A good green powder will have no shortage of leafy vegetables such as kale, watercress, spinach, broccoli, and arugula.
Grasses
As weird as this sounds, the best green powder supplements do contain a healthy mix of nutritional grasses, including oat, rye, wheatgrass, and alfalfa. The taste of most green powders can be traced back to any of these grasses, especially wheatgrass.
Anti-Oxidant Fruits
Blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are all fruits you can find in a quality green powder supplement.
Benefits and Risks of Green Powder
Multiple studies continue to vouch for this product while doctors are slowly but assuredly joining the green powder bandwagon. And it's all down to a number of potential health benefits:
Supplements Digestive Health
Everyone experiences digestion problems every once in a while. If you choose a green powder packed with prebiotics and probiotics, you might find lasting relief from symptoms like heartburn, gas, and constipation.
Combats Hypertension
Some green powders contain nutrients like nitrates, magnesium, and potassium, essential for improving blood flow and keeping high blood pressure (hypertension) at bay.
Corrects Hormone Imbalance
The basis of green powders, as we mentioned, are leafy green vegetables. These vegetables, including broccoli and arugula, are known for their hormone-balancing prowess. They do so by balancing estrogen and lowering cortisol levels.
Strengthens Immune System
What you eat can make or break your immune system. Prebiotics, a critical ingredient in green powders, can help improve your immune health profile by altering the balance of the "good" and "bad" bacteria present in the gut. This benefit is backed up by research, too, with a 2013 NIH study confirming that well-regulated gut microflora does indeed contribute to a healthy immune system.
However, research into the risks and cons of green powder is still in its infancy.
Who Should Use Green Powders?
Generally speaking, anyone who's struggling to follow through with their daily recommended intake of vegetables and vitamins will find green powder particularly helpful.
Specifically, the following groups of people can benefit greatly from this product:
- On-the-goers
- Fitness buffs
- Wellness junkies
- Anyone struggling with digestion problems, hormone imbalance, and heart issues
It's worth noting, though, that green powders are not a direct replacement for real vegetables, fruits, or vitamins. You should only use them as a supplement and nothing more.
What Happens If You Take Too Much Green Powder?
The recommended dosage of this product is 1 tablespoon of powder (10-12 grams). You'll then need to mix it with 8-10 oz. of cold water to form a drinkable juice, to be taken as recommended or on a daily basis.
Taking a dose higher than one tablespoon isn't likely to cause considerable harm, but it's always advisable to stick to the suggested serving. It's the quality that matters, not the quantity.
Do All Green Powders Taste Weird?
As healthy as green powders are, they're not the best-tasting supplements on the planet. The reason for that is because most contain wheatgrass and spirulina, two ingredients with a very strong and distinctive taste.
That said, not all green powders taste weird. Some brands do manufacture powders that taste great and leave no after-taste behind. If you've been using a powder whose taste you can't stand, it might be time to switch to a different brand.
However, if you have some of the other brand's powder left, try these tips to make it a bit more bearable:
- Mix it with your favorite recipes, including soups and sauces
- Add it to a smoothie or fruit juice
- Mix it with oatmeal or yogurt
- Divide into smaller, more manageable portions
- Sprinkle in some spices such as ginger and cayenne
To Sum It Up
The health benefits of green powder are well-documented and, quite frankly, undeniable. Several doctors and studies agree that green powders boost wellness by reducing the risk of hypertension, improving gut function, and reinforcing the immune health profile. Choosing the green powder way is choosing a life that's happier, healthier, and ultimately more fulfilling.
As the wider green powder market continues to take shape, it's important that you do your due diligence. Only buy from a brand whose products feature a rich variety of ingredients, taste great, and are carefully vetted.
One such brand is Cardiff Essential Superfoods. Our Superfoods Pre & Probiotic Blend packs over 22 ingredients, including all your essential greens. And we're so confident in our products that we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Get in touch today to get started with the simplest, most complete green powder product on the market, made with nothing but love.