It’s a common misconception that all smoothies are healthy just because they are combined with fresh produce. Even if all of your ingredients are fresh, it can still be jam-packed with sugar and offer little nutritional value. The good news is that all smoothies can be tailored to suit your needs and help with troublesome health issues.
Making a smoothie that is nutritionally dense and full of vitamins is not as complicated as you might think. In fact, the base of all smoothies can be made with ingredients you likely already have in your fridge, such as leafy green vegetables and fruit. When they’re combined with the right natural additives, smoothies can be low in fat and sugar, while being high in both fibre and protein.
We’ve put together a simple recipe series with some of our most powerful all-natural ingredients to maximize your nutrient intake that will also please your taste buds.
The Detox Smoothie
This smoothie can't be “beet” with its vibrant red colour and refreshing citrus flavours that are bursting with tons of vitamin C. These ingredients are packed with antioxidants, iron, fibre, potassium, manganese and have been carefully selected to promote exercise performance, heart health, circulation and lower blood pressure.
Health benefits of beets
Packed with essential nutrients, beetroots are a great source of fibre, folate (vitamin B9), manganese, potassium, iron, and vitamin C. Beetroots and beetroot juice are associated with numerous health benefits, including improved blood flow, lower blood pressure, and increased exercise performance.
Health benefits of hibiscus
Some recent studies are showing the positive effects hibiscus has in helping lower blood pressure, levels of sugar and fats in the blood, spasms in the stomach or intestines, and swelling, all while working like an antibiotic to kill bacteria.
Recipe (click here to get the recipe as a .pdf)
Ingredients
1 cup brewed Natural Focus hibiscus flower
1 tbsp Natural Focus red beet powder
1 cup banana
½ cup frozen mixed berries
1 tsp honey (optional sweetness)
Steep your hibiscus tea beforehand (for strong tea, steep overnight) and allow to cool completely before adding to your smoothie.
Combine all ingredients and blend until smooth.
Enjoy!