Over the last few years, we have heard more and more about greens and green superfoods.
We hear of all kinds of amazing benefits to drinking these powders. But see, one of the problems is that the supplement industry always makes huge claims.
This makes every product or ingredient sound like it will be the ingredient or key to your success.
...and with all of these huge claims, it’s hard to know what is fact and what is fiction. How can you know what will work and what will not?
Well, let’s just get a few things straight right out of the gate.
No matter what your goal is ... Your nutrition, exercise routine, sleep, and drinking an adequate amount of water are the most important aspects in reaching those goals.
Now, can supplements help that process? Absolutely!
High-quality supplements used at the right time can help make it easier to stick to your plan. They are simply supplementing the nutrients we can fall short on in our nutrition. Ultimately, this can help you earn the results you want.
Green superfood supplements are no exception. Do they have a lot of potential to offer some great benefits to you? Yes!
But only if you are taking a quality product and using it consistently along with your nutrition and workout routine.
In this article, I want to go over the benefits of greens and green superfood supplements. You'll learn what greens supplements are, how to use them, and what you need to know when adding them to your routine!
So let’s jump in…
In This Article:
• What Are Greens Superfood Supplements?
• Why Are Greens Superfood Supplements So Important?
• What Are the Benefits of Greens Superfood Supplements?
• Can Greens Supplements Substitute Fresh Vegetables?
• What Are the Downsides of Taking a Greens Superfood Supplement?
• How Do You Use Greens Supplements?
• What Are Good Ingredients in Greens Supplements?
• What Makes Up a High-Quality Greens Superfood Supplement?
• What Are Greens Superfood Supplements: Summary and Recommendations
What Are Greens Superfood Supplements?
So, what are greens superfood supplements?
Greens supplements are typically a blend of vegetables, fruits, grasses, and sometimes much more. These ingredients are dehydrated, compacted, or distilled into a powdered form.
The specific ingredients you'll find in a greens supplement can and will vary by brand. However, some of the most common ingredients are barley grass, wheat grass, spirulina, alfalfa, herbs, leafy greens, vegetables, legumes, and fruits.
Greens supplements can help supply your body with the nutrients many of us can't get from fruits and vegetables alone.
Greens supplements will also supply your body with very beneficial phytonutrients (natural chemicals or compounds produced by plants). They keep plants healthy, and when you ingest them, they can help you stay healthy as well. These phytonutrients are found in superfoods that we don’t typically eat.
Yes, a supplement can help you get the many benefits of these greens. Just don't fool yourself into believing that a few greens drinks can make up for a lack of vegetables!
Why Are Greens Superfood Supplements So Important?
Greens superfood supplements are important for many reasons. First and foremost, greens supplements can help augment (AKA Supplement) a diet that is low in fruits and vegetables.
Notice that I did not say replace vegetables. No, greens supplements are an addition to your plan and the vegetables you are eating!
In many cases, you'll get a wider variety of nutrients than what you consume through whole foods alone … more to come on that.
Now, let’s define servings real quick. For decades, the belief and message we got was to eat 4-6 servings of fruits and veggies a day.
But as our society has evolved and as we have learned more, a more accurate number is shooting for 10 or more servings of fruits and veggies a day.
For most people, and I am guilty of this too, we fall short. We also tend to consume a lot more protein and processed carbs than fruits and veggies. This can create an acid load in the body and potential acidosis.
Greens supplements can also be helpful for traveling or busy days in general. This is especially when whole food fruits and vegetables aren’t available!
Plus, a high-quality green superfoods supplement typically has some sort of digestive enzyme blend or probiotic to help improve digestion, gut health, and help keep you regular ... which I know no one likes to talk about openly, but we all appreciate.
We don't like feeling constipated, bloated, or like we're stinking up the bathroom.
That's one of the reasons why using a green superfoods powder can help support digestion and gut health. In turn, this can help improve your results since your body will be operating more efficiently.
Now, what are all the potential benefits that a high-quality greens superfood supplement can offer?
What are the Benefits of Greens Superfood Supplements?
There are many benefits of taking a greens supplement. As your body starts operating more efficiently, most of your body's systems and functions will improve. This can lead to a lot of favorable benefits and changes in how you look and feel.
But, that is a pretty broad statement ... so let’s dive in and look at the most common benefits of using a greens supplement!
1. Balance Ph Levels In the Body
In an ideal world, everyone would eat plenty of vegetables on a daily basis to get the nutrients they need. Given the reality of our busy lives, though, it's rarely possible.
Between work, family commitments, and working out ... There's simply not enough time left over to shop around for a variety of vegetables, much less cook and eat them all.
Because of this, many people are undernourished. Then add in the stress that we put our body through due to the fast pace of society. The late nights, long days, hard workouts and more can all create an unfavorable environment in our body.
Actually, it creates an acid load within our bodies, throwing off our pH balance. Regular exercise training can increase acid production in the body as well! But, this is where vegetables, fruits, and a high-quality greens powder can help.
Most of us never consider the acid/alkaline balance of our blood, but a proper pH is a crucial aspect of overall health. Having an improper pH can lead to you experiencing negative consequences such as:
• Gastric Reflux
• Dry Skin
• Weak Hair
• Brittle Teeth
• Bloating/Gas
• Headaches
• Slower Metabolism
• Low Energy
• Muscle Spasms
Therefore, by supplementing with a green superfoods supplement, you can help balance PH levels in the body ... helping it to operate more efficiently every day.
2. Increase Your Ability to Burn Fat
This can happen for a few reasons, one of which is related to balancing PH levels, so let's start there.
When our pH levels are off and we have high degrees of acidity in our body, it forces our bodies to rob minerals from our bones, cells, organs, and tissues.
This means we can end up lacking enough minerals to dispose of waste or carry out daily functions. Our ability to properly absorb and use nutrients decreases, and toxins in the body increase.
When this happens, it can lead to weight gain, hinder your ability to burn fat, and make it harder to reach your goals.
Another way greens superfood supplements can aid in fat loss is that they can help balance blood sugar levels.
Balanced blood sugar can help with less fat storage, more consistent energy levels throughout the day, and controlled cravings/appetite ... making it easier to stick to your nutrition plan.
Which, as you may already know, your nutrition plan has the biggest influence on the results you earn!
3. Increase Your Natural Energy Levels
Once again, this comes down to getting your body back in balance. When I say balance, I mean reducing the acid overload, improving gut health, and supplying your body with high-quality nutrients.
Restoring this balance makes it easier for the body to get the nutrients it needs for healthy cellular activity. In turn, this can help support natural energy levels.
Therefore, if you're someone who is feeling run down or tired … it would make sense to check your nutrition. From there, make sure you're hydrated and add in greens. It could make a big difference!
4. Reduce Inflammation
We hear time and time again about the negative effects of inflammation. After all, it is a leading cause of many diseases and medical conditions.
It can also cause a lot of undesirable side effects you may experience like fatigue or chronic pain. But I want to say one thing real quick. Not all inflammation is bad. We need some!
The problem comes in when you have excessive amounts of inflammation for extended periods of time! Which in today’s fast-paced, on-the-go society, is very common.
You see, our bodies naturally accumulate toxins called free radicals. These free radicals come from our food, water, environment, and much more. Overtime, this can lead to what's called oxidative stress, where there's an abundance of these free radicals.
To keep things simple, when this lasts for long periods of time, it can increase inflammation. It can also increase the likelihood of degenerative diseases like arthritis and autoimmune disorders. Not only that, but also delay recovery, weaken immunity, and wreak havoc on the body in general.
That’s why antioxidants are so important. They can help combat oxidative stress and help regulate free radicals.
A high-quality greens supplements should provide your body with powerful antioxidants to support you in this way.
So, not only are green superfoods alkaline-forming, which can help reduce inflammation caused by acid overload, but they are also rich in antioxidants.
Many greens powders also contain magnesium and vitamin E. Both of these possess potent anti-inflammatory powers.
Greens superfood supplements can be a great way to harness these anti-inflammatory effects.
5. Greens Superfood Supplements Are Convenient
We live in a society based on convenience. If something is inconvenient to our lifestyle, we are far less likely to do it consistently. It really doesn't matter what it is, either!
Eating a lot of dark, leafy green vegetables every day is inconvenient. That's why most people don’t do it. That's also why adding in a high-quality powdered greens supplement can be a great option.
When you add in a greens supplement ... you can get a concentrated serving of vitamins, minerals, probiotic, digestive enzymes, and antioxidants. It really only takes 30-60 seconds too. Talk about quick and easy!
What Are Other Benefits of Greens Superfood Supplements?
Now, those 5 benefits are for greens alone. However, if your greens powder has ingredients such as digestive enzymes and probiotics in it, there can be even more benefits!
One of these benefits can be improving your gut health. Which by improving your gut health, you will consequently improve your overall health. That’s because your gut is responsible for crucial tasks. This includes the breakdown, absorption, and utilization of the foods you eat.
Really, you're helping your body partition calories and nutrients more effectively to fuel your body and reduce waste.
If you are someone who has an unhealthy gut or experiences negative symptoms such as bloating, gas, or indigestion ... then your greens supplement may help alleviate those symptoms as well.
Your gut is also primarily responsible for your immune system and ability to fight off illness.
By increasing the healthy bacteria in your gut with probiotics, you can strengthen your immune system and increase your body's ability to fight off bacteria, microbes, germs, parasites, and other harmful invaders.
Your gut is also responsible for hormone creation, such as serotonin. This is a hormone that heavily affects your mood. That's why a greens supplement can help improve your mood and natural energy levels for the day!
Can Greens Supplements Substitute Fresh Vegetables?
The short answer is "No." Nothing can replace the benefits that fresh, leafy greens have for you.
But that doesn’t mean a good supplement can’t help. A high-quality green superfoods supplement is a great addition to a nutrition plan!
We already know most people aren't consuming enough vegetables. However, it’s not just about “getting in more vegetables.”
The major benefits of a green superfoods supplement, and why it is a good addition to most everyone's plan, are the phytonutrients you receive!
Are There Downsides of Taking a Greens Superfood Supplement?
Really, there aren't any negatives to taking a greens supplement. At least when using a high-quality product the right way. What I mean is that the “negatives” would be self-induced.
For example, if you take a green superfoods supplement and think you no longer need to eat your veggies or as many ... you are actually going to be hindering your progress. You'd be cutting out your fiber intake, and you still need to focus on eating nutritious fruits and veggies.
Greens supplements typically don’t have high amounts of fiber in relation to the nutrients you receive. For that reason, vegetables in your diet will also help keep you regular.
How Do You Use Greens Supplements?
When it comes to using a greens supplement, the possibilities are endless.
Most people will mix their greens supplement with water or in a protein shake! It's as simple as throwing in a serving with the recommended amount of liquid and shaking it up for 15-30 seconds.
But if you need/want to mix up the taste, you can also add a greens supplement to plenty of other things such as...
• Juice
• Smoothies
• 0 or Low-Calorie Water Enhancers/Sweeteners
• Pre-Workout
• BCAAs or other Amino Acid Powders
• Some Foods, Dressings, Etc.
The list goes on and on! The most important thing is to use your green superfoods supplement every single day.
It doesn’t matter as much when you get your greens in as it does to just make sure you are getting them in!
What Are Good Ingredients in Greens Supplements?
Well, there are quite a few. Actually, I could list dozens and dozens.
But the truth of the matter is, if you understand what green superfoods deliver as far as phytonutrients go ... you want a diverse profile of those nutrients.
You also need to have an effective dose of these nutrients in your greens supplement to get the benefits. You don't need to know as much about each and every individual ingredient.
I do, however, want to highlight a few for you!
Wheatgrass
With vitamin A, vitamin C, and vitamin E, wheatgrass is a powerful antioxidant ingredient that can help reduce your risk of major diseases.
Many greens supplements have either wheatgrass or barley grass because they are so comparable in benefits and nutrition. A great green superfood supplement will typically have both!
While there is some overlap, they both have unique phytonutrients that can benefit you.
Spirulina
Spirulina is also one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can find. It’s a type of blue-green algae with a ton of great benefits! Because of that, spirulina is one of the world’s most popular superfoods. It's a fantastic source of antioxidants, which can help protect against oxidative damage.
Its main active component is called phycocyanin. This antioxidant substance also gives spirulina its unique blue-green color. Phycocyanin can help fight free radicals and inhibit the production of inflammatory signaling molecules. This provides impressive antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Digestive Enzymes
The body secretes different enzymes to help effectively break down foods we eat. These enzymes can be found in the mouth and all the way through the digestive system.
Lifestyle habits, as well as aging or medical conditions, can negatively impact your body's ability to produce enough digestive enzymes. This can lead to indigestion, bloating, gas, nausea, constipation, and even diarrhea.
I mean, let's be honest ... None of us want to deal with any of these issues. So, supplementing your lifestyle with a greens superfood supplement that has digestive enzymes can help alleviate these uncomfortable symptoms of poor digestion.
Probiotics
Probiotics are bacteria that line your digestive tract. These healthy gut bacteria can help support your immune system, reduce inflammation, aid in digestion, improve proper hormone production, and even increase your mood.
Several studies show that probiotics can also help with irritable bowel syndrome, gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and other indicators of poor digestive health.
As I said above, each company's blend of ingredients will be a little different. There are many great ingredients I didn't mention here as well.
In my opinion, the ones I talked about above should definitely be in your greens superfood supplement.
What Makes Up a High-Quality Greens Superfood Supplement?
As I am sure you can imagine, it comes down to the ingredients. You want to use a green superfoods supplement that contains top-tier ingredients and enough of those ingredients. That way, you can actually get the benefits of the greens in the supplement.
Unfortunately, many companies will sprinkle ingredients in so they can put it on the label. but there is not enough of the ingredient to actually get any benefit from it.
That's like knowing you need a full tank of gas to get to your vacation destination … but when you go to put gas in, you only put in a 1/4 of a tank. It’s ineffective, and you won’t be happy with the results.
In the greens supplement world, always look for a product that utilizes organic greens and grasses. This ensures the items listed are free of synthetic additives like pesticides, chemical fertilizers, and dyes.
Another marker of a high-quality greens supplement is one that utilizes low-temperature-processed ingredients. This helps to ensure maximum bioavailability of the nutrients in the greens supplement.
You've probably heard that when you cook your vegetables, you denature some of the nutrients in them, rendering them useless for your body. Because of this, eating fresh veggies is seen as a better option!
Well, a similar thing applies here. The less heat the greens and grasses are exposed to during the dehydration and manufacturing process, the better!
Now, one thing that not all greens supplements have, but is an indicator of a high-quality greens supplement (and a huge benefit to you) is the addition of a probiotic. This is a supplement that contains healthy gut bacteria.
This can help ensure you have balanced, healthy bacteria in your gut. This can be essential for overall gut health. Plus, your gut health plays a huge role in your overall health and immune health.
Your health, your results, your immune system, and even your mood are heavily influenced by your gut health. The right balance of healthy bacteria and a healthy digestive tract is imperative to staying healthy and fit.
Not only will the good bacteria help fight off illness, but when your digestive tract is operating effectively, you will likely be able to better utilize the vitamins and minerals from your greens - and your other food and supplements.
Another benefit of better gut health is weight loss. There is more and more evidence to show that your gut health determines how your body stores the food you eat. It also influences how easy (or hard) it is for you to lose weight and how well your metabolism functions.
This is why a high-quality greens supplement will have digestive enzymes, probiotics, and other ingredients to help improve gut health.
The healthier your gut is, the better it can utilize the nutrients from the green superfoods ... as well as the other supplements and foods that you eat!
What are Greens Superfood Supplements: Summary and Recommendations
Greens supplements can be a great addition to almost everyone's nutrition plan!
They are not magic powders that will alleviate all of your symptoms, ailments, or issues. However, they can bring a host of benefits to your lifestyle when used consistently.
Greens supplements give you a significant serving of more vegetables and nutrients than most people could (or would) reasonably eat in one day. By using a high-quality, nutrient-dense greens powder, you can reap the benefits of superfoods that you probably can’t buy fresh ... or have as regular parts of your nutrition plan.
At 1st Phorm, our mission is to help real people earn real and long-term results. We know you don't take shortcuts when it comes to your health and fitness goals. That's why we don't take any shortcuts with the supplements to help support your goals.
Our greens superfood supplement, Opti-Greens 50, is no exception to that commitment. In fact, the "50" stands for the 50 diverse ingredients you'll find in Opti-Greens 50.
Opti-Greens 50 contains organic grasses, veggies, fruits, herbs and more. The ingredients are also low-temperature processed! On top of that, Opti-Greens 50 really stands out by including digestive enzymes and the DDSL-1 probiotic (the most researched probiotic on the market)!
Try Opti-Greens 50 today and I know you won't regret it!
If you have any questions or need any help in the meantime, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We have a full team of NASM Certified Personal Trainers and Nutrition Coaches right here in St. Louis, Missouri. Just give us a call at 1-800-409-9732 or send us an email at CustomerService@1stPhorm.com any day from 6 AM to 10 PM Central. We'll be more than happy to help in any way we can!
