Smoothie drinks are one of the most, if not the most, nutritious drinks in the planet. This nutrition is derived from the ingredients that are mixed into them, mostly fruits and vegetables. Nature made fruits and vegetables as powerhouse sources of vitamins and minerals; and we get these substances as well when we enjoy a glass of smoothie. In addition, smoothie drinks have zero or very little fat, making them very popular with weight watchers.
Smoothies are prepared using a blender, which is an effective means of extracting nutrients from the ingredients. Plant cells have wall that house the nutrients inside them. When we eat raw food, chewing breaks down these walls and the nutrients inside are released for the body to absorb. With smoothies, the nutrients are already released through blending, which breaks down the cell walls more efficiently than chewing. The body starts to absorb the nutrients contained in the smoothie immediately upon drinking.
Unlike juicing which squeezes out the liquid content of fruits and vegetables, blending includes the pulp and thus smoothie drinks are full of fiber. It is because of the fiber content that smoothie drinks are considered by many as a worthy substitute for complete meal, because it leaves the drinker feeling full. In addition, the fiber allows for the sustained release of nutrients over time so there are no fluctuations in the levels of blood sugar. This is why smoothies are effective defenses against sugar cravings.
Almost all types of fruits work well with smoothies but the most popular ones are strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, mangoes, pineapple, peaches and banana. Frozen fruit can also be used and is in fact used by those who want their smoothie drinks to be creamier. The kinds of vegetables that blend well with fruits are leafy greens. All these ingredients, when combined into a single drink, create a mixture that is bursting with vitamins, minerals and enzymes that are very beneficial to health. Some of these are Vitamins A, C and E, potassium, magnesium, folic acid, zinc, B vitamins, calcium, antioxidants, phosphorus and beta-carotene. These substances result in a body that is better protected against cancer and cardiovascular diseases, has a stronger immune system, digests food better, has more energy and is more mentally alert.
In stressful situations, it is better to consume smoothies that eat solid food. This is because solid food competes with other body functions during the digestion process. Smoothie drinks, on the other hand, are liquids and the nutrients they contain pass directly from the digestive tract into the bloodstream. Thus, absorption time is considerably lessened.
The benefits that these drinks provide are enough to convince anyone that they are indeed superior to other beverages. For those who believe that health should be a priority, smoothie drinks should be made a significant part of the day.
A low-fat smoothie is easy to prepare once you know how. Click on the link to find out more.