The Benefits of a Smoothie Cleanse
Smoothies are great in so many ways. They are:
- full of vitamins, enzymes, and minerals
- easy to digest, which means optimal assimilation of nutrients
- great for stabilizing blood sugar
- an easy way to consume a variety of different fruits or vegetables at one time
- terrific for cleansing the body of toxicity
- an easy way to add more fiber to your diet for optimal bowel function
- a great source of natural energy
- the best on-the-go meal.
Smoothies and Gut Health
There is a direct link between the state of your digestive system and your overall health. In fact, many people don’t even realize how important the gut actually is.
The majority of your immune system is located in your gut. Therefore, if your gut is unhealthy, your entire body is unhealthy. It’s been shown that 9 out of 10 people who have autism also have a gut imbalance such as leaky gut and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), or have a high amount of bad bacteria in their gut.
To understand how smoothies play a role in gut health, you have to know the causes of gut imbalance. The first is an overworked digestive system. Just like you need a break from work, so does your digestive system. Imagine how you would feel if you worked 24/7? Smoothies allow your digestive system to rest while still giving it the nutrients it needs. Allowing your digestive system to rest also conserves tons of energy.
Toxicity found in the foods we eat, the beauty products we apply, and even the air we breathe is a cause of gut problems. Smoothies provide your body with the nutrients it needs to work properly so that it’s able to self-cleanse and push out toxins.
First you’ll need to purchase a blender. There are countless options to choose from, but here are a few to research:
Vitamix is a super powerful blender that can blend smoothies, as well as make nut butters and soups. However, at around $499, it is a big investment.
Blendtec is another option similar to Vitamix and costs approximately $350. So it’s slightly cheaper while still having great power.
When cost is a factor in the purchase decision, the NutriBullet is a great alternative to the more expensive options as it costs around $99.
Ingredients
Making a smoothie might seem pretty basic, but there are countless options to choose from. Here are five choices you’ll need to make:
- Choose the liquid – water, coconut water, or dairy-free milk like almond, coconut or hemp.
- Choose the greens – kale, spinach, parsley, swiss chard, collards, or lettuce.
- Choose the fruit – banana, apple, berries, mango, etc. You can also leave out the fruit if you want to reduce your sugar intake.
- Choose the fat/protein – hemp seeds, hemp protein, Sunwarrior protein, coconut oil, nut butters, avocado, flax, or chia seeds.
- Choose the superfood – maca, raw cacao, bee pollen, shredded coconut, goji berries, spirulina, Camu Camu, or any other of your choosing.
Tips & Tricks
- If the morning is chilly, or you are a cool-bodied person by nature, add warming spices to your smoothie to improve digestion and nutrient assimilation. Try using cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, turmeric, or cayenne. I suggest starting with a dash and then increasing to 1/2 teaspoon. If you are a warm-bodied person by nature, you can add in cooling spices, such as mint, cilantro, or cardamom.
- If you cannot tolerate higher glycemic smoothies, exchange the banana for an avocado.
- Invest in mason jars or other BPA-free plastic containers to drink your smoothie in, and some stainless steel straws.
- For an extra boost of protein in the morning, feel free to add protein powder of you choice.
- Create your shopping list and buy the ingredients for a few days’ worth of smoothies.
Smoothie Cleanse Recipes
There are a total of 14 smoothie recipes to download for free here. No email required.
