Inflammation is a vital part of the body’s immune system. It occurs when the human body recognizes a foreign organism, such as microbes, viruses or bacteria. It is the body’s defense mechanism that serves to protect your health from threats.
However, inflammation can persist even when there are no foreign invaders present. When the inflammation process has been ongoing for too long or occurs when it is not needed, there is a risk of chronic inflammation. Your body’s defense mechanism that aims to protect, will end up inflicting damage on to its own tissue.
Chronic inflammation has been linked to certain diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes and can also lead to autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus. But the risk of illness can be reduced by keeping inflammation under control. That all starts with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
It certainly wouldn’t come as a surprise then, that fruits and vegetables have anti-inflammatory properties. High in antioxidants and polyphenols, tomatoes, blueberries, spinach, kale are examples of anti-inflammation food. And much of these ingredients can be found in a blend of vitamins and minerals: green powders.
What are Green Powders?
Green powders are dietary supplements that can help fulfill our daily nutritional needs. Brimming with goodness, simply mix a scoop of green powder into water. If it’s a little too raw and grassy for you, make a smoothie instead and add all your favorite fruits.
Green powders usually contain more than 20 to 40 ingredients. There are quite a few greens supplements on the market. Some brands, can have up to 75 ingredients others like to focus on fewer but more of each ingredient to ensure effectiveness, like our brand of super greens.
Green powders certainly do not scrimp on the diverse variety of ingredients they can offer to consumers in their blend. Most green powders contain leafy greens, high-antioxidant fruits, nutritional extracts, probiotics, and plant-based digestive enzymes.
We’ll be taking a closer look at the ingredient list to examine the anti-inflammatory effects of green powders.
Taking a Closer Look at the Ingredients List
Most green powders consist of vegetables and fruit; it’s no wonder that they are marketed to have anti-inflammatory effects that may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
Here is the list of ingredients to look out for in your choice of green powder!
Berries
Acai berries, blueberries, raspberries, goji berries.
These berries are known for their high antioxidant content. How exactly do antioxidants fight inflammation?
Antioxidants are molecules that serve to protect tissue from cellular damage by fighting free radicals, toxic compounds that can cause oxidative stress which can lead to chronic diseases. Thus, when antioxidants neutralize free radicals, counteracting the oxidative stress, this reduces inflammation.
Blueberries are known as a superfood, with one of the highest levels of antioxidants among all the fruits and vegetables. Research has shown that the antioxidants in blueberries may potentially slow down the deterioration of cognitive brain function and motor skills due to aging. This is because the antioxidants are able to neutralize the toxic free radicals, reducing inflammation, and protecting the central nervous system (CNS) (1).
Vegetables
Broccoli, Tomatoes, Spinach, Kale.
A cruciferous vegetable, broccoli is related to cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, and cabbage. This family of vegetables is one of the most nutrient-dense foods. Rich in sulforaphane, this antioxidant inhibits inflammation by reducing the levels of cytokines and NF-kB which promotes inflammation.
Sulforaphane also boosts the antioxidant capacity of cells through the promotion of phase 2 enzymes. These enzymes are antioxidant proteins that protect against oxidative damage triggered by injury and inflammation
Boiling broccoli actually lowers the levels of sulforaphane. This makes green powders a great solution, as ingredients are usually dried and grounded into a powder.
Tomatoes are also another example of nutrient-dense food. High in vitamin C and potassium, tomatoes also contain a significant antioxidant: Lycopene. A natural carotenoid found in tomatoes, it exhibits anti-inflammatory effects
Mushrooms
Maitake mushroom extract, shiitake mushroom extract
Very few mushrooms are edible. But mushrooms have been used as food and medicine for centuries as they offer immense health benefits. Mushrooms are not only low in calories, but they are also rich in minerals such as selenium and copper, with the added benefits of every B vitamin.
Selenium might be a trace mineral, where your body only requires a small amount of it, but it is still extremely vital and essential for your health. Selenium combines with proteins to form selenoproteins, a type of antioxidant that protects your body from oxidative stress from free radicals.
Nutritional Extracts
Green Tea Extract, Grape Seed Extract
Not only is green tea a hot favorite among tea drinkers, but it is also one of the healthiest beverages you can find. Many manufacturers have chosen to include it into their green powder blend in the form of green tea extract.
Known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, research has shown that green tea reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer, obesity, and other medical conditions. This is mainly due to a unique plant compound called catechin, also known as the epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG). A type of polyphenol, this compound is a potent antioxidant that inhibits oxidative damage to cells and suppresses the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals in the body, thereby reducing inflammation.
Grapes seeds are rich in antioxidants, which is why it is added in the form of a grape seed extract in many green blends. It includes antioxidants such as phenolic acids, anthocyanins, flavonoids, and oligomeric proanthocyanidin complexes. Grapes also contain resveratrol, another plant compound with antioxidant properties. The resulting high antioxidant content protects cells from oxidative stress and inflammation.
Half the Battle Won?
Green powders certainly give you an edge.
It’s easy and convenient; every anti-inflammatory food you need to battle against inflammation is in that single scoop. But it is not enough to simply add a daily scoop of green powder to your diet.
Fighting inflammation requires a change in your lifestyle and dietary habits. Avoid or cut down on foods that cause inflammation such as processed food or refined carbohydrates.
Why SuperGreen TONIK is a great choice
To wrap this up, one recommendation we have is the Super Greens Tonik, a supplement that can help fight inflammation. It has a lot of the crucial ingredients outlined above in the right amounts too, for their effects to come through.
Aim to have a healthy well-balanced diet; the Mediterranean diet alongside our greens powder could be a good place to start!
