Your Villa Magazine - Riverside - October-December 2022

H E A L T H + B E A U T Y Are Green Smoothies Really Healthy? By Karla Adams, professional athlete with over 25 years’ experience in exercise Science and Sports Nutrition. The green smoothie trend has taken the wellness world by storm. From green smoothie detoxes, green juice powders and green “cleanses”, many consider a daily smoothie essential to good health. Making a smoothie with vegetables and fruits can be a great way to take in a surprising amount of healthy nutrients. But have we taken this smoothie craze too far? What are Green Smoothies? When we say green smoothies, we do not mean a smoothie with food coloring in it. Instead, a green smoothie is a shake that is blended with fresh leafy greens, such as spinach, kale or other such greens. Since greens alone can make for a bitter-tasting smoothie, there are combinations that improve its flavor profile and add nutrition. Some people add fruits like kiwi, apple, mango, etc. These are good samples of healthy all natural sugars. When sugar comes from fruits, fiber and nutrient are present, and it’s a one ingredient whole food. Natural sugars are a great way to add flavor. However, adding processed sugar or other processed ingredients can improve the flavor, they can also added in an unwanted tax to your healthy shake. Are Green Smoothies Healthy? So, how can a green smoothie be bad? It has everything good in it, right? Yes, dark green leafy greens can be powerfully healthy. After all, they contain antioxidants like beta-carotene, lutein and zeaxanthin. They can help fight cancer, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and help increase Ph Levels. Most health trends have their good and bad parts. And the green smoothie trend is no different. So let’s look at the top benefits and dangers so you can adjust your daily drink to fit the clean living, healthy lifestyle you are likely looking for when you down the delicious green treat. Many Fruits and Veggies are High in Fiber Diseases start in the gut. Most people are not getting enough fiber in their diet. In fact, only 5 percent of people in the US meet the recommended daily target of 25 grams for women and 38 grams for men. Green smoothies contain soluble fiber (from fruits) and insoluble fiber (from the green veggies). Both are very beneficial for stabilizing blood sugar and preventing a whole host of health problems, including type II diabetes. The good news is that fruit blended into smoothies does not lose its fiber because you are using the whole fruit, not just the juice. The raw fruits and veggies in green smoothies contain a type of fiber known as prebiotics. These prebiotics are basically “food” for your friendly gut bacteria. The more prebiotics your gut bacteria can feed on, the more gut bacteria you will have. When you get your gut bacteria is in balance, it becomes much easier to lose weight, balance your hormones, fight inflammation or get rid of constipation and bloating. Sneaky Processes Sugar Can Be Harmful Sugar is the most common, harmful hidden danger in your green drink. Drinking a smoothie that is high in sugar can actually cause the same energy spikes and drops as a donut! These sugar highs and the resultant stress on the liver and hormonal system can cause metabolic derangement over time. Medical professionals and dietician have likened the addictive properties of sugar to that of cocaine. You heard that right! And did you know that getting a green smoothie at a juice bar probably has even more sugar lurking in its creamy goodness? Making your smoothie at home allows you to monitor and control the amount of sugar added to your meal replacement. 30 | YourVilla Magazine For more information, you can meet with me or attend one of my Kaiser Permanente Medicare Health Plans seminars. Please call: You must reside in the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan service area in which you enroll. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call TTY 711. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. 393 E. Walnut St. Pasadena, CA 91188-8514 Y0043_N00015450_C Is your Medicare Coverage still right for you? Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist (TTY 711 ) Please recycle. 446781680 CA February 2020 Learn more at kp.org/medicare B arb ara S alaz ar-G arc ia 7 60-218-0 4 84 mykpagent.org/ b arb aras For more information, you can meet with me or atte f y Kais r erma ente dicare alth Plans s mi ars. l as call: You must reside in the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan service area in which you enroll. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call TTY 711. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. 393 E. Walnut St. Pasadena, CA 91188-8514 Y0043_N00015450_C Is y ur e icare vera e still ri ht f r y u? Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist (TTY 711 ) Please recycle. 446781680 CA February 2020 Learn more at kp.org/medicare B arb ara S alaz ar-G arc ia 7 60-218-04 84 mykpagent.org/ b arb aras F r r i f r ati , y ca t it r tt f y ai r r a t i ar lt la s i ars. l a call: You ust reside in the Kaiser Per anente edicare health plan service area in hich you enroll. For acco odations of persons ith special nee t ti ll . i er Foundation ealth Plan, Inc. 393 E. alnut St. Pasadena, 91188-8514 0 _ _ I r i r r till ri t f r i r r te e icare s ecialist (TT ) Please recycle. 446781680 CA February 2020 Lear re at k . r / icar B arb ara S alaz ar-G arc ia 7 - -04 84 y t. / b b s For more information, you can meet with me or attend one of my Kaiser Permanente Medicare Health Plans seminars. Please call: You must reside in the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan service area in which you enroll. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call TTY 711. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. 393 E. Walnut St. Pasadena, CA 91188-8514 Y0043_N00015450_C Is your Medicare Coverage still right for you? Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist (TTY 711 ) Please recycle. 446781680 CA February 2020 Learn more at kp.org/medicare Elena Esquivel 619-952-0806 mykpagent.org/elenae For more information, you can meet with me or atte of my Kais r erma ente dicare H alt la s s mi ars. l as call: You must reside in the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan service area in which you enroll. For accommodations of persons with special needs at meetings call TTY 711. Kaiser Foundation Health Plan, Inc. 393 E. Walnut St. Pasadena, CA 91188-8514 Y0043_N00015450_C Is y ur e icare vera e still right for you? Kaiser Permanente Medicare specialist (TTY 711 ) Please recycle. 446781680 CA February 2020 Learn more at kp.org/medicare Elena Esquivel 619-952-0806 mykpagent.org/elenae F r r i f r ati , y ca t it r tt f my ai r r a t i ar lt l i ars. l a call: You ust reside in the Kaiser Per anente edicare health plan service area in hich you enroll. For acco odations of persons ith s i l at eetings call TTY 711. Kaiser Foundation ealth Plan, Inc. 393 E. alnut St. Pasadena, 91188- _ _ I r i r r aiser er e te e icare s ecialist (TT ) Please recycle. 446781680 CA February 2020 Lear re at k . r / icar l squivel 619-952-0806 yk a e t. r /ele ae