10 Green Smoothie Recipes With Different Benefits
Green smoothies can be a good solution if you want to increase your intake of fruits and vegetables or simply diversify the way you consume them on a daily basis. By using different ingredients, they can provide multiple benefits for your health.
5-Minute Crafts has compiled 10 simple recipes to prepare juices and smoothies according to your needs.
1. Green juice with cucumber and apple (antioxidant, laxative)
What to put in the blender:
- 1 large cucumber
- 2 medium apples
- 2 celery stalks
- ½ of a lime
- Grated ginger to taste (optional)
Benefits:
This combination of ingredients is ideal if you want to start incorporating some more green smoothies into your diet. It contains ingredients that are easy to obtain and has several properties. Cucumber provides an important amount of antioxidants and, in turn, can reduce blood sugar levels.
On the other hand, celery can act as a natural anti-inflammatory and protect the digestive tract.
2. Green juice with coconut water and mango (moisturizing, anti-inflammatory)
What to put in the blender:
-
1 cup of coconut water
-
½ cup of baby spinach
-
½ of a banana
-
¾ of a mango (cut in big chunks)
- 1 tbsp of spirulina powder
- 1 tsp of chia seeds
Benefits:
This combination is ideal after prolonged exercise or at the end of an intense day. Coconut water contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium, which are all involved in the process of re-hydrating your body.
On the other hand, spinach and spirulina are considered to be foods with anti-inflammatory properties, so they might help to reduce fatigue in your muscles.
Drink this smoothie after training or performing activities that cause physical exhaustion.
3. Green juice with cucumber, celery, and broccoli (moisturizing, laxative)
What to put in the blender:
- 2 cucumbers
- 5 celery stalks
- 1 broccoli stalk
- ½ of an apple
- ½ of a lemon
Benefits:
Cucumber is composed mainly of water, making it a natural ingredient that helps hydrate your body. In turn, it can help lower blood sugar levels.
On the other hand, celery, like broccoli, contains a large amount of fiber, which promotes better and healthier digestion.
You can drink this juice during hot days to rehydrate.
4. Green juice with spinach and pineapple (vitamins, antioxidant)
What to put in the blender:
- 1 cup of fresh spinach
- 1 cup of coconut water
- ½ cup of pineapple chunks
- ¼ of an avocado
- ½ of a banana
Benefits:
Spinach provides vitamin C, which promotes healthy skin and immune function; and vitamin K1, which prevents blood from clotting.
Additionally, pineapples are a food loaded with vitamins and minerals and, in turn, also contain antioxidants that reduce the risk of developing chronic diseases, such as diabetes as well as some types of cancer.
5. Green juice with carrot, apple, and parsley (high in fiber, low in calories)
What to put in the blender:
- 1 medium carrot
- 3 sprigs of parsley
- 1 medium cucumber
- 2 apples
Benefits:
Carrots, much like apples, provide a feeling of satiety without adding too many calories to your meals, which makes them the perfect food to eat if you want to lose weight. On the other hand, they are a good source of vitamins B and K, minerals, and fiber.
Parsley, in addition to being rich in antioxidants, contains anticarcinogenic substances, such as flavonoids and vitamin C.
6. Green juice with apple and celery (high in fiber, antioxidant)
What to put in the blender:
- 1 apple
- 1 celery stalk
- Honey or stevia to taste
Benefits:
Apples provide pectin, which acts as a prebiotic feeding, which is sometimes known as the “good bacteria” in the digestive tract. On the other hand, apples also contain a large number of nutrients, such as fiber, vitamin C, potassium, and vitamin K.
Celery is a good source of antioxidants, which are able to protect cells and organs from oxidative damage. It also aids digestion through its high fiber content.
7. Green juice with orange and spirulina (anti-allergies, vitamins)
What to put in the blender:
- 2 oranges (without the white part)
- 1 cup of water
- 2 teaspoons of spirulina powder
Benefits:
In addition to being highly nutritious, spirulina contains antioxidants that can protect your organs from oxidative damage. It has also been shown to be effective in the treatment of seasonal allergies.
On the other hand, oranges provide different vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C and B1, folate, and potassium.
Drink this green smoothie whenever necessary, at the beginning or during spring.
8. Green juice with lime and kiwi (high in vitamin C and fiber)
What to put in the blender:
- 1 cup of water
- 1 peeled lime
- 4 medium kiwis
- 2 large pears, chopped and cored
- 3 tablespoons of honey (optional)
Benefits:
Limes are high in vitamin C, which as you probably know, can help the immune system work better against certain conditions. On the other hand, this same nutrient is involved in the production of collagen, a protein needed to keep your skin firm and elastic.
Then, kiwifruit, in addition to providing fiber, also contains a large amount of vitamin C, and can help regulate blood pressure. On the other hand, pears promote digestion and have anti-inflammatory properties.
9. Green juice with spinach, chia, and berries (vitamins, antioxidant)
What to put in the blender:
- 1 cup of baby spinach
- 1 ripe banana
-
¼ cup of strawberries
-
¼ cup of blueberries
-
¼ cup of blackberries
-
1 tsp of chia seeds
-
¾ cup of water or almond milk
Benefits:
Spinach contains nutrients, such as vitamins A and C, iron, and folate, which promote hair growth. Some seeds, such as chia, share this property with spinach due to their components, like selenium and zinc.
On the other hand, berries are a healthy source of antioxidants that protect hair follicles from harmful molecules.
10. Green juice with banana and avocado (high in healthy fats and vitamins)
What to put in the blender:
-
¾ cup of whole or skim milk
-
2 bananas
-
½ of an avocado
-
1 tbsp of honey or brown sugar
-
1 cup of ice (optional)
Benefits:
Bananas are a good source of potassium, carbohydrates, and vitamin B6, which help increase energy levels. Additionally, avocados contain healthy fats that are stored in the body for energy.
You can drink this smoothie before training or during busy days.