Why Green Drinks?

Soils Not So Green

Obtaining adequate nutrition from food is a thing of the past. Our soils are depleted of important minerals, therefore our crops are growing with little to no nutritional value. For example, the presence of Vitamin A has decreased from 41.1 to 100% in 6 items tracked, apple, banana, broccoli, onion, potato, tomato. Of them, both onion and potato saw a 100% loss of Vitamin A, in a 48 year span from 1951-1999. In an ideal world, we would eat our fruits and vegetables and receive the proper dose of vitamins and minerals our bodies require. Obtaining nutrients from consumption is always the best method, but this is no longer the case unless you grow your own fruits and vegetables or have a reliable source where you can obtain your food. So, you might be saying, “What is the alternative?” Have you tried a green drink lately?

 What Are Green Drinks?

Green drinks have gained recent popularity due to their nutritional value and people’s quest for wellness. “You are what you eat,” as the saying goes doesn’t hold much clout today. Actually, it’s never been more correct. We are a nutrient deficient, high calorie society that is sicker and more obese than ever. So what is all the hype pertaining to green drinks?

Superfoods

Green drinks are mixtures of superfoods such as chlorella, spirulina, bareley grass and are often referred to as ‘greens’. They contain a wide variety of organic vegetables, herbs and even fruits that are high in vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals and antioxidants. Green drinks are made by taking fresh vegetables, drying them and turning them into powder. The remainder is a dehydrated form of the original vegetables. This makes consuming them very convenient and quick. One green drink can contain up to five servings of fruits and vegetables.

Why Should We Consume Green Drinks?

As discussed earlier, our crops are grown in soil that is depleted of minerals. Mineral depleted soil yields nutrient depleted fruits and vegetables. There is argument over the issue to consume the nutrient depleted produce anyway, because there is still “some” nutritional value. To me that is very misleading. With the rising cost in food and the continuous decline in quality, it doesn’t seem like the best choice for the consumer. Unless of course you are growing your own organic foods in nutrient rich soil or buying from a reliable source.

Nutrients And Fiber

Regardless, incorporating green drinks into your diet is a wise decision. It provides an abundance of nutrients, essential vitamins and minerals and fiber. Dietary fiber is extremely important in maintaining proper gastrointestinal and cardiovascular health. It aids digestion, helps prevent constipation and is sometimes used for the  treatment of diverticulosis, diabetes and heart disease. Fiber is also beneficial in helping people that are overweight or obese by speeding the passage of food through the stomach and intestines.

Stay Fresh

Fruits and vegetables grown in mineral depleted soils have very little nutritional value. It is difficult to justify rising food costs in exchange for inadequate nutrition. Green drinks contain superfoods including phytochemicals and antioxidants. Easy to make and incorporate into your diet, green drinks are a healthy way to obtain essential nutrients that our bodies require. It is highly recommended to always go “Fresh,” and stay away from pre-made drinks such as Boathouse and Odwalla that tend to be loaded with sugar. Click for a list of green drink recipes.