Do I Need To Take A Greens Supplement?
In recent years, there’s been a surge in the popularity of greens supplements, touted for their numerous health benefits and convenience. But where did this "green revolution" originate, and what factors have contributed to its widespread adoption? Keep reading to find out (and discover some potential downsides of these supplements)
Greens Supplements - Origins
The concept of consuming greens for health benefits is by no means new. Traditional cultures around the world have long recognised the nutritional value of vegetables and plants. From the ancient Greeks to indigenous peoples, there has been a deep-seated understanding of the importance of incorporating greens into one's diet for overall well-being.
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However, the modern-day trend of greens supplements can be traced back to the increasing awareness of nutritional deficiencies in contemporary diets. With the rise of ultra processed foods and hectic lifestyles, many find it challenging to consume an adequate amount of fruits and vegetables daily, thus leading to the rise in a convenient healthy supplement.
Greens Supplements – Why The Recent Boom?
Several factors have contributed to the popularity of greens supplements in today's health and wellness landscape:
Convenience: In a fast-paced world where time is of the essence, greens supplements offer a quick and easy way to boost daily nutrient intake. With just a scoop of powder or a few capsules, one can obtain a concentrated dose of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients without the need for extensive meal preparation or shopping for fresh produce.
Convenience is a key factor in the rise of daily greens supplements
Nutritional Density: Greens supplements often contain a diverse array of nutrient-dense ingredients including spinach, kale, spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass and often much more. These ingredients are packed with vitamins (such as vitamin C, vitamin K and folate), minerals (such as iron, calcium and magnesium) and phytonutrients (such as chlorophyll and carotenoids), offering a comprehensive nutritional boost in a concentrated form.
Alkalising Properties: Many greens supplements are marketed for their alkalising properties which studies have shown help balance the body's pH levels and promote overall health. The abundance of alkaline-forming ingredients in greens supplements, such as leafy greens and algae, has undoubtedly contributed to their appeal among health-conscious consumers.
Detoxification Support: Our Ultimate Daily Greens aid detoxification because they include ingredients like chlorella and spirulina which are proven to rid the body of toxins and support optimal liver function.
Adaptability: Greens supplements can be easily incorporated into various dietary preferences and lifestyles including vegan, vegetarian, paleo and ketogenic diets. They can be consumed on their own mixed with water or added to smoothies, juices, yogurt or other recipes, making them versatile options for individuals with diverse dietary needs and preferences.
So whether you're looking to optimise your nutrition, support your body's detoxification processes or simply add more greens to your diet, greens are a superb addition to most people's diet.
However, all greens supplements are not created equal. Let's take a look at why some aren't all they're cracked up to be.
Homemade is great but not so convenient (or, in some instances cost-effective)
Greens Supplements - Cons
Cost: Some greens supplements are hugely expensive, particularly the most famous brands (you probably know the one!) because they spend a huge amount on marketing and advertising and thus need to add this cost to price of the product.
Thus you could ask yourself: Do I want to pay for the ingredients that I'm actually getting? Or do I want to pay for celebrity endorsements?
Potential for Contamination: Because greens supplements are derived from various plants and algae, there is a risk of contamination with heavy metals (as with any type of plant) but this is why organic ingredients are important here.
Organic makes all the difference because you get the quality and rest assured that pesticides haven't been used. This is why we only use 100% organic ingredients in our Ultimate Daily Greens (surprisingly, this isn't the case for many of the big brands either.)
Handmade, organic greens are best! Get yours
SOME Are Worse Than Whole Foods: This one depends on the ingredients of your greens supplement. If your greens supplement is created using whole food ingredients, then you still have the full range of nutrients, beneficial compounds and all the fibre.
In contrast, in lower quality products many ingredients are synthetic and ultra-processed, thus have lost any nutritional value they may have originally had.
Digestive Issues: Some experience digestive discomfort, such as bloating or gas, when first introducing greens supplements into their diet. But this is due to the use of ultra-processed foods, not the supplement itself.
Ultimate Daily Greens - your award-winning, cost-effective greens supplement
Greens Supplements - Conclusion
Greens supplements offer a convenient and efficient way to increase your daily nutrient intake and support overall health and well-being. However, not all greens supplements are created equal, so it's important you check the ingredients label to ensure you recognise everyone on the pack as a whole-food ingredient, and that there's zero ultra-processed ingredients or processes present either.
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