May Help Prevent Disease The fruits and vegetables you put in your smoothie contain a wide range of nutrients that may help ward off disease. One of these nutrients is phytochemicals. Pat Crocker reports in her book, "The Smoothie Bible," that adding fresh fruits and vegetables to your smoothie is one way to increase the amount of phytochemicals, the beneficial compounds found in plant foods, to your diet. Increasing your intake of phytochemicals may cut your risk of many dangerous health problems, including cancer, heart disease and arthritis. Packed with Vitamins When you load your smoothie with a variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, 100 percent juice and nonfat yogurt, you are adding many different vitamins to your diet. Depending on what fruits and vegetables you choose, you will get several vitamins from your smoothie. Orange fruits and vegetables, such as carrots and cantaloupe provide vitamin A for healthy eyes. Citrus fruits, pineapple and tomatoes provide vitamin C for a healthy immune system. Add some wheat germ for a boost of vitamin E or a banana for a dose of B vitamins, Crocker recommends. Loaded with Minerals Smoothies that use fresh fruits and vegetables, and other healthy ingredients, supply a wide range of beneficial minerals as well. Fruits and vegetables contain a good amount of fiber for proper digestion and absorption of nutrients. Nonfat yogurt supplies calcium and protein for your smoothie and spinach adds magnesium and iron. Other minerals present in most fruit or vegetable based smoothies include manganese for healthy bones and nerves, phosphorus for healthy muscles and potassium for the health of your heart. Read more: livestrong/article/408247-why-smoothies-are-healthy/#ixzz2XGAja9jD
Posted on: Tue, 25 Jun 2013 19:57:30 +0000