The 5 Best Superfoods for Smoothies

Smoothies are one of the easiest tasty treats to make when trying to maintain healthy eating habits. Made with chia seeds, cacao powder, hemp seeds, acai berries, almond milk, or flax seeds, smoothies can provide many health benefits to help you feel mentally and physically.

When searching for the best superfoods for smoothies, it’s a good idea to combine fruits and veggies onto your list. They’ll allow you to create a wide variety of drinks that range from light and sweet to bold and filling.

Whether you like to drink healthy smoothies for weight loss or enjoy them after a workout, these top superfoods will enhance your recipes with high doses of essential vitamins, nutrients, and nutritional plant compounds.

What Are Superfoods?

Superfoods, as their name implies, contain an extraordinary amount of vitamins, minerals, and unique plant compounds you won’t get anywhere else. They include typical produce you already know, like spinach and broccoli, and some you might not recognize, like maca (we’ll get to that in a moment). 

People eat superfood smoothies to support total body wellness. Science shows numerous health benefits to superfoods, including a lower risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and increased immunity.

Antioxidants are among the benefits found in superfoods, and they are thought to prevent cancer and other diseases by lowering oxidative stress on the body. They target free radicals, which have been linked to oxidative stress and many human diseases.

Salmon, for instance, has essential fatty acids that can help avoid heart disease. High-fiber meals, like kale, can aid with weight loss efforts by promoting healthy digestion and a feeling of fullness with the incorporation of healthy fats.

Best Superfoods to Include In Your Next Smoothie

If you’re looking to boost gut health, improve energy, and support your body more than ever, these are the best superfoods for smoothies to try.

1. Matcha

Matcha is everywhere these days, but it’s got a lot more to offer than just its beautiful green hue! The green powder comes from matcha tea leaves, which grow natively in Kyoto and Nishio, Japan. 

Impressive health benefits of matcha include lower inflammation, lower oxidative stress, improved cognitive function, and enhanced memory. You can add a scoop of matcha powder to smooth oat milk or coconut milk paired with a banana for an easy, creamy smoothie.

It also makes a great complimentary ingredient for fibrous, spinach-based smoothies that fill you up.

You’ll often find matcha and other leafy greens in the best greens powder, so consider adding a scoop of your preferred brand the next time you make green smoothies for your next workout.

2. Goji Berries

The sweet tang of goji berries adds flavor and complexity to your favorite healthy smoothie recipes. These berries grow natively in Asia and are easily recognizable thanks to their unique teardrop shape and bright red coloring. 

Also called wolfberry in the United States, this fruit contains vitamins A and C, iron, and fiber. They may help manage weight loss, improve sleep, and strengthen your immune system. 

Try goji berries as an alternative to your favorite berries. They pair best with strawberries or are a delicious contrast in a kale, spinach, and dragon fruit blend.

Coconut milk can pair well with the goji berry, especially when you pair it with acai for a tropical smoothie.

3. Maca Powder

Maca hails from Peru, and this plant’s roots are ground to create a fine powder that adds a nutty flavor to your smoothies. Maca is a superfood because it contains high quantities of vitamin C, copper, and zinc. 

You can also turn to maca as a good source of macronutrients, like carbs, proteins, and fiber. Interestingly, it also provides a dose of all eight essential amino acids. 

Drinking smoothies with maca powder can help ward off sickness while lowering oxidative stress and inflammation. Thanks to its nutty taste, it pairs well with chocolate, peanut butter, and banana.

4. Cacao 

Cacao is the bittersweet seed of the beloved cocoa plant. There are many superfood benefits to cacao, including its ultra-high magnesium content. Magnesium is crucial to healthy energy production and proper muscle and nerve function.

People with magnesium deficiencies don’t usually have symptoms, but they can be at a higher risk for complications like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and osteoporosis.

Just one ounce of cacao nibs packs an astonishing 64 mg of magnesium. To put that into perspective, the average banana has 32 mg.

The Cacao seed is also a good fiber, iron, potassium, and protein source.

You can top healthy smoothie recipes with cocoa nibs or use them as a primary ingredient for a chocolate banana extravaganza. It’s also great with berries, spinach, and tropical fruits, like mango and coconut. 

5. Wheatgrass

Wheatgrass has a strong taste, so you only need a little in a smoothie to enjoy it. While you might not love it solo, you can enjoy the superfood benefits of wheatgrass by having it included in one of the best super greens powders. Its bitter flavor may not be the tastiest on this list, but its high nutritional value makes it a great addition to smoothie recipes.

One tablespoon (8 g) of wheatgrass contains:

• 24 mg of calcium.
• 14% of your daily recommended value of fiber (4 g).
• 6% of your daily recommended value of iron (6 g).

It’s also rich in vitamins A, C, and E, amino acids, magnesium, and calcium.

Wheatgrass can help infuse your smoothie with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which make it beneficial for improving digestive health.

Final Thoughts

Whether you eat them whole or opt for a greens powder, superfoods make smoothies even better. Most of us think of smoothies as healthy drinks to begin with, and the right superfoods can drastically increase their nutritional value without requiring a large number of ingredients so you can reach optimal health without hurting your wallet.

Navigating the world of superfoods can sometimes be overwhelming, especially with a multitude of options available in the market. Among the rising stars in the health world, one has captured the attention of many health enthusiasts - the best green powder supplement. This powdered blend often combines various green superfoods, ensuring you get a concentrated dose of nutrients in every scoop.

Merging seamlessly with any smoothie, these powders have made it incredibly easy to incorporate an array of beneficial ingredients, such as spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, and more, all in one go. So the next time you're whipping up your favorite smoothie, consider adding a scoop of the best green powder supplement to supercharge its nutritional value.