We are often told that we should eat our greens, but not many of us actually understand just how important they are. Green vegetables, and in particular super greens, are amazing nutritional powerhouses and incorporating them into your diet offers a whole host of health benefits to your body.

Joanna Sochan, Naturimedica’s highly trained and experienced online naturopath, specialises in gut health and is passionate about helping people become the best versions of themselves, naturally. From a spinach salad to a super green smoothie, here’s a little information on what super greens are and how beneficial they can be to your diet.

Superfoods are whole foods that offer maximum nutritional benefits

Low in calories and extremely nutrient dense, superfoods are usually plant-based foods packed with a wide array of vitamins, antioxidants and minerals that improve general health and wellbeing. Super greens are an excellent example of superfoods.

Whether it’s dark leafy vegetables, grasses or herbs eaten whole or made into powders for smoothies and juices, super greens aren’t necessarily rare foods, in fact many can be easily purchased from your local supermarket or greengrocer.

Some common super green vegetables include:

Kale

Originating in early Green and Roman culture, Kale is one of the most nutrient-dense foods you can consume. A member of the cruciferous vegetable family, Kale is a dark, leafy green vegetable low in calories and rich in fibre, proteins, vitamins such as iron and potassium, and disease-fighting phytochemicals.

Kale is packed with a variety of anti-inflammatory compounds, including flavonoids, vitamin K, and omega-3 fatty acids so it may help to protect our bodies from the adverse health effects of chronic inflammation.

Kale is also incredibly rich in antioxidants, a class of compounds that fight oxidative damage. Antioxidants keep our cells healthy, decreasing the signs of aging such as dull hair and saggy skin.

Broccoli

The benefits of broccoli are often underestimated. Rich in nutrients such as carbohydrates, protein fibre, calcium, vitamin C and vitamin K, as well as antioxidant properties and anti-inflammatory compounds which helps to keep our digestive tracts healthy.

Broccoli also contain compounds known as glucosinolates, these are known to offer unique anti-cancer benefits. Additionally, the vitamin K and calcium found in broccoli work to support strong bones.

Spinach

Spinach is filled with antioxidants, including vitamin C and beta-carotene, as well as lutein and zeaxanthin — two elements which offer excellent sun protection for the eyes and helps to prevent macular degeneration.

Spinach also provides high levels of for vitamin K, which plays an important role in both cardiovascular and bone health.

We can’t talk about spinach without mentioning that it is an amazing source of iron, which keeps your blood cells healthy and helps carry oxygen throughout your body.

Super green powders are a great way to add extra nutrients to your diet

Green powders are dietary supplements designed to help you reach your daily recommended vegetable intake, they can be mixed into water or added to juices and smoothies for an extra nutrient hit. Powders generally contain a mix of the foods outlined above as well as many of the below:

Seaweed – Spirulina, chlorella, dulse, kelp

Grasses – Barley grass, wheatgrass, oat grass

High-antioxidant fruits – Blueberries, raspberries, goji and acai berries

They may also contain nutritional extracts such as green tea extract, grape seed extract, ginkgo biloba extract as well as probiotics and extra fibre such as rice bran, inulin, apple fibre.

Let’s take a look at 2 common green powder components

Chlorella

A type of green algae found in freshwater, this superfood is densely packed with essential nutrients such as vitamin C, iron, calcium, zinc, and protein and it is rich source of omega-3 fatty acids, and other phytonutrients.

Chlorella has shown promise in helping the body flush out toxic heavy metals that can contribute to neurological diseases, cancer, general fatigue, and more.

Barley grass

The leaf of the barley plant, barley grass is loaded with countless nutrients, making it worthy of its use in super green powders.

Barley grass is known to support gut health by helping digestion, which in turn protects against digestive discomfort and illnesses.

It also contains nutrients known as saponarins which have a potent antioxidant activity which may help protect the liver.

Thanks to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, it can also be used as a natural therapy for rheumatoid arthritis

What are the benefits of including super greens in your diet?

Adding whole super green foods or super green supplemental powders to your diet will go a long way in improving your health.

They can improve your immune system – Super greens are packed with the vitamins and minerals required to maintain a healthy immune system, including vitamin C (which helps prevent infections), and vitamin E (which is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect cells).

They facilitate healthy nails, skin and hair – Super greens are rich in vitamin B, D, and E, which are excellent and vital for healthy hair, tissue and nail growth. Many green powders also contain chlorophyll, which has amazing benefits for both skin and hair.

They improve gut health – If your digestive system isn’t working properly, you may have issues absorbing nutrients from food, and you may experience pain or discomfort. Most green super foods contain enzymes such as lipase, amylase, and protease that may help with your digestion.

Amylase helps break down carbohydrates into glucose, while lipase breaks down fat into smaller fatty acids absorbed in the small intestines. Protease enzymes break down proteins into amino acids. Amino acids are vital for processes such as the building of proteins and synthesis of hormones and neurotransmitters.

They can help to reduce bloating – As mentioned above, super greens provide enzymes that help with the digestion process. Better digestion lowers the chances of uncomfortable bloating.

Super greens are some of the healthiest foods available, and we are lucky to have easy access to them here in Australia. Packed full of nutrients shown to ward off disease and keep us feeling our best, super greens are an essential component of a balanced, healthy diet.

Stop searching for a Naturopath Near Me, Naturimedica is here to help

If you have been looking for an online nutritionist, Australia is lucky to have the experience and expertise of Joanna Sochan just a click away. Book a consultation online now, and work with Joanna to improve your gut health and live happy, healthy and well now and into the future.

She also is an expert hormone nutritionist, and a gut naturopath. Find out how a tailored blastocystis hominis diet or gut health diet can help improve your life.

Make that call, it could change your life!

Best of Health

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Joanna Sochan
Wholistic Health and Lifestyle Therapist
Natural and Lifestyle Solutions for Abundant Health

Additional resources

Disclaimer: The above material is for informational and/or educational purposes only. It should not be used to self-diagnose and it is not a substitute for a medical advice, diagnosis, treatment, prescription or recommendation. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should not make any changes in their health regimen or diet before first consulting a doctor or other qualified health provider with any questions they may have regarding a medical condition or their particular circumstances.

Joanna Sochan is a Natural Therapist and founder of Naturimedica Wholistic Wellcare. She has a passion for helping clients transform their lives by becoming healthy and well naturally. Joanna has 12+ years experience in clinical practice and has special interest in solving complex cases, gut health, food sensitivities, hormone imbalances, autoimmune disorders and weight loss. She helps clients individually (mostly online) Australia-wide and also offers online therapeutic programs, eCourses and self-help  eBooks. View full bio.

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