Super greens – 2 Tips On Choosing The Right One

Once considered a specialist product for health food fanatics, super greens are becoming an increasingly popular choice for ordinary families up and down the country. But what exactly are super greens, how will you benefit from adding them to your weekly shopping list and most importantly, how do you go about selecting the right one for you? 

Super greens in a nutshell 

Super greens are a sub category of super food that includes a variety of vegetables, grasses and grains such as kale, chard, arugula (AKA rocket) and broccoli. They are instantly recognisable from their trademark vivid green colour and powerful flavour. Super greens can also be purchased in concentrated supplement forms including spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass and barley grass powder, which are particularly useful for those who want to address any existing nutrient deficiencies (especially vegetarians, vegans or those on a raw food diet) as quickly as possible. By definition super greens are rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients and antioxidants and as such make a valuable addition to a modern diet that is often lacking in these essential nutrients.

The many health benefits associated with super greens 

Comprehensive research has revealed that by incorporating large amounts of super greens in your diet, you can actually help decrease your risk of obesity and a number of contemporary illnesses such as cancer and diabetes.

Indeed, scientists from the University of Illinois recently reported that eating broccoli and kale at least 3 times per week, could help combat cancer, whilst researchers in Saudi Arabia found that consuming regular quantities of arugula may help prevent stomach ulcers. Meanwhile chard has demonstrated an impressive ability to control blood sugar levels in animals and may therefore prove beneficial for diabetics.

Choosing the right super green supplement for you

Including a variety of super green vegetables, grasses and grains is one way to obtain a healthy dose of green nutrients. However, if you lack the time to plan your weekly shop or don’t fancy getting too creative in the kitchen, you can still receive your quota of super greens via one of the many powerful and widely available super green supplements. 

Our two most valuable tips on selecting the right super green supplements are: 

1) Choose for high quality, organic super green supplements wherever possible 

Always go for organic super greens that have been produced in a sustainable manner. Not only is it better for our environment, it also guarantees that your super green supplement retains as many of its beneficial nutrients as possible. 

2) Select a super green supplement that will address your specific goals 

Super greens are powerful tools that can be harnessed to achieve a variety of different results including detox, weight loss, disease prevention, increased energy levels and enhanced mental clarity, awareness, and memory. Understanding your own personal goals before purchasing your super green supplement will help you identify the right super greens for you. Below is a quick guide to the most common super green supplements.

Spirulina 

Spirulina is a blue-green algae that boasts a selection of readily absorbable nutrients such as carotenoids, essential fatty acids and pre-digested protein. Together these strengthen our immune system and aid with weight loss, so these super greens are ideal for those fighting to stay slim. Once given to Aztec warriors to increase their strength and resilience, today spirulina is a favourite with top athletes, who use it to improve their sports performance. And because spirulina balances our intestinal flora, it can help those suffering from common yeast infections such as Candida Albicans. 

Chlorella

Chlorella is green algae that is rich in a variety of essential nutrients including chlorophyll, protein, vitamins (including B12), minerals, amino acids and nucleic acids, which help regulate our metabolism and support our immune system. Recent research from Japan suggests that chlorella could be effective in combatting obesity and a number of lifestyle conditions including diabetes and heart disease. Chlorella is also useful for those that want to detox and, like spirulina, is effective in preventing yeast overgrowths. 

Wheatgrass and Barleygrass 

Wheatgrass and barleygrass are delicate, young super greens, which are packed with proteins and brimming with digestive enzymes that help boost our immunity and delay the signs of aging. According to leading UK nutritionist, Gillian McKeith, barley grass contains more protein than a sirloin steak, five times the amount of iron as broccoli, seven times more vitamin C than orange juice and 11 times more calcium than milk. These super greens are a great choice for vegetarians, vegans and raw foodists who often experience a lack protein and iron in their diet.