This smoothie is a go to when I feel like my body needs a little extra cleansing, whether that is from over indulging in sweets or if I feel like I might be coming down with a cold. Even if you’re thinking “Ew, I don’t like beets”, this is a way to get them into your diet because they are masked by other flavors like sweet berries and creamy banana. PS, every time I make this I’m stunned by how beautiful it is.
Add the following into a blender:
½ cup cooked beets (in a pinch I use unsalted canned beets)
2 handfuls of greens (I prefer kale)
1-1 ½ cups almond or coconut milk
½ cup frozen berries
½ frozen banana
1 teaspoon chia seeds
If you have fresh berries and/or banana, throw in a handful of ice, then BLEND!
Top 3 Benefits of Beets:
1. TONS of Antioxidants
The antioxidants in beets come from a compound called betalain, which gives beets their deep red color. Betalain is being studied for it’s use in eye and nerve tissue health. In addition, betalain is a special because it is only found in a few other foods (rhubarb, chard, amaranth).
2. They Promote Detoxification
Detoxification is a complicated process, but one that is incredibly important due to the amount of toxins that we’re exposed to on a daily basis. Whether that is exhaust of another car when you’re driving with your windows open, the pesticides that are used on the food we eat or the heavy metals that are found in unfiltered water or dental amalgams. The compounds in beets promote phase 2 detox, which your body uses to get rid of the garbage it doesn’t want. This makes it a great choice for people with skin issues like acne.
3. Dampens Inflammation
The phytonutrients in beets act like a natural ibuprofen, they inhibit multiple inflammatory pathways called cyclo-oxygenases. This leads to protection of the blood vessels in the body, which is important for people with cardiovascular disease and diabetes because these conditions stem from vessel damage.