There’s just something about the blender that makes ingredients that are good for your body taste even better on your tastebuds. From dips to soups to our personal favorite—the smoothie —whirling up ingredients is a surefire way to make a deliciously creamy, smooth, and uniform beverage with zero fuss. […]
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There’s just something about the blender that makes ingredients that are good for your body taste even better on your tastebuds. From dips to soups to our personal favorite—the smoothie—whirling up ingredients is a surefire way to make a deliciously creamy, smooth, and uniform beverage with zero fuss. And unlike juicing, blending won't remove any of the nutritional benefits (looking at you, fiber) from your drink. Morning, afternoon, or evening, there’s just no better pick-me-up than an ice cold smoothie sipped through a straw that took all of 90 seconds to prepare.
In addition to their convenience, smoothies also present an easy opportunity to fit more heart-healthy, antioxidant-rich foods into your diet, particularly fresh or frozen produce. Given that the main ingredient of most smoothies tends to be a fruit or vegetable, many of these beverages are naturally anti-inflammatory, filled with fiber, and packed with important vitamins and minerals that are great for your cardiovascular system. In particular, the abundance of vitamin C and vitamin A (in the form of beta-carotene) in citrus fruits, strawberries, mangos, and more serve as key antioxidants, which help to reduce plaque buildup resulting from cholesterol, thereby preventing heart disease such as atherosclerosis. Other key smoothie ingredients—especially yogurt and kefir—are great sources of probiotics, which help you maintain a balanced gut microbiome. Gut health is an important part of keeping a strong immune system and has been linked to combating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and lowering your risk of chronic illnesses, including heart disease.
To help you up the ante on your smoothie-making repertoire, we’ve rounded up some of our favorite heart-healthy smoothie recipes that are as delicious as they are nutrient-dense.
8 heart-healthy smoothie recipes packed with anti-inflammatory benefits
1. 4-Ingredient Iced Banana Turmeric Smoothie
Inspired by some of the longest-living people on the planet, this heart-healthy smoothie comes together quickly and tastes like a spiced banana milkshake. The recipe hails from the team at Blue Zones, a team of researchers led by Dan Buettner that documents the habits of the five regions where the most centenarians exist (and you can bet that all four of these ingredients are part of the Blue Zones diet).
2. Chocolate Hazelnut Smoothie Bowl
Photo: Yumna Jawad/FeelGoodFoodie
For a great-tasting smoothie that can help you sleep better at night, check out this delicious combination of flavors from Feel Good Foodie. Use frozen bananas to add extra creaminess, and of course, a dollop of your favorite chocolate-hazelnut spread for a touch of sweetness.
3. Berry Smoothie with Spinach
We love this berry smoothie with spinach and probiotics from chef and Well+Good Council member Candice Kumai. Berries provide plenty of antioxidants and gut-friendly fiber, plus they help combat inflammation and support your immune system. Yogurt offers probiotics for even more gut health benefits, and spinach is a great source of plant-based iron for healthy bones.
4. Turmeric, Ginger, and Apple Spice Smoothie
Even among other superfoods, both turmeric and ginger stand out as particularly beneficial for your body. As a powerful anti-inflammatory herb, turmeric has been used for literal millenia to help humans stay strong and healthy. Ginger similarly packs a punch in terms of flavor, and it's super easy to digest (remember when Ginger Ale was your go-to beverage the second you got a stomach ache as a kid?). The fiber and pectin in apples makes this fruit a powerhouse for gut health, too.
5. Blueberry Coconut Smoothie
A favorite of Meghan Markle’s, this blueberry coconut smoothie packs a protein punch thanks to the addition of protein powder. Using frozen blueberries helps keeps this recipe simple to make in any season (as well as antioxidant-filled), and the addition of coconut gives this smoothie next level creaminess and tropical flavor.
6. Spa Smoothie
If you’re more of a green smoothie fan, we’d highly recommend this “spa smoothie” that comes highly recommended by Jessica Alba’s holistic nutritionist, Kelly LeVeque. This one is filled with plant-based protein, healthy fats, and a kick of citrus. Not only is it easy on the tastebuds, but the beautiful green color is also easy on the eyes.
Get the recipe: Spa smoothie
7. Gut-Healthy Pineapple Smoothie Bowl
If you’re looking for a deliciously tropical twist on your smoothies, look no further than this gut-friendly pineapple smoothie bowl. Frances Largeman-Roth, RD notes that pineapple is especially good for gut health thanks to the enzyme bromelain, which helps stimulate digestion. One cup of pineapple also offers three grams of fiber, which is helpful for keeping you regular. When it comes to heart-healthy smoothie recipes, it doesn't get much better.
8. Banana Bread Smoothie
This dairy-free, added sugar-free, and vegan smoothie has the added benefit of being absolutely delicious given that it tastes a whole lot like a slice of banana bread (hence the name). And then there's the bevy of health benefits associated with bananas at all stages of ripeness—from their high fiber content to their antioxidant levels. Point being? This is one smoothie that’s good for your body in more ways than one.
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