Feeling blah in the morning? Fading away in the afternoon? Here’s a tasty way to put an extra bounce in your step
This tangy apple-flavoured drink is quickly whipped up in a powerful blender, such as a Vitamix. It can be used as a general tonic for busy people, for athletes wanting to store energy for endurance sports or looking to speed up their recovery time.
Wicked green smoothie
250ml water
125ml apple juice
100ml ruby grapefruit juice
3 bananas
1 tsp organic wheatgerm
1/2 tsp spirulina
Why this smoothie packs a punch
• Spirulina is a naturally occurring, highly nutritious saltwater algae used by Aztec and African cultures as a rich food source before being rediscovered in the 1970s as an alternative form of protein.
• It’s crucial that your body has enough protein for energy, muscle growth and cell regeneration; spirulina provides one of the highest sources of protein by nutrient density.
• Spirulina contains ten times more beta carotene (colourful plant pigment) than carrots. The body converts beta carotene to vitamin A; its antioxidant properties protect cells from damage caused by free radicals. It contains important nutrients needed to avoid eye degeneration.
Bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by up to 40% – The New England Journal of Medicine
• Organic wheatgerm is high in iron, B9 and folic acid. It helps the body reproduce red blood cells, increase energy in muscles, balance the metabolism, quicken reflexes, improve oxygen uptake and handle stress.
• Grapefruit juice adds magnesium, vitamin C, calcium and potassium.
• Bananas are packed with fibre as well as three natural sugars – sucrose, fructose and glucose – for an instant and sustained energy boost. They also contain tryptophan, a type of protein the body converts into serotonin, a neurotransmitter which helps us relax and feel happier. Bananas are also rich in B vitamins to help calm the nervous system. Vitamin B6, for instance, helps regulate blood glucose levels, which also affect your mood.
• Bananas are high in potassium yet low in salt, making them ideal for combating high blood pressure. Potassium helps normalise the heartbeat, send oxygen to the brain and regulate your body’s water balance. Research has shown the potassium from bananas can assist learning by keeping our minds alert.
• Finally, bananas are high in iron and can stimulate the production of haemoglobin, helping with anaemia and ‘brain fade’.
