Fruit & Fibre Vegan Smoothie

 

 This Smoothie is High In Fibre So Good For Digestion, And Is Packed With Healthy Protein and Antioxidants!

 

Ingredients:

2 Scoops of The Foodstate Company's Organic Pea Protein

2 tbsp Chia Seeds

1 tbsp Sunflower Seeds

1 tbsp Pumpkin Seeds

2 tbsp Almonds

1/2 Squeezed Lemon

1 Banana

80g Strawberries

50g Rasberries

50g Blueberries

1 Apple

1 Thumb Of Ginger

1 tbsp Coconut Oil

200ml Almond Milk

 

 

 

Health Benefits:

 

The Foodstate Company's Organic Pea Protein:

-  It is the richest plant-based protein available and is wonderfully good for you.

-  It is suitable for everyone including athletes, vegans and vegetarians and those wishing to diet. You can even bake with it!

-  It is:  Hypoallergenic 

-  High in BCAAs (Branched chained amino acids) 

-  Easily digested 

-  Lactose-free 

-  The richest plant-based Protein 

-  Easily mixed in Water 

-  Able to help you stay full for longer 

-  Low in carbohydrates 

-  100% Vegan

 

 

Chia Seeds:

-  Chia Seeds have become one of the most popular superfoods in the health community due to it being nutrient-dense and packs a punch of energy-boosting power. 

-  Aztec warriors ate chia seeds to give them high energy and endurance. They said just one spoonful of chia could sustain them for 24 hours.

 -  Chia means “strength” in the Mayan language, and chia seeds were known as “runners’ food” because runners and warriors would use them as fuel while running long distances or during battle.

-  Not only that, but recent research has found that the chia seeds benefits are even greater than we realized. Chia seeds benefits include promoting healthy skin, reducing signs of aging, supporting the heart and digestive system, building stronger bones and muscles, and more. They’ve even been linked to helping reverse diabetes!

 

 

Sunflower Seeds:

-  The sunflower seeds have an extremely high oil content, making them one of the main sources of polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. Both these fats are excellent for the overall health.

-  Sunflower seeds are an excellent source of vitamin E, a fat-soluble antioxidant. Vitamin E neutralizes the effects of free radicals, preventing the damage of fat containing structures and molecules. The anti-inflammatory properties reduce the symptoms of asthma, osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

-  They enhance the immune response, thereby decreasing the risk of certain cancers. The vitamin E and high fiber content in sunflower seeds reduce the possibility of colon cancer. Selenium in sunflower seeds induces DNA repair and synthesis of damaged cells, inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells. It also induces the self-destruct sequence to eliminate the abnormal cells.

-  Sunflower seeds can decrease the severity and frequency of hot flashes in women going through their menopause, thereby reducing the development of diabetic complications.

-  Sunflower seeds can also prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular diseases. Studies have shown that people who consume a good amount of vitamin E are at a much lower risk of dying due to heart attack. They reduce the levels of cholesterol in the blood. Vitamin E also prevents the free radicals from oxidizing the cholesterol. Oxidized cholesterol adheres to the blood vessels and initiates the process of atherosclerosis, which can block the arteries, leading to heart attack and stroke.

-  Sunflower seeds are known to soothe nerves and ease stress and migraine. Magnesium in sunflower seeds counterbalance calcium, thereby regulating nerve and muscle tone. It prevents calcium from rushing into the nerve cell and activating it. This helps to keep the nerve relaxed. A deficiency in magnesium causes the nerve cells to become overactive, sending too many messages and causing excessive contraction.

-  They contain bone healthy minerals like calcium, copper and magnesium, which prevent bone mineral density loss. They also contain Vitamin E, which eases the arthritic pain. Copper found in sunflower seeds helps in the cross linking of collagen and elastin, which provides strength and flexibility in joints and bones.

-  Regular consumption of sunflower seeds will add a glow to the skin. It combats the UV rays and keeps the skin youthful and beautiful. Copper in sunflower seeds is required to produce melanin, the pigment that gives the skin its color.

 

 

Pumpkin Seeds:

-  One-quarter cup of pumpkin seeds contains nearly half of the recommended daily amount of magnesium, which participates in a wide range of vitally important physiological functions, including the creation of ATP (adenosine triphosphate, the energy molecules of your body), the synthesis of RNA and DNA, the pumping of your heart, proper bone and tooth formation, relaxation of your blood vessels, and proper bowel function.

-  Magnesium has been shown to benefit your blood pressure and help prevent sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack, and stroke, yet an estimated 80 percent of Americans are deficient in this important mineral.

-  Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of zinc. It is important to your body in many ways, including immunity, cell growth and division, sleep, mood, your senses of taste and smell, eye and skin health, insulin regulation, and male sexual function.

-  Many are deficient in zinc due to mineral-depleted soils, drug effects, plant-based diets, and other diets high in grain. This deficiency is associated with increased colds and flu, chronic fatigue, depression, acne, low birth weight babies, learning problems and poor school performance in children, among others.

-  Raw nuts and seeds, including pumpkin seeds, are one of the best sources of plant-based omega-3s (alpha-linolenic acid or ALA). We all need ALA, however, ALA has to be converted by your body into the far more essential omega-3 fats EPA and DHA -- by an enzyme in which the vast majority of us have impaired by high insulin levels. So, while pumpkin seeds are an excellent source of ALA, I believe it is essential to get some of your omega-3 fats from animal sources, such as krill oil, as well.

-  Pumpkin seeds have long been valued as an important natural food for men's health. This is in part because of their high zinc content, which is important for prostate health (where it is found in the highest concentrations in the body), and also because pumpkin seed extracts and oils may play a role in treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH, or enlarged prostate). Research suggests that both pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds2 may be particularly beneficial in supporting prostate health.

-  Animal studies suggest that pumpkin seeds may help improve insulin regulation and help prevent diabetic complications by decreasing oxidative stress

-  Pumpkin seed oil is rich in natural phytoestrogens and studies suggest it may lead to a significant increase in good "HDL" cholesterol along with decreases in blood pressure, hot flashes, headaches, joint pains and other menopausal symptoms in postmenopausal women.

-  Pumpkin seeds, rich in healthy fats, antioxidants and fibers, may provide benefits for heart and liver health, particularly when mixed with flax seeds.

-  Pumpkin seeds are a rich source of tryptophan, an amino acid (protein building block) that your body converts into serotonin, which in turn is converted into melatonin, the "sleep hormone." Eating pumpkin seeds a few hours before bed, along with a carbohydrate like a small piece of fruit, may be especially beneficial for providing your body the tryptophan needed for your melatonin and serotonin production to help promote a restful night's sleep.

-  Pumpkin seed oil has been found to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects. One animal study even found it worked as well as the anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin in treating arthritis, but without the side effects.

 

 

Almonds:

-  Almonds are rich in nutrients that can help protect the heart including unsaturated fatty acids, phytosterols, magnesium, vitamin E, copper and manganese. Two research studies in 2012 and 2014 found that almonds can improve the risk of heart disease, specifically in overweight individuals. Further research has shown that almond consumption helps to reduce LDL cholesterol which helps to reduce the risk of heart disease.

-  A recent study in India on patients with type 2 diabetes found that including almonds as part of a balanced diet had multiple benefits on both glycemic and cardiovascular risk factors. A further study in China also demonstrated that regular almond consumption resulted in lower levels of fasting insulin and fasting glucose, so it would appear that including almonds as part of a healthy diet is a good thing for those with diabetes

-  Almonds are a good source of nutrients that are important for brain health, including vitamin E, folate and unsaturated fatty acids, as well as l-carnitine which is known for its neuroprotective benefits. More research is required, but recent animal studies have shown that almond consumption may well boost memory function.

-  A 10-year Dutch study found that consuming half a handful of nuts a day, rather than specifically almonds, was associated with an average 23% lower risk of early death from conditions including neurodegenerative disease or diabetes.

 

 

Lemon:

-  Lemon juice helps to cure problems related to indigestion and constipation. Add a few drops of lemon to your dish, and it will aid in digestion. It acts as a blood purifier and a cleansing agent.

-  Lemon juice can treat a person who is suffering from a cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fevers by increasing perspiration.

-  It has antiseptic and coagulant properties, so it can stop internal bleeding. 

-  Lemon juice assists in relieving respiratory problems and breathing problems, such as its ability to soothe a person suffering from an asthma attack. Being a rich source of vitamin C, it helps in dealing with more long-term respiratory disorders as well.

-  It is also a diuretic and can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins from the body.

-  Lemon is an excellent fruit that fights against problems related to throat infections, due to its well-known antibacterial properties.

-  Drinking lemon juice is helpful for people suffering from heart problems because it contains potassium. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, and nausea because it provides a calming sensation to both the mind and body. It is commonly employed to reduce mental stress and depression.

 

 

Bananas

-  Bananas are one of the most widely consumed fruits in the world for good reason.

-  Eating them could help lower blood pressure and reduce the risks of cancer and asthma.

-  Bananas are rich in a mineral called potassium.

-  This mineral is important as it helps maintain fluid levels in the body and regulates the movement of nutrients and waste products in and out of cells.

-  Potassium also helps muscles to contract and nerve cells to respond.

-  It keeps the heart beating regularly and can reduce the effect of sodium on blood pressure.

 

 

Berries

- Berries come in many shapes and sizes, but they are all healthy sources of fiber, potassium and vitamin C.

-  Strawberries, Blueberries and Blackberries are low in fat and calories, and contain compounds that might protect you from certain health conditions.

-  Blackberries contain powerful antioxidants that scavenge three renowned groups of harmful free radicals. 

-  They have also been shown to help lower undesirable LDL Cholesterol.

-  Blueberries may help retard the progression of aging according to scientific papers and according to anecdotal evidence they may alleviate some eyesight ailments.

-  A study of Tufts University Boston concluded “it may be possible to overcome genetic predispositions to Alzheimer disease through diet” and they cite blueberries as a food within the group associated with preventing Alzheimer disease.

-  Blueberries also may help to prevent tooth decay and osteoporosis

 

 

Apples:

-  One medium-sized apple contains about four grams of fiber. Some of that is in the form of pectin, a type of soluble fiber that has been linked to lower levels of LDL or “bad” cholesterol. That’s because it blocks absorption of cholesterol, according to WebMD, helping the body to use it rather than store it.

-  Apple’s wealth of fiber can also keep you feeling full for longer without costing you a lot of calories — there are about 95 in a medium-sized piece of fruit. That’s because it takes our bodies longer to digest complex fiber than more simple materials like sugar or refined grains. Anything with at least three grams of fiber is a good source of the nutrient; most people should aim to get about 25 to 40 grams a day.

-  One component of an apple’s peel (which also has most of the fiber) is something called ursolic acid, which was linked to a lower risk of obesity in a recent study in mice. That’s because it boosts calorie burn and increases muscle and brown fat.

-  Five or more apples a week (less than an apple a day!) has been linked with better lung function, Health magazine reported, most likely because of an antioxidant called quercetin found in the skin of apples.  And the breath benefits of apples extend even further: A 2007 study found that women who eat plenty of the fruit are less likely to have children with asthma.

-  While they don’t quite rival oranges, apples are considered a good source of immune system-boosting vitamin C, with over 8 milligrams per medium-sized fruit, which amounts to roughly 14 percent of your daily recommended intake.

-  In 2004, French research found that a chemical in apples helped prevent colon cancer, WebMD reported. And in 2007, a study from Cornell found additional compounds, called triterpenoids, which seem to fight against liver, colon and breast cancers.

-  A 2012 study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that apples, as well as pears and blueberries, were linked with a lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes because of a class of antioxidants, anthocyanins, that are also responsible for red, purple and blue colors in fruits and veggies.

-  The fruit has been linked to an uptick in acetylcholine production, Good Housekeeping reported, which communicates between nerve cells, so apples may help your memory and lower your chances of developing Alzheimer’s. 

-  A diet rich in antioxidants may have similar effects, so apples, since they are particularly rich in quercetin, are a good bet, according to 2004 research.

 

 

Ginger:

-  Ginger is among the healthiest (and most delicious) spices on the planet. It is loaded with nutrients and bioactive compounds that have powerful benefits for your body and brain.

-  Ginger contains Gingerol, a substance with powerful medicinal properties

-  Ginger can treat many forms of nausea, especially morning sickness

-  May reduce muscle pain and soreness

-  The anti-inflammatory effects can help with osteoarthritis

-  Ginger may drastically lower blood sugars and improve heart disease risk factors

-  Ginger can help treat chronic indigestion

-  Ginger may lower cholesterol levels

-  Ginger may improve brain function and protect against alzheimer's disease

-  The active ingredient in ginger, called gingerol, can help fight infections

 

 

Coconut Oil

-  To date, there are over 1,500 studies proving coconut oil to be one of the healthiest foods on the planet.

-  Research has finally uncovered the secrets to this amazing superfood: namely healthy fats called medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs). These unique fats include: Caprylic Acid - Lauric Acid - Capric Acid

-  Around 62 percent of the oils in coconut are made up of these three healthy fatty acids, and 91 percent of the fat in coconut oil is healthy saturated fat.

-  Most of the fats we consume take longer to digest, but MCFAs found in coconut oil provide the perfect source of energy because they only have to go through a three-step process to be turned into fuel vs. other fats that have to go through a 26-step process!

-  Proven Alzheimer’s Disease Natural Treatment

-  Prevents Heart Disease and High Blood Pressure

-  Treats UTI and Kidney Infection and Protects the Liver

-  Reduces Inflammation and Arthritis

-  Cancer Prevention and Treatment

-  Immune System Boost (Antibacterial, Antifungal and Antiviral)

-  Improves Memory and Brain Function

-  Improves Energy and Endurance

-  Improves Digestion and Reduces Stomach Ulcers and Ulcerative Colitis

-  Improves Skin Issues (Burns, Eczema, Dandruff, Dermatitis and Psoriasis)

-  Prevents Gum Disease and Tooth Decay

-  Prevents Osteoporosis

-  Improves Type II Diabetes

-  Because of the energy-creating abilities of coconut oil and the fact it’s a no-carb oil, it is no wonder that it is beneficial in losing weight. It helps burn fat and calories, decrease appetite, and in studies it was especially helpful in losing belly fat

-  Building Muscle and Losing Body Fat

-  Coconut Oil for Hormone Balance