How Do Organic Greens Benefit Your Diet?

If you’ve spent any time perusing through the supplement aisle of your local grocery market or vitamin store then there is a good chance you’ve been inundated by racks and racks of protein powders and vitamin bottles. It is easy to get lost in the sea of health and wellness. 

Most times, these supplements exist to support not replace. Weight lifters opt for protein powders to help them recover and build lean muscle. Vitamin supplements exist for those who want an extra boost or seem to get enough in their diet. 

This is one reason for the rise in popularity in organic greens. Simply put, most people do not get enough vegetables in their diets. Not doing so makes you miss out on all the vitamin-packed and mineral-laden goodness found in many veggies. 

Some people don’t have the time nor the money to fill their refrigerators up with healthy, organic greens. Others can’t stomach the taste. 

The good news is, just like the organic green vegetables themselves, organic green blends and supplements help you reach nutrient goals by providing an alternative vegetable intake. 

But how do they actually benefit your diet? Let’s take some time to explore the answers.

What Are Organic Greens?

Diet has always been and will always be the foundation for health. A proper diet has a bearing on energy levels, immune health, and more. In fact, plants have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes; e.g. herbal remedies for things such as immune support

This is due primarily to nutritional content (vitamins and minerals) and when it comes to nutritional content, green vegetables have no rival. 

In one sense, organic greens simply refer to organic green leafy vegetables. In terms of supplementation, it often refers to a blend or complex of these green vegetables and grasses often in combination with fruits and other vegetables. 

Organic refers to the standard in which these vegetables are grown. Organic foods are grown and processed very carefully. Soil quality is a big factor. Furthermore, the use of harmful pesticides, synthetic fertilizers, and other harmful chemicals are prohibited when growing organically. 

Organic Greens and Their Benefits for Your Diet

As stated, organic greens can refer to the vegetables themselves, but it also refers to their supplement form. Organic greens are usually available as powders or in complex capsule blends.

Powders and capsule blends provide an easier and more convenient way to take advantage of all the nutrient-dense properties of organic greens. Furthermore, blends are often fortified with other healthy fruits and veggies for added benefits. 

Now it’s time to take a look at some of the benefits for your diet.

Organic Greens Are Nutrient-Dense

Organic greens consist of some of the most nutrient-dense vegetables on the planet.

Leafy Greens Vegetables

Leafy greens, such as kale, spinach, and parsley can be found in many organic green complexes and blends. A diet that is rich in leafy greens does wonders for your health since they are packed with nutrients yet low in calories. 

Leafy greens have been known to help reduce certain risk factors associated with heart disease, such as high blood pressure and obesity. Also, studies have shown that a daily intake of leafy greens can actually help slow cognitive decline

Kale, Spinach, and Parsley are Loaded With Nutrients

Kale stands at the top for being one of the most nutrient-dense foods. One cup of raw kale packs nearly 20 mg of vitamin C, loads of vitamin A, and up to 68% of your daily value for vitamin K. Of course, vitamin C and A are known for immune support, while vitamin K is essential for bone and cardiovascular health. 

Spinach was Popeye’s favorite for a reason. It also boasts high amounts of vitamin K, but it also has high amounts of folate, a B-complex vitamin that is necessary for the metabolism of amino acids and other vitamins. 

Parsley is also nutrient-rich, possessing high amounts of vitamin A, which is essential for eye health. 

Organic Grasses

Many organic green supplements consist of organic grasses, such as alfalfa, barley, and oat grass. Alfalfa is rich in vitamins A, D, E, and K. 

Barley grass, which is a common ingredient in many green juices, is sometimes considered a superfood and is rich in vitamins and high in dietary insoluble fiber. 

Oat grass is known for possessing higher amounts of iron and numerous antioxidants. 

Other Cruciferous Vegetables

Most organic green complexes are also full of cruciferous vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, and cabbage. Most cruciferous vegetables are low in calories, but high in folate, fiber, and other essential vitamins and minerals. 

Selenium is one essential mineral found in many cruciferous vegetables. Low selenium levels have been linked to cardiovascular disease. One research analysis found that a 50% increase in selenium levels was associated with a 24% reduction in heart issues.

Cruciferous vegetables are also known for possessing some pretty remarkable antioxidants effects, thanks to its plethora of phytochemicals. 

Organic Greens Are Rich in Antioxidants

One of the most remarkable benefits that organic greens have on diet is due to their antioxidant content. 

Plants contain various types of antioxidant-containing metabolite compounds known as phytonutrients.

Antioxidants serve as our body’s defense against harmful free radicals and oxidative stress. Free radicals, a waste substance, are the result of spilt molecules. These unpaired electrons roam the body seeking a bond. 

Antioxidants, found in these organic greens, help reduce the damage of free radicals by neutralizing their effects. 

For example, cruciferous vegetables like kale possess glucosinolates and carotenoid (lutein and beta-carotene), both have powerful antioxidants effects. 

Other Benefits of Organic Greens

Many of the vegetables that make up organic greens also have powerful detoxifying properties. Some believe that poor, nutrient-deficient diets contribute to many imbalances within the body. One of these imbalances is in pH. Low pH levels, acidosis, can put many of the body’s systems at risk. 

Urine pH provides a clue to how the body processes toxins, if it is low it could mean the body is holding on to toxins. Leafy greens have been known to help increase urine pH levels within the body, helping rid itself of toxins. 

Added Fruits and Vegetables in Organic Green Blends

Other beneficial fruits and vegetables are often found in combination with many organic green supplements and complexes, each bringing their own nutritional benefits to your health. 

Many have organic fruit blends that contain various berries (raspberry, blueberry, and blackberry), which are all antioxidant heavyweights. 

Some complexes even provide grains, such as organic rice, for added fiber. 

Conclusion

The nutritional benefits of organic greens cannot be overstated. As a supplement, they provide an easy and convenient way to take advantage of nutrient-rich vegetables without loading up the refrigerator. 

Shop Hope understands the importance of nutrition and we want to help you make the right choice. When choosing organic green supplements, it is important to avoid those with artificial colors and sweeteners. Also, make sure you stick to those that are truly “organic.”

Organic greens are loaded with numerous health benefits, thanks to high vitamin and mineral content and antioxidant effects. As a supplement, organic greens serve as a helpful ally to help you reach your nutrient goals. 

 

Sources:

Organic 101: What the USDA Organic Label Means

Nutrients and bioactives in green leafy vegetables and cognitive decline: Prospective study

Selenium and coronary heart disease: a meta-analysis

In vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of the plant-based supplement greens+™

Plant based dietary supplement increases urinary pH