Anti-inflammatory foods have magical powers: they can reduce inflammation in the body, which is to blame for everything from carrying extra fat around your midsection to cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and Type 2 diabetes. Adding them to your diet wherever possible is an excellent idea — and it’s even easier than you might think to incorporate these ingredients into smoothies.
From tomatoes to turmeric, there are a number of anti-inflammatory ingredients that you can easily toss into your blender to make delicious, healthy smoothies that will help curb inflammation and balance your gut bacteria. Here are four simple anti-inflammatory recipes.
Spinach Cucumber Smoothie
A spinach cucumber smoothie is loaded with fiber, vitamins, minerals, and flavonoids, lignans, and triterpenes, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits. To make one (or a batch for later), you’ll need:
Apple
Spinach
Cucumber
Avocado
Almonds milk
Pitted Dates
Peanut Butter Banana Cauliflower Smoothie
Sounds odd, but this protein-packed smoothie is actually absolutely delicious — and the inclusion of cauliflower proves fiber and anti-inflammatory benefits.
You’ll need:
Cauliflower florets
Bananas
Unsweetened almond milk
Natural peanut butter
Pure vanilla extract
Carrot Ginger Turmeric Smoothie
The curcumin found in turmeric is one of the most potent anti-inflammatory ingredients around. Add vitamin-rich carrots and ginger for good digestion to the mix and you’ve got one healthy, delish smoothie that’s amazing for your gut.
You’ll need:
Ginger
Banana
Pineapple
Turmeric
Lemon
Carrots
Tomato Smoothie
If you love the tangy taste of tomato juice, you’ll flip for this tomato smoothie, which is spiked with black pepper and lemon juice. Tomatoes are an important source of the antioxidant lycopene, which protects your body from free radicals and can even lower your risk of cancer.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Tomatoes
Tomato juice
Carrot
Celery stalk
Ground black pepper
Ice cubes
Lemon juice
Salt