{"id":4290,"date":"2023-05-29T23:13:15","date_gmt":"2023-05-29T16:13:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/best-alt-milk-for-antioxidant-rich-green-smoothies\/"},"modified":"2023-05-29T23:13:15","modified_gmt":"2023-05-29T16:13:15","slug":"best-alt-milk-for-antioxidant-rich-green-smoothies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/?p=4290","title":{"rendered":"Best Alt Milk for Antioxidant-Rich Green Smoothies"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <script async src=\"https:\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-3711241968723425\"\r\n     crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"drop-cap text-big text-gray\"> <span class=\"drop-cap__first text-dropcap \">A<\/span> PSA for green <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/heart-healthy-smoothie-recipes\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/heart-healthy-smoothie-recipes\/\">smoothie drinkers<\/a>: There\u2019s an easy way to significantly dial up the anti-inflammatory benefits of your favorite beverage, and it&#8217;s as simple as adding a splash of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-make-coconut-milk\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/how-make-coconut-milk\/\">coconut milk<\/a>.<\/div>\n<p>Why? While <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/3-healthy-green-smoothie-recipes\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/3-healthy-green-smoothie-recipes\/\">green smoothies<\/a> always have good-for-you ingredients (greens + frozen fruit + liquid of choice), new research suggests that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/15\/3\/779\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/15\/3\/779\">combining coconut milk plus spinach<\/a> in the form of a smoothie is a great idea for those hoping to dial up the antioxidants in the drink.<\/p>\n<p>We spoke with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nutritionnowcounseling.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.nutritionnowcounseling.com\/\">Lauren Manaker<\/a>, MS, RDN, LD, CLEC, CPT, a registered dietitian based in Charleston, to learn why this simple combination is loaded with anti-inflammatory benefits (hint: it&#8217;s thanks to lutein, a powerful antioxidant found in spinach). Plus, we share three easy coconut milk green smoothie recipes to whirl up tomorrow morning&#8230; or immediately.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>Why coconut milk and spinach boost antioxidant levels when making green smoothies<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>In a recent study published in the journal <em>Nutrients<\/em>, researchers in Sweden found that lutein, an antioxidant in spinach (and other <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/leafy-green-health-benefits-kale-spinach\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/leafy-green-health-benefits-kale-spinach\/\">dark leafy vegetables<\/a>), is best \u201cliberated\u201d for nutrient absorption when combined with coconut milk.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLutein is a pigment that is found in many foods, including egg yolks, avocado, and spinach. Consumption of lutein is linked to eye-health benefits and brain-health benefits. Some data shows that adequate consumption of lutein is linked to a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6936877\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC6936877\/\">reduced risk of developing macular degeneration<\/a>,\u201d Manaker says.<\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content \" style=\"\" data-module-init=\"related-content\" data-module-immediate=\"\" v-cloak=\"\">\n<div class=\"related-content__wrapper \" v-cloak=\"\" :class=\"{'is-loaded':isLoaded}\">\n<p> <span class=\"inline pr-6 text-seafoam-dark\">Related Stories<\/span> <\/p>\n<p> <related-content class=\"related-content__links\" parent-article-permalink=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/green-smoothie-antioxidant-milk\/\" current-title=\"Adding This Type of Alt Milk to Spinach Smoothies Can Dial Up the Drink\u2019s Anti-Inflammatory Factor Significantly, Says an RD\" current-image=\"green-smoothie-antioxidant-with-toast-425x285.jpg\" v-on:parsely-posts-loaded=\"onPostsLoaded\" start-date=\"2022-11-29\" tag=\"div\" inline-template=\"\" url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/green-smoothie-antioxidant-milk\/\" secret=\"w5ztterVB03LGZJLfXS0hf3EvQBuFFIWew9hmVQxthU\" apikey=\"wellandgood.com\" limit=\"3\"> <\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"related-content__card mb-[10px] sm:mb-[20px]\" :class=\"{'related-content__card--full':posts.length === 1}\" v-for=\"(post, key) in posts\"> <a v-on:click.prevent=\"trackLinkGA($event, key)\" :href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/green-smoothie-antioxidant-milk\/post.url\" data-url-source=\"related-content\" class=\"related-content__link\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"\"> <\/p>\n<div class=\"related-content__card--image bg-tan\" :style=\"{ backgroundImage: 'url(' + post.image_url + ')' }\"> <img decoding=\"async\" :src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/green-smoothie-antioxidant-milk\/post.image_url\" :alt=\"post.title\" class=\" js-inline-lazy-load\" src=\"\"\/> <\/div>\n<p> <\/a>  <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> <\/related-content> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p>One way to get more of this eye-health-boosting antioxidant? Pair it with the right\u2014aka &#8220;synergistic&#8221;\u2014ingredients. \u201cFat can help the body absorb lutein. That said, while it isn&#8217;t \u2018bad\u2019 to consume lutein sources <em>without<\/em> fat, your body may reap more benefits if you consume it paired with certain foods,\u201d Manaker says. \u201cEating large quantities of lutein doesn&#8217;t guarantee that it will actually be released from the food matrix and be absorbed. Since lutein is referred to as lipophilic, meaning that it dissolves in fats, taking it with a fat source helps the body use this <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/carotenoids\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/carotenoids\/\">carotenoid<\/a>.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>But this isn\u2019t exactly new news. \u201cPrevious data by the same researchers showed that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2018\/12\/181221123810.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.sciencedaily.com\/releases\/2018\/12\/181221123810.htm\">dairy fat <em>can<\/em> improve the lutein content<\/a> in spinach smoothies,\u201d saus Manaker. That said, what\u2019s novel about this new study is that they delved deeper into the effects of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/alt-milk-protein-calcium-breakdown\/\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/alt-milk-protein-calcium-breakdown\/\">alt-milk options<\/a>, more specifically, which revealed that some kinds are equally as (if not more) effective than dairy-based milk. \u201cThis new data suggests that coconut milk is the best choice for those who are living a dairy-free lifestyle and want to maximize their lutein absorption when consuming spinach smoothies,\u201d Manaker says.<\/p>\n<p>To put this into perspective, the study showed that high-fat and medium-fat cow\u2019s milk, as well as coconut milk with and without additives, were found to significantly improve lutein liberation by 36 percent, 30 percent, 25 percent, and 42 percent, respectively, compared to blending spinach with water alone. Meanwhile, soymilk with and without additives significantly <em>reduced<\/em> lutein liberation by 40 percent and 61 percent, respectively.<\/p>\n<p>Although the research presented is promising, Manaker says any form of veggie intake is good in her book. So limiting oneself to only drinking green smoothies if, and only if, coconut milk is available <em>isn\u2019t<\/em> the goal, either. \u201cWhile this study is interesting, as a dietitian, I am thrilled when people consume spinach smoothies, regardless of which liquid they use. Spinach smoothies are typically packed with fruits, veggies, and other nutrient-packed foods,\u201d she says. \u201cAnd since most Americans are not eating enough produce daily, any method that people choose to include more fruits and veggies in their diet is a positive step on a health journey.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>TL;DR? If you\u2019re an almond milk lover or an oat milk aficionado, Manaker says to have at it. \u201cI wouldn&#8217;t let their milk preference deter them from continuing to enjoy their green smoothie any which way they like,\u201d she says. But if you are in the market for coconut spinach green smoothies, here are three great options to sip on.<\/p>\n<h2><strong>3 easy green smoothie recipes packed with antioxidants\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_1067023\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1067023\" style=\"width: 440px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1067023 js-inline-lazy-load\" alt=\"green smoothie antioxidant blueberry spinach smoothie\" width=\"440\" height=\"660\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/green-smoothie-antioxidant-blueberry-spinach-smoothie_falsexfalse_true_70.webp\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1067023\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Choosing Chia<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<h3>1. Blueberry Spinach Smoothie<\/h3>\n<p>You\u2019re only six ingredients away from making this delicious blueberry spinach smoothie by <a href=\"https:\/\/choosingchia.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/choosingchia.com\/\">Choosing Chia<\/a> that tastes like a tropical getaway. Made with coconut milk, blueberries, banana, spinach, and maple syrup, you\u2019ll never want to make a \u201cgreen\u201d smoothie any other way again.<\/p>\n<p><em>Get the recipe: <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/choosingchia.com\/blueberry-spinach-smoothie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/choosingchia.com\/blueberry-spinach-smoothie\/\"><em>Blueberry Spinach Smoothie<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_1067027\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1067027\" style=\"width: 435px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1067027  js-inline-lazy-load\" alt=\"green smoothie antioxidant tropical green smoothie\" width=\"435\" height=\"653\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/green-smoothie-antioxidant-tropical-green-smoothie.webp\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1067027\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Eating Bird Food<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<h3>2. Tropical Green Smoothie<\/h3>\n<p>Why limit yourself to one type of alt milk when you can have \u2018em all? This easy tropical green smoothie recipe by <a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingbirdfood.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.eatingbirdfood.com\">Eating Bird Food<\/a> combines the best of both worlds\u2014almond and coconut milk\u2014for a delicious and refreshing beverage.<\/p>\n<p><em>Get the recipe: <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.eatingbirdfood.com\/tropical-green-smoothie\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/www.eatingbirdfood.com\/tropical-green-smoothie\/\"><em>Tropical Green Smoothie<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><figure id=\"attachment_1067025\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-1067025\" style=\"width: 434px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-1067025 js-inline-lazy-load\" alt=\"green smoothie antioxidant tropical ginger green smoothie\" width=\"434\" height=\"651\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wellandgood.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/05\/green-smoothie-antioxidant-tropical-ginger-green-smoothie_falsexfalse_true_70.webp\"\/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-1067025\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Photo: Eats by April<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<h3>3. Avocado green smoothie<\/h3>\n<p>Want even more anti-inflammatory benefits? Look no further. This avocado green smoothie recipe by <a href=\"https:\/\/eatsbyapril.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/eatsbyapril.com\/\">Eats by April<\/a> combines ingredients like ginger, avocado, mango, spinach, cilantro, lime, and of course, coconut milk for a one-two punch: Loads of flavor and antioxidants all in one.<\/p>\n<p><em>Get the recipe: <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/eatsbyapril.com\/tropical-green-smoothie\/#recipe\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" referrerpolicy=\"no-referrer-when-downgrade\" data-vars-event=\"body text\" data-vars-click-url=\"https:\/\/eatsbyapril.com\/tropical-green-smoothie\/#recipe\"><em>Tropical Green Smoothie with Avocado and Spinach<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<p><em>An RD explains the benefits of drinking green juice:<\/em><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"Green Juice Benefits Explained by a Nutritionist | You Versus Food\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/8csZ9D1IKn0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><span data-mce-type=\"bookmark\" style=\"display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;\" class=\"mce_SELRES_start\">\ufeff<\/span><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div data-type=\"_mgwidget\" data-widget-id=\"1675549\">\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script>(function(w,q){w[q]=w[q]||[];w[q].push([\"_mgc.load\"])})(window,\"_mgq\");\r\n<\/script>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A PSA for green smoothie drinkers: There\u2019s an easy way to significantly dial up the anti-inflammatory benefits of your favorite beverage, and it&#8217;s as simple as adding a splash of coconut milk. Why? While green smoothies always have good-for-you ingredients (greens + frozen fruit + liquid of choice), new research suggests that combining coconut milk &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":4292,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4290","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-health"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4290","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=4290"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4290\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/4292"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=4290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=4290"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/loudhdtv.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=4290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}