5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost
5 Anti-Inflammatory Ingredients to Add to Your Smoothie for a Healthy Boost
Anti-inflammatory smoothies do exist! Instead of blending in boatloads of sugar and artificial ingredients, try these smoothies for inflammation that are stoked with ingredients that may help lower your risk for chronic diseases including cancer, hea
True, inflammation sounds painful and potentially dangerous. But before we dive into the topic of smoothies for inflammation-fighting, it’s important to note that not all inflammation is bad. “Inflammation is a necessary process that helps your body defend itself and heal,” explains Jenna A. Werner, R.D., creator of Happy Strong Healthy in West Orange, New Jersey. There are two types of inflammation, chronic and acute. Acute inflammation is redness or swelling from a recent injury. Chronic inflammation is often caused by illness or persistent stress. Acute inflammation is a sign the body is trying to heal itself. On the flipside, chronic inflammation in the body (which can be triggered by many lifestyle habits and foods in the standard American diet) can put you at higher risk for chronic diseases including cancer, heart disease, arthritis, depression, Alzheimer’s, and Parkinson’s disease.
“Consuming certain foods and beverages in excess may create a pro-inflammatory environment. These foods and beverages include: refined carbohydrates, sugar-sweetened beverages, excess alcohol, processed snack foods, sugary desserts, fried foods, trans fats, excessive red and processed meat intake, and refined oils,” summarizes Michelle Hyman, R.D., a registered dietitian at Simple Solutions Weight Loss. “Foods and beverages that help reduce inflammation include non-starchy vegetables, whole fruits without added sugar, plant-based fats, omega-3 fatty fish, spices, and unsweetened teas.”
Rather than drinking anti-inflammatory smoothies and juices all day long, Wener recommends aiming for moderation.
Related: 8 Anti-Inflammatory Foods to Add to Your Diet
“When it comes to eating to prevent chronic inflammation, ensuring we have a balanced diet that is rich in nutrients (plus the fun foods we can't live without) is really important! A balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, healthy fats, and calcium-rich foods is key, and incorporating consistent movement that you love is also a key factor as well.”
The Best Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie Ingredients, According to Dietitians
Smoothies or otherwise, a good anti-inflammatory diet rule of thumb is to aim for at least three different colors on your plate (or in your glass) per meal, Werner suggests.
“Mixing and matching deep-colored fruits and veggies that you enjoy is a great way to add anti-inflammatory smoothie ingredients to your snack or meal,” Werner says.
We’re fond of starting the day with an anti-inflammatory smoothie recipe, like those below, to kick the day off on a well-fueled, nutritious note. It’s also an easy way to score several superfoods in one quick-fix grab-and-go breakfast. These smoothies for inflammation also work well as snacks, if you prefer a warm or heartier morning meal.
Related: Healthy Smoothie Recipes for a Boost of Energy
Stock up on these ingredients to add to your blender ($40, Target) then snag our favorite recipes that explain exactly how to make these smoothies for inflammation fighting go from grocery store to glass.
Avocado
How much to add to your anti-inflammatory smoothies: ¼ of a medium fruit
Great for so much more than guac recipes, avocado lends a creamy texture and a healthy dose of good-for-you monounsaturated fats
“Fat can keep you from getting hungry between meals, and helps to lessen the natural inflammation that occurs from intense exercise and general activities of the day,” says Rachel Fine, R.D., a registered dietitian and owner of the nutrition counseling firm To The Pointe Nutrition in New York City.
Each serving of this Avocado Smoothie sneaks in about one-third of a fruit. (Whizzing up a single serving of this smoothie for inflammation? Supermarkets like Trader Joe’s have started to sell “tiny avocados” that are ideal for one anti-inflammatory smoothie.)
Berries
How much to add to your anti-inflammatory smoothies: ½ cup
Only about 5% of Americans consume enough fiber per day (25 grams for women and 38 grams for men), according to research published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.
“Fiber helps to slow the overall absorption of sugar into your body, promoting a steadier release of energy,” Fine says, and that fiber can also help with bowel regularity and less stress on your system as a whole.
Raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, and strawberries are among the highest-fiber (about 2 to 4 grams in just a ½ cup) fruits, and are a cinch to add to anti-inflammatory smoothies as a natural sweetener. Try this mixed berry-loaded Berry-Veggie Smoothie (with 6 grams of fiber per serving) or this blueberry-packed Berry-Banana Smoothie Bowl (with 5 grams of fiber per serving) to get you well on your way to your daily fiber goal.
Leafy Greens
How much to add to your anti-inflammatory smoothies: 1 cup, uncooked
While we are certainly fond of breakfast salads, you have our permission to take a break from going fork-first into a full plate of leafy greens. Instead, toss a handful into your anti-inflammatory smoothie for a boost in vitamins and minerals, like vitamin C and iron, Fine suggests.
“Most of us struggle to consume enough non-starchy vegetables, such as spinach or kale. These blend very well into smoothies and the fruit can mask the taste,” Hyman says. “For a more delicate taste, buy baby versions of these vegetables.”
Our Matcha Smoothies sneak in plenty of spinach alongside potassium-rich bananas and health-boosting matcha tea. If that feels too much like “health food,” this Blueberry-Pineapple Smoothie for inflammation is ideal if you’re trying to get picky eaters to go green.
Seeds
How much to add to your anti-inflammatory smoothies: 1-2 tablespoons
Super seeds like chia and flax ($4, Target) offer heart-healthy fats, vegetarian protein, and dietary fiber, Hyman says.
Fine adores chia seeds ($8, Target) in her anti-inflammatory smoothies because they are high in soluble fiber, which helps to maintain blood sugar and sustain energy.
“They’re also a great source of calcium, which is critical for strong bones,” Fine adds. “Flax is an affordable smoothie-for-inflammation addition that’s rich in plant lignans. These phytochemicals are antioxidants that help to fight free radicals, which can otherwise accumulate from strenuous physical activity.”
Get your chia seed fix in this Pineapple-Spinach Smoothie recipe, and add flax to your next Berry-Coconut Smoothie Bowl.
Warm Spices
How much to add to your anti-inflammatory smoothies: ½-1 teaspoon, to taste
Cinnamon, turmeric, and ginger are among the easiest anti-inflammatory spices and flavor-boosters around, and they last for about a year when stored properly in your spice cabinet. Nearly any recipe can be supplemented with spice to create a ginger, cinnamon, or turmeric smoothie for inflammation as long as you like the flavor combos! Try a banana-cinnamon, turmeric-coconut milk, or ginger-pineapple smoothie and make it your own using our handy guide for how to make a smoothie (even without a recipe!).
Related: Turmeric Recipes That Will Warm You Up to the Delicious Spice
If you prefer more guidance, we’ve got you covered. This Spiced Sweet Potato and Coconut Smoothie recipe explains how to incorporate cinnamon, while these Sweet Honey-Ginger, Beet, and Mango Smoothies showcase (you guessed it!) ginger.
While all of these smoothie additions will make an impact on your internal wellbeing, they won’t cancel out a daily diet packed with inflammatory foods like processed meats, artificial sugars, and refined carbs. So aim for balance and remember that a smoothie a day alone won’t keep the doctor away.
“Instead of only focusing only on individual foods to avoid or include, think about the overall quality of your diet,” Hyman says. “Are you eating enough fruits and vegetables? Are you eating too many foods that come out of boxes and bags? What are the primary sources of fat in your diet, and do they come from animals or plants?”
A well-rounded eating pattern, with a boost from these inflammation-fighting smoothies can make a noticeable difference in your overall health.
