One Major Side Effect of Taking Greens Powders, Says Dietitian

Are you a fan of healthy smoothies? Then perhaps you're putting a green powder in your go-to A.M. smoothie, post-workout shake, or, well, whenever you're taking out the blender to make a refreshing beverage. That's great news since such green powders (also called superfood green powders or superfood powders) are a practically no-effort way to boost the health profile of your shake—or even add extra nutrition to oatmeal, yogurt, chia puddings, and more.

So what exactly do these mighty packets contain? "Superfood greens powders are a powdered blend of fruits and veggies that provide a nutrient-dense, antioxidant-rich product to support optimal health," said Lauren O'Connor, MS, RD, owner of Nutri Savvy Health, in our round-up of the best greens powders you can buy.

While you may not realize it as you gulp down your next shake, these greens powders may actually help keep inflammation at bay, and for the spinach- and kale-averse crowds, in a virtually tasteless manner, to boot.

While eating fruits and veggies in their natural state is always ideal, for those among us who don't exactly love getting their daily servings of greens, greens powders may prove a welcome vessel for ensuring you're getting nutrients from these foods in your diet.

Many green powders also have the added bonus of containing chlorella, a type of algae brimming with nutrients.

"Chlorella is a wonderful ingredient, as it's a natural source of phytonutrients. It's thought to have antioxidant properties and may even help improve cholesterol levels when used as a regular dietary supplement, according to research in Nutrients," says Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, a plant-based registered dietitian and owner of Plant-Based Eats in Stamford, CT.

Indeed, opting for healthy food choices is one of the best ways to ensure you keep your cholesterol levels in check. Check out this article for 17 foods that lower cholesterol for more nutrient-dense additions to your diet.

As Dr. Alejandro Junger, MD, founder and Chief Medical Officer of Clean Program, which sells supplements and nutritional powders, puts it, also notes of green powders, "some green powders [also] contain chlorella and spirulina, both bind to heavy metals (lead, mercury) and help the body's natural elimination, which is even more beneficial," he adds. (Spirulina is another type of algae.)

For more amazing reasons to add a greens powder to your daily routine, read our guide to what happens to your body when you eat superfood powder every day here.

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