Healthy Smoothies: Benefits of Fruit Smoothies

If there’s one beverage that everybody seems to love, it’s a refreshing fruit smoothie. People usually go for fruits that are sweet and flavorful. Of course, personal tastes differ but some fruits seem to be universal favorites in smoothies. It’s best to use different kinds of fruits to get a wide array of nutrients in a healthy smoothie.

Favorite Fruits and Their Benefits

The banana is one of the most popular fruits in smoothies. They are cheap and readily available. They also provide a natural sweetness to the smoothie and make it thicker and creamier too. Bananas are amazingly nutritious. They are rich in Vitamin C, fiber and potassium.

Potassium is important because it helps regulate blood pressure and is necessary for the proper functioning of muscles during exercise. That’s why athletes and physically active individuals eat bananas before and after their training or exercise.

Berries are also favorite fruits in healthy smoothies. Strawberries taste fantastic and they are rich in fiber, Vitamin C, folic acid, potassium and calcium The nutrients in strawberries boost the immune system and aids in digestion.

Blueberries are rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients that fight harmful free radicals. They help prevent certain forms of cancer. Blueberries are also rich in fiber.

Other favorite fruits include oranges, mangoes, papayas and peaches. They are rich in Vitamin C and beta-carotene. Fleshy fruits like papayas and mangoes result in thick, creamy smoothies.

Apples, grapes, pears and melons are also delicious in smoothies. Fruits are naturally rich in fiber and Vitamin C. They also provide antioxidants that help protect the body against many illnesses.

Fruit Smoothies Boost Energy

Fruits contain natural sugars and provide a quick energy boost. But this is not the only benefit you can get from a healthy fruit smoothie. Unlike a candy bar that causes your blood sugar level to spike, fruit smoothies release sugar into the bloodstream gradually because of its fiber content. You won’t experience extreme highs and lows in blood sugar levels. The fiber also helps you feel full longer.

Delicious and Healthy Fruit Smoothies

There are hundreds of fruit smoothie recipes. Here are a few of our favorites.

Cool Berry and Banana Smoothie

• 1/2 pound fresh strawberries
• 2 bananas, sliced
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup natural yogurt
• 1/2 cups ice cubes, crushed

Combine ingredients in a blender. Blend until creamy.

Breakfast Fruit Smoothie

• 2 peaches
• 2 bananas
• 1 cup crushed or chopped pineapple
• 1/3 cup mango slices
• 1 cup low fat milk
• 1/2 cup crushed ice

Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth.

Berry Smoothie

• 1/4 cup blueberries
• 1/4 cup raspberries
• 1 large banana
• 1/2 cup low fat yogurt
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup crushed ice

Place all ingredients in a blender. Blend for 30 seconds until smooth.

By Javier Munoz Diaz