Power Blend Green Smoothie (Vegan)

The phrase “eat the rainbow” is one often used when educating on how to include all essential nutrients in the diet. Pigments are chemical compounds produced by plants in response to environmental stressors as a way to defend and heal themselves during the growth process. Nutrition science has recently begun focusing on how these pigments play a similar protective role in our bodies when consumed through whole foods. Research suggests that these bioactive compounds may help reduce stroke risk, promote heart health, prevent cancer and reduce inflammation.

Each plant pigment contains unique bioactive compounds. This power-packed smoothie blends colorful fruits and vegetables containing compounds like chlorophyll, anthocyanins, betalains, and anthoxanthins. Chlorophyll imparts the deep green color to vegetables like kale and spinach and is the primary pigment in plants. Anthocyanins are the water-soluble flavonoid pigments responsible for the blue color in blueberries. Betalains are also water-soluble pigments, can be red or yellow, and are found in beets (hence, the existence of red and yellow beets). Anthoxanthins give a white color to the edible portion of bananas. Although white fruits and vegetables are often overlooked, anthoxanthis are also important bioactive compounds. So, forget skittles because this smoothie quite literally allows you to “taste the rainbow”!


By Megan Fahey, MS, Nutritionist