De-Stress With A Healthy Superfruit Smoothie

There are tropes about kicking back and relaxing with a cup of coffee or enjoying a cup of camomile tea before bed for a reason. Food and drink act as a catharsis for many of us, comforting us and warming us up when we need it most. Relaxing beverages are not limited to coffee and tea, however. Did you know that smoothies can have a surprising impact on your mood?

Here are just a few of the ways your morning, afternoon, or evening smoothie can pack mood-boosting benefits and some healthy recipe ideas to get you started.

Wake Up On The Right Side Of The Bed

For a kick of energy in the mornings, consider adding pineapple to your smoothie or smoothie bowl recipes. According to Eat This, Not That!, “Pineapple is one of nature’s best sources of manganese, a trace mineral that is essential for energy production. A cup provides 76% of your daily recommended intake, making pineapple nature’s answer to Red Bull.”

In general, fruits, dried fruits, or dried fruit powders high in vitamin C are a good choice if you’re looking for energy. Mangos, oranges, strawberries, and kiwi will also naturally perk you up in the morning or during that midday slump.

For an energy boost, Allrecipes recommends a simple, easy-to-make smoothie with just four ingredients: ice, banana, fresh pineapple, and pineapple or apple juice. Use unsweetened juice for a healthier option.

Naturally Reduce Anxiety

Bananas are natural beta-blockers. By stopping adrenaline from attaching to beta receptors, bananas lower your blood pressure and heart rate. Potassium also plays an important role in keeping your heart rate and blood pressure in check. Plus, potassium-packed bananas promote circulation and the healthy flow of oxygen to your brain. If you’re still not convinced, this everyday fruit and superfruit contains “the protein tryptophan and mineral magnesium to help increase your serotonin and relax your stress levels and mood,” Spoon University adds.

To keep your anxiety in check, whip up a smoothie with banana, vanilla extract, almond milk, Greek yogurt, and flax meal. The full recipe can be found on Fit Food Finds.

Out of fresh bananas? For most smoothie recipes, dried banana powder and some frozen fruit work just fine in a pinch. If you are not a big fan of banana, some customers describe dried banana powder as having a slightly different, nutty flavor.

Promote Weight Loss And Overall Health

When you feel better physically, you feel better mentally and emotionally. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), significant weight loss can help mitigate even severe mental illness, like bipolar disorder or major depression.

If you are trying to achieve a healthy weight — once again — bananas are one of the key ingredients to add to your smoothies. Bananas, dried banana powders, green bananas, and green banana flour can all help with your goals.

Fresh bananas are full of fiber. This high fiber content helps keep you fuller longer and staves off any digestive issues. Green banana promotes satiety, lowers cholesterol, and some studies suggest it can play an active role in helping consumers lose weight and keep it off.

Combine fresh banana or dried banana powder with nutritious seeds, almond milk, honey, and turmeric for a relatively low-calorie, weight-loss-friendly option.

Coffee and tea are not the only soothing, anxiety-conquering beverages out there!

If you suffer from anxiety or depression, you are not alone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 264 million people all over the world show symptoms of depression. The good news is that there are little things you can do at home to improve your mood.

Try beating anxiety by making superfruit smoothies that ensure you wake up with plenty of natural energy, drinking smoothies that promote calm, and smoothies that keep you trim and feeling your best, physically and emotionally.