Prep: 5 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 5 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 2 cups
This Apple Kiwi Superpower Smoothie will reinvent what it means to say “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” What’s interesting about the 21st century is that now we know a lot more about why that saying came about. Apples are beneficial for the cardiovascular system, digestion, and are rich in phytonutrient polyphenols that help with blood sugar regulation.
Research published in 2015 indicates that apples lower C-reactive protein (an inflammatory cardiovascular risk marker) and help protect the lungs from both asthma and lung cancer. It’s important to note that many of these benefits are lost in cooking and juicing, so smoothies and consumption of the whole fruit are the best way to go.
Kiwis are another fruit that benefits lung function, and a single fruit contains nearly 100% of the RDA for Vitamin C. Researchers are still trying to figure out what phytonutrients in kiwis manage to protect human DNA, but they do know that these fuzzy little guys manage to do so with a powerful arsenal of antioxidants.
Kale is an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer nutritional superfood that supports the body’s detoxification pathways. It is the richest source of anti-inflammatory vitamin K in the plant kingdom and provides potent quantities of vitamins A, C, manganese, and numerous other nutrients.
Cilantro is an excellent plant for digestion and is used in heavy metal detoxification.
Ginger rounds out the mix with powerful anti-inflammatory benefits. This little root is warming, provides relief from nausea and gastrointestinal upset, and is beneficial for all forms of arthritis.
«A light, clean super smoothie that isn’t too sweet.» —Renae Wilson
A Note From Our Recipe Tester
Ingredients
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1 medium apple, cored and cut into chunks
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1 kiwi, peeled and quartered
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2 cups tender kale leaves, chopped
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1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves
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1 (1/4-inch) slice fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
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1 cup filtered water
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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In a blender, blend all ingredients until smooth, adding more water if desired.
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Pour into a cup, serve, and enjoy.
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 1 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 318 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 2g | 3% |
| Saturated Fat 0g | 2% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 81mg | 4% |
| Total Carbohydrate 77g | 28% |
| Dietary Fiber 15g | 55% |
| Total Sugars 45g | |
| Protein 8g | |
| Vitamin C 254mg | 1,270% |
| Calcium 262mg | 20% |
| Iron 4mg | 20% |
| Potassium 1460mg | 31% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |
