This beautiful smoothie is a delicious way to support heart health and a strong cardiovascular system. Studies have shown beets can help lower blood pressure, which is attributed to their naturally occurring nitrates. I know that word gets a bad rap, but when it’s from whole plant foods like beets, it gets turned into nitric oxide in the body, which dilates blood vessels, supports mitochondrial function, and can improve athletic performance.
The other ingredients in the smoothie have heart benefits, too. For example, strawberries are an excellent source of anthocyanins which enhance nitric oxide production, fight inflammation, and inhibit platelet formation. Avocados are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats and linked with reduced risk of cardiovascular disease; plus, they’re rich in potassium which is important for balancing blood pressure. Walnuts offer anti-inflammatory omega-3s to regulate cholesterol and triglycerides. Cauliflower offers fiber, and eating it produces sulforaphane which fights oxidative stress.
Food truly is medicine! I hope you enjoy this Healthy Heart Beet Smoothie as much as I do.
Wishing you health and happiness,
Mark Hyman, MD
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Ingredients:
- 1 scoop Farmacy Super Simple Grassfed Vanilla Protein
- 1 cup ice cubes
- ½ cup kefir or any nut milk, unsweetened
- ¼ cup frozen cauliflower rice
- ¼ cup strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- ¼ avocado, peeled
- ¼ cup raw beets, peeled
- 3 walnuts, raw
- 3 fresh basil leaves
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Method:
1. Add all of the smoothie base ingredients into a blender and purée until smooth.
2. To serve, pour the smoothie into a cup and enjoy!
Nutritional analysis per serving (if using kefir): Calories: 329, Total fat: 14g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 17mg, Sodium: 270, Carbohydrates: 23g, Fiber: 7g, Sugars: 13g, Protein: 28g, Net Carbs: 16g