Health Hotline Magazine | July 2023

Wheat grass is the young grass of the common wheat plant and can be juiced or ground into a fine powder. It is a serious antioxidant powerhouse and an excellent source of chlorophyll. Wheat grass supports a variety of health-promoting functions including hormone balance and blood sugar balance. Many regular wheat grass users report improved mental wellbeing, likely due to its high level of nutrients and ability to support detoxification. It also has a reputation for improving digestive function and reducing

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While decidedly not green, beets deserve some special attention. Beets are one

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B o of nature’s highest sources of nitrate, a naturally occurring compound that the body converts into nitric oxide (NO) and it has been discovered that NO does a lot of really important things in the body. In the cardiovascular system, it relaxes blood vessels, which improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure; plays a critical role in new blood vessel formation; and inhibits platelet aggregation (clots). It modulates inflammation, improves insulin sensitivity in obese adults, and has been shown to significantly lower the postprandial insulin response and glucose response in healthy adults. When it comes to improving stamina, NO really shines. It helps muscles to work more e ciently and use less oxygen and has been shown to improve cycling, running, kayaking, walking, rowing, and diving performance. The e ects of NO on exercise performance are especially pronounced in amateur athletes, so you don’t have to be a highly trained athlete to feel the benefits. Another benefit we don’t often hear about when talking about NO is its influence on brain function and cognition. As we age, blood flow to our brains tends to be reduced, which impairs cognitive function. Beets, and the NO that the body produces from them, improve blood flow to the brain, particularly to the frontal cortex, the area of the brain responsible for many essential cognitive processes. Beets aren’t a staple in your diet? No problem! Juice and powdered beet supplements can help fill that void. And beets aren’t the only source of naturally occurring nitrate either, arugula, Swiss chard, and spinach are all great sources, and so are spirulina and chlorella. Just one more reason to get those greens! For references, email customerservice@naturalgrocers.com

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gastro-intestinal inflammation.It is even safe for those who follow a gluten-free diet, because wheat grass is harvested while young, before the gluten protein begins to develop.

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It's Easy Being Green

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Whether you eat your three to five servings of veggies each day, or barely make it to one serving, adding a green supplement to your daily routine is a good idea. Not only can these greens help to fill the gap for those not meeting their daily vegetable goal, but they also o er a super nutrient-dense boost for anyone looking to improve their health, have abundant energy, and just plain feel great. The hardest part is choosing the “best” green supplement for you. With so many great options it can make narrowing it down to one or two a di cult choice. A good place to start is with a green that really speaks to your own personal goals. But you might also want to consider taste and try a few to see which ones you like best. There are also many blends of greens available that take some of the work out of deciding. These products contain a variety of super greens, often with other vegetables and fruits added in for even more benefit. There are even greens blends with chocolate, so everyone is sure to find a good match. Once you’ve got your greens, there are numerous ways to include them in your diet. Of course just mixing a greens powder with water or juice is always an option, but considering that chlorophyll is fat soluble, adding them to something that contains healthy fats, like a smoothie, is a good idea. Don’t stop there though! Green powder supplements can be added to salad dressings and sauces, homemade energy bars, soups, oatmeal, and even baked goods. The sky’s the limit!

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You’ve always known greens are good for you, and now you know they boost nearly every aspect of health and wellbeing. While most of us fall short on optimal amounts in our diets, a green supplement makes it easy to get that boost every day. So get your greens on, you’ll be happy you did!

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