Collagens
Marine, bovine and vegan-sourced collagens have been reported to benefit skin, hair and nail growth, vitality and health. Adding these flavourless powders to your morning smoothies or coffee can help boost your natural collagen stores, which deplete by 1 per cent each year from the age of 20 and can cause thinning of the hair and skin, leading to wrinkles as well as aching joints and muscle weakness.
Proteins
In a modern diet it is often difficult to get the levels of proteins we need from our diet. Adding 15-25g of good-quality protein via a powder to your morning smoothie will get you well on your way to your daily intake goal to build and repair muscles, as well as support the building of hormones and enzymes within your body.
Vitamins And Minerals
Similarly, boosting your morning juice with added vitamins and minerals is a great insurance policy if you feel you are not getting a well-rounded diet of natural whole foods. Powders are also a great alternative for those who don’t like popping pills and would rather sip them down instead.
Ayurvedic Supplements
Ancient Ayurvedic remedies drawn from botanical sources have long been added to foods or taken as supplements for a wide range of reported health benefits. Consulting with an Ayurvedic practitioner can help you determine those which may support your specific needs. Or you can look for custom blends created to help boost anything from your energy levels to reducing your stress.
Superfoods
The word ‘superfood' has been used as an umbrella term to classify any natural food source that contains exceptionally high levels of nutrients, vitamins or minerals. Whether they can be consumed in enough volume in your everyday diet to make a true difference remains to be seen. However, Maca from South America is reported to boost energy, Baobab from Africa to promote digestive health and Amla from India has been said to boost immune strength, thanks to its high concentration of Vitamin C.
Adaptogens
Adaptogens are another family of plant-derived supplements that can reportedly be used by the body to manage ‘environmental stress’. They include reishi mushrooms for anxiety, ashwagandha root for insomnia and holy basil leaf (Tulsi) to improve memory, focus and cognitive function.
Smoothie Boosters To Try
BodyMe
Organic Vegan Omegas, £16
Erbology
Smoothie Vitamin Booster Bundle, £35.99
Rheal Superfoods
Clean Greens, £25
Indi Supplements
Strength, £29
Ancient and Brave
Radiant Collagyn for Beauty, £37
Mauli Rituals
Transform and Transcend, £39
Naturya
Plant Superprotein - Banana Baobab, £12
Aduna
Moringa Powder, £13.99
Supernova Living
Woman 01, £35
By Lydia Mansi
March 2023
