Red Superfoods vs Green Superfoods

What’s the Difference Between Red Superfoods and Green Superfoods? What is Best for Your Body?

Superfoods have been having a major moment in the spotlight. There are many health benefits associated with incorporating nutrient-dense foods, such as kale and acai berries, into your diet, but eating superfoods in their natural form isn’t always practical. That’s where superfood powders come into play.

Superfood powders are typically made from fruits and/or vegetables, making it easy to whip up a quick smoothie or swallow a capsule whenever you feel like getting a boost of nutrition. Athletes and wellness enthusiasts appreciate the convenience, especially those who are looking to consume less food without compromising vitamin and nutrient intake.

Green or Red Superfoods?

The two major types of superfood powders are green and red, although some products may combine them. Unsurprisingly, green superfood supplements are primarily made from greens, like kale, spinach, parsley, and broccoli, although some manufacturers do incorporate a wide range of other ingredients, like ginger, apple, beets, raspberry, carrot, and other fruits and veggies.

Red superfoods, on the other hand, are mainly made from berries, like raspberries, blackberries, acai, cranberries, and blueberries. Much like green superfood powders, many manufacturers add their own preferred ingredients, like beets, grapes, cherries, pomegranate, or even tomatoes.

Green Superfoods: Health Benefits

Green superfood powders tend to be the most versatile of the two. In addition to delivering your daily recommended amount of veggies, green superfoods may offer a myriad of health benefits, including the following:

• Increase vitamin levels and prevent deficiencies
• Boost energy
• Help with weight loss
• Strengthen the immune system
• Detoxify the body and eliminate free radicals
• Improve cell regeneration
• Enhance NO2 production in the bloodstream for improved circulation and muscle performance
• Enhance mood
• Fight inflammation

Red Superfoods: Health Benefits

The health benefits of red superfoods tend to be narrower in scope, but that doesn’t mean you should skip them. Berries are famously rich in antioxidants, which are compounds that neutralize free radicals, helping you to recover from illnesses faster, according to WebMD.

Of course, like green superfoods, red superfoods are also packed with a wide range of vitamins and nutrients. Berries also contain significant amounts of flavonoids, which may lower the risk of heart attack among women, according to The American Heart Association.

Which Color Should You Choose?

Both types of superfood supplements offer unique benefits, but there’s also quite a bit of crossover. For example, both may boost your immune system. There’s no right or wrong answer, so it mainly comes down to your health goals and your current dietary habits.

For instance, say you don’t eat a lot of salads or are trying to reduce your sugar intake. Taking green superfoods would be a great way to supplement your diet. Or, say you’re trying to lose weight. Taking red superfood powder could be a great option, as berries, such as blueberries and strawberries, may boost your metabolic rate, helping you to shed those extra pounds faster.

How to Choose the Right Superfood Products

Not all superfood powders and capsules are equal! Because the FDA classifies superfoods as supplements, regulations aren’t as strict as they are with medicine and food. That’s why it’s so important that you only buy superfood supplements made by trusted companies. Do some research before you buy — customer reviews are a great resource.

Always check the ingredients, and stick with the supplements that have a list of ingredients that you recognize, ideally just the fruits and veggies and no fillers, sweeteners, or artificial flavors. Many health-conscious folks also prefer to buy certified organic supplements to ensure that there are no potentially harmful chemicals.

In addition to being cautious about buying safe products, consider the ingredients themselves, and try to find supplements that align with your health goals. For example, say you need more vitamin K in your diet. A green superfood powder that contains plenty of kale would be a solid choice.

Don’t Forget the Fiber

It’s clear that superfood supplements are a convenient way to get your veggies, but that doesn’t mean you should stop eating them entirely. Most superfood powders contain very little fiber. It makes sense — after all, fiber tends to be dense and bulky, so getting your required amount of fiber through powders alone just isn’t realistic.

As a general rule of thumb, you don’t want to depend on powders as your primary source of nutrition. They’re called supplements for a reason! Alongside a healthy diet, superfoods can work wonders in boosting your overall health. However, if you’re eating poorly and using superfoods to offset that, you’re not going to be pleased with the results. Superfoods are just one component in a healthy lifestyle.

Powder or Capsules?

While the best approach to taking superfoods is largely a matter of preference, there’s one benefit to taking powders: smoothies! Superfood powders tend to be unappetizing on their own, but blending them with fruits and veggies is a wonderful way to get them down, plus you get the added benefits of eating fresh (or frozen) fruits and vegetables.

Of course, if you’re looking for something quick and easy, you can’t go wrong with capsules. You can always open them up if you want to mix up a smoothie. Consider your lifestyle, and choose the format that makes the most sense.

You Can’t Go Wrong with Either Color

As you can see, both green and red superfoods are wonderful additions to your diet. And there’s nothing wrong with taking them together. They can work in beautiful harmony, helping to elevate your overall health in many different ways.

If you have any concerns, or if you’re not sure if superfoods will align with your specialized diet. Be sure to speak with a qualified expert for personalized advice. As long as you don’t use superfood powders as a full replacement for real fruits and veggies, the benefits are tremendous. Just make sure you use them as a supplement, and not a substitute.