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Updated on 17 Oct, 2023
If you’ve ever struggled with bloating (and let’s face it, it’s a shared human experience), you’ve probably stumbled upon those social media influencers sipping on their morning greens powder, leaving you to wonder if that’s the secret behind their seemingly everlasting leanness. Taking it a step further, the digital realm is filled with claims of green powders being a miracle remedy for bloating. This naturally raises the question of whether these claims are true.
In this blog, our goal is to clarify any uncertainty surrounding the effectiveness of green powders for reducing bloating.
So, can these mysterious green drinks really provide relief?
The simple answer would be a “yes.”
However, the matter is far from simple. The effectiveness of green powders is dependent on various factors, including an individual’s physiology as well as the ingredients and quality of the powder, which we will discuss further.
What exactly are greens powder?
For starters, what are these greens powder, you ask?
Well, greens powders are essentially dietary supplements. They are produced by combining various veggies, fruits, (or just greens) into a fine powder that may be readily mixed with a liquid. Consider it a superfood smoothie without the blender.
These powders consist of nutrient-dense greens, featuring the likes of spinach, kale, chlorella, spirulina, and a bunch of other plant-based goodies. They are designed to provide you with your daily dose of important nutrients and vitamins while also keeping your immune system in tip-top shape.
How will a bunch of greens help with bloating?
Bloating is not a one-size-fits-all problem; it can be triggered by any number of factors. The causes might range from your diet to underlying digestive issues such as irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, and food intolerances. These factors disturb the usual flow of food and gas through your digestive system, leading to that uncomfortable bloated feeling.
Now, here’s where the potential digestive benefits of green powders come into play. These products often pack a punch in terms of fiber, digestive enzymes, and probiotics – the trio that can substantially benefit your digestion and as a result contribute to a reduction in bloating.
Here’s a more detailed explanation of how each of these components plays a role:
Fiber
Many people’s diets are deficient in fiber, which is a prevalent cause of constipation. The good news is that many green powders contain a high dietary fiber level, which functions as a natural digestive aid. Fiber aids in the movement of food and waste through the digestive system, lowering the likelihood of constipation and bloating.
However, according to a 2023 Healthline article by Ryan Raman, while some fibers can help alleviate constipation, there are also fibers that could trigger constipation. This is because different fibers have different effects, such as increasing the water content of your stool (laxative effect) or increasing the dry mass of your stool.
That is why it is critical to pay attention to the type of fiber in the greens powder because the last thing you want is to worsen the bloating!
Digestive Enzymes
These enzymes are the invisible heroes of your digestive system, breaking down the foods you eat, whether they are complex carbs or proteins. They work to ensure your body acquires maximum nutrients from what you consume.
The catch is that not everyone’s body produces an adequate quantity of these enzymes, which can be a big contributor to digestion problems. This enzyme deficiency might slow down the digestive process and lead to undesirable side effects like gas and discomfort.
Now, certain green powders may include added digestive enzymes such as amylase and protease in their blends. By taking a high-quality greens powder, you’re essentially giving your digestive system the reinforcements it needs to keep up smoother digestion of meals. The end result? Improved digestion and perhaps reduced gas output.
Probiotics
In essence, probiotics function to maintain a healthy mix of good bacteria in our bodies, particularly within the gut, which is crucial for facilitating proper digestion. When the body lacks these good bacteria, it can lead to a disrupted gut microbiome.
Based on the findings of a 2014 study from the National Center for Biotechnology Information, this imbalance in the gut microbiota has been associated with a spectrum of gastrointestinal conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), as supported by the findings in this study.
So, if the greens powder is known to contain probiotics, it may help to maintain a healthy gut and, by extension, an adequate digestive system.
Bottomline
Greens powder, thanks to its formulation of fiber, digestive enzymes, and probiotics, has the ability to alleviate bloating symptoms in many individuals. The widespread popularity and favorable response of this product reflect its capability in addressing digestive discomfort and reduce bloating.
Nevertheless, it is important to keep in mind that while green powders can be effective for many people, they might not provide the same effects for everyone. As our bodies, diets, and lifestyles differ, not everyone can expect the same advantages.