From breaking down food and absorbing nutrients to enhancing immune function and energy production, the gastrointestinal tract plays a large role in your overall health. Maintaining a healthy digestive system benefits both your mental and physical well-being. There are many ways to encourage optimal digestive function, but one of the easiest ways is to add smoothies to your daily routine.
When you make smoothies a part of your daily regimen, you can help support regularity, improve nutrient absorption, and decrease bloating and digestive discomfort. Just because you drink a smoothie, that doesn’t give you an excuse to eat whatever the rest of the day. A large cup of nutrient-dense ingredients will not cancel out a calorically-dense, sodium-rich fast food meal.
Set yourself up for a bloat-free day by starting your day with any of the smoothies detailed in this article. As a quick note, not all of these smoothies are cleanse-approved. The reason for this is because some of the ingredients, such as oats and yogurt, offer pre- and probiotics that some raw vegan ingredients do not. If you make one or more of these smoothies and experience better digestive function, let us know in the comments.
Pineapple Ginger Green Smoothie
This is a refreshing green smoothie that tastes like a little slice of tropical paradise. Many of the ingredients in this smoothie contain compounds that help reduce inflammation and calm the stomach. Ginger, for example, exhibits natural soothing properties, while spinach offers iron, magnesium, protein, folate, and other essential vitamins and minerals. Pineapple adds some sweetness, along with bromelain, a digestive enzyme that helps break down proteins. That makes this blend of ingredients perfect for soothing the digestive tract.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup spinach
- 1/2 cup pineapple, cubed
- 1 banana, peeled and sliced
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
Instructions:
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into two large cups and enjoy immediately.
Pear Cardamom Oat Smoothie
Talk about fall in a cup! Pears are not only seasonal fall fruits, but they are also excellent sources of fiber (both soluble and insoluble) and sorbitol and fructose, two sugars that stimulate digestion. Both soluble and insoluble fiber help maintain bowel regularity by softening stool to make it easier to pass. Oats also contain fiber, protein, and complex carbs.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 pear, cubed
- 1/4 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 2 teaspoons agave nectar
- 1/2 cup ice
- 1/4 teaspoon cardamom
Instructions:
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. If the smoothie is too thick, add a little more almond milk or water to thin it.
- Pour into a large cup and enjoy immediately.
Cucumber Mint Probiotic Smoothie
Ideal for warmer days, this smoothie is as cool and hydrating as it is beneficial for the digestive tract. Mint, just like ginger, works to soothe the digestive system, while yogurt provides essential probiotics to help maintain healthy gut flora. It is a refreshing smoothie choice for anyone looking to boost digestive function.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cucumber, roughly chopped
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/4 cup mint leaves
- 1/2 banana, peeled and sliced
- 1 teaspoon agave nectar
- 1/2 cup water
Instructions:
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into a large cup and enjoy immediately.
Avocado Banana Yogurt Smoothie
Is this a smoothie or a milkshake? We’ll leave that for your taste buds to decide! This ultra creamy smoothie is rich in healthy fats and probiotics. Studies show that avocado works to soothe the digestive tract, while Greek yogurt supplies the gut with beneficial bacteria. Both the ground flaxseed and cinnamon add fiber and anti-inflammatory properties, which may help relieve bloating.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 avocado, pitted and peeled
- 1 small banana, peeled and sliced
- 3/4 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- Dash of cinnamon
Instructions:
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth. If you want, you can freeze the banana prior to blending to make the smoothie extra creamy.
- Pour into two large cups and enjoy immediately.
Creamy Paleo Green Smoothie
Silky smooth and undeniably delicious, this creamy green smoothie is naturally rich in chlorophyll, fiber, iron, and vitamins C, K, and so much more. It contains flaxseed and avocado, both of which provide omega-3 fatty acids, which benefit brain and heart health. Ground flaxseed also helps to regulate bowel movements and improve energy levels, due to the presence of lignans. Just remember that a little flaxseed goes a long way.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2 avocado, peeled and pitted
- 1/2 cup spinach
- 1/2 banana, peeled, sliced, and frozen overnight
- 1/2 tablespoon ground flaxseed
- 1/2 Medjool date, pitted
Instructions:
- Add all of the ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth.
- Pour into a large cup and enjoy immediately.
Vincent Stevens is the senior content writer at Dherbs. As a fitness and health and wellness enthusiast, he enjoys covering a variety of topics, including the latest health, fitness, beauty, and lifestyle trends. His goal is to inform people of different ways they can improve their overall health, which aligns with Dherbs’ core values. He received his bachelor’s degree in creative writing from the University of Redlands, graduating summa cum laude. He lives in Los Angeles, CA.
