Whether you need a healthy and refreshing breakfast or an afternoon snack to beat the heat, this blueberry flaxseed cacao smoothie fits the bill. It has a subtle hint of chocolate from the raw cacao powder that pairs beautifully with the sweetly tart blueberries and nutty ground flaxseed. You can stream in coconut oil at the very end of the blending process for an extra dose of heart-healthy fats.

A randomized controlled trial found that eating blueberries improved endothelial function (how blood vessels relax). Another study found that blueberries helped improve blood vessel function and reduces systolic blood pressure after consuming them for 12 weeks. A more recent clinical review links the anthocyanins (antioxidant compounds that give blueberries their color) to better vascular function and modest blood pressure improvements. Additionally. a systematic review of randomized trials found that blueberry intervention improved memory and cognitive performance.

Similar to blueberries, ground flaxseed works to enhance heart health. In fact, a meta-analysis of 28 randomized controlled trials found that flaxseed significantly reduced total and LDL (bad) cholesterol levels. A larger meta-analysis confirmed that flaxseed helped lower triglycerides, total cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol. More recent studies suggest that flaxseed may help lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Flaxseed may also help lower some markers of inflammation.

Needless to say, this smoothie is one heck of a nutritional powerhouse!