Greens are probably the most nutritious food on the planet. In the previous article we mentioned that they are a good source of omega-3 fatty acids. Greens are also a wonderful source of other nutrients, including calcium, magnesium and protein. The problem is these nutrients are encased in cellulose that’s hard to break down, even with the most diligent chewing. However a high-speed blender like a VitaMix pulverizes cellulose, releasing nutrients. Juicing is another way to release nutrients in greens and other vegetables.

Greens are also a great source of fiber, and they make the body more alkaline.

One of the most wonderful things about greens is chlorophyll. In Green for Life, Victoria Boutenko calls chlorophyll “liquefied sun energy.” Chlorophyll, she says, “heals and cleanses all our organs” and destroys pathogens and even cancer cells. It provides oxygen to our tissues. This helps to prevent cancer and encourages the growth of helpful probiotic organisms in our intestines while discouraging the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Among the many benefits of chlorophyll she lists are:

* builds a high red blood cell count
* counteracts toxins
* improves anemic conditions
* cleans and deodorizes bowel tissues
* helps purify the liver
* regulates menstruation
* improves milk production
* helps sores heal faster
* eliminates body odors
* relieves sore throat
* soothes ulcer tissues
* soothes painful hemorrhoids and piles
* aids catarrhal discharges
* revitalizes vascular system in the legs
* improves varicose veins
* reduces pain caused by inflammation
* improves vision

Boutenko  conducted an unpublished study in which 27 people (age 17 to 80) volunteered to drink 1 quart of freshly made green smoothies daily in addition to their regular diet for one month. She was looking for improvements in hydrochloric acid (HCl) production in the stomach. Her theory was that nutritional deficiency was responsible for low HCl production, and she reasoned that nutrients supplied by the green smoothies would improve the situation.

In fact, of the 24 volunteers who completed the study, 16 showed improvement in HCl production when challenged by taking HCl supplements with meals.

But all the participants noted various other health improvements, some quite dramatic. People who wanted to lose weight lost anywhere from 5-10 pounds, and those who wanted to gain, gained from one to two pounds.

At the end of Green for Life, Boutenko relates various testimonials for results obtained from drinking green smoothies. Among these are: substantially lowered high blood pressure and cholesterol, increased energy, no more depression and suicidal thoughts, regular bowel movements, dandruff cleared up, no more insomnia, asthma attacks stopped completely, none of usual PMS symptoms, stronger fingernails, fewer coffee cravings, no cravings for sweets, improved sex life, eczema cleared up, and pancreatic cancer reversed.

While not “scientific,” such results are inspiring. Certainly no harm can come from drinking a quart of green smoothies daily, and who knows what you might achieve?