Hormone Balancing Smoothie
When it comes to hormones, we need to think about our livers. Our livers don’t just process toxins, they also break down old or excess hormones. The burden placed on our livers in our increasingly toxic environment can mean that our livers are unable to cope and hormone levels can become unbalanced.
This smoothie includes liver-enhancing ingredients – leafy greens deliver minerals and antioxidant compounds to help the liver do its job; coconut milk adds healthy, medium chain fats that are used efficiently by the body and help to curb sugar cravings; and protein powder brings amino acids crucial to liver detoxification pathways.
Green tea is added for its ability to reduce excess oestrogen in the body, while avocados deliver hormone-balancing phytosterols and monounsaturated fats. Bananas are rich in magnesium, a mineral necessary for healthy hormone balance and one that is often deficient in Western diets, plus they add a creamy sweetness.
The star of this smoothie though is maca root, also known as Peruvian Ginseng. It is considered a superfood and thought to be a revitalizing, adaptogenic tonic, helping us resist the effects of stress. Its many benefits include boosting energy, mood and libido, assisting in fertility, keeping hormones balanced and improving memory and focus. It also contains antioxidants, protein plus it’s packed full of nutrients, including higher levels of calcium than milk, magnesium, iron and B vitamins. Maca can supercharge your smoothies and help keep your hormones humming nicely.
| Ingredients (serves one) |
|---|
| 2 tsp maca root powder |
| 200ml coconut milk |
| 100ml cooled green tea |
| Large handful greens of your choice, such as kale, spinach, rocket, lettuce |
| ½ banana |
| ¼ avocado |
| 1 tsp of quality protein powder such a whey, pea or hemp |
Place all ingredients in a high-powdered blender and whizz until smooth.
