There’s a lot going on nutritionally in this purple green smoothie.  There’s the antioxidants and Vitamin C provided by the three different kinds of berries.  There’s the potassium provided by the banana.  There’s the probiotics and protein found in the yogurt.  There’s a balanced serving of Vega plant-based protein. Last but not least – the kale and red cabbage in this recipe imbue it with serious cancer fighting chemistry.The balance of gut bacteria is crucial to human health.  Each week scientists identify new colonies of microbial life that live on, in, and around humans – and the essential roles they play in our health and happiness.  Humans have long used fermented foods to harness the power of their local bacteria.  Eating a small amount of fermented foods on a daily basis is one way to help balance your beneficial intestinal bacteria.

Vega provides a healthy, clean burning line of protein powders that are entirely plant based and contain no added sugar, dairy, or soy ingredients.

A grape is a fruiting berry of the deciduous woody vines of the botanical genus Vitis.  Grapes contain ample amounts of Vitamin K and Copper.  They also contain high levels of antioxidants and have been shown to have anti-inflammatory, anti-aging, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer constituents as well as a positive effect on blood sugar regulation and cognitive processing.  Concord grapes specifically have shown cognitive benefits and a positive effect on brain health.

Yogurt is a food produced by bacterial fermentation of milk.  Yogurt, like all dairy products should always be consumed in whole fat, grass fed, organic, plain style.  Yogurt is high in protein, Vitamin B12, Vitamin B2, iodine, phosphorus, calcium, and molybdenum.  It is also a great source of probiotic bacteria including L. Acidophilus and B. Bifidum strains.

Blueberries are perennial flowering plants with indigo-colored berries from the section Cyanococcus within the genus Vaccinium.  Blueberries contain ample amounts of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, manganese, and copper as well as high levels of antioxidants and phytonutrients.  Blueberries are helpful for blood sugar regulation and weight management.  They\’ve been shown beneficial in fighting cancer and cardiovascular disease, and to have a positive effect on memory and cognition.

The raspberry is the edible fruit of a multitude of plant species in the genus Rubus of the rose family.  Raspberries are high in Vitamin C, manganese, and fiber.  The phytonutrition in raspberries has shown great benefit in treating obesity and regulating blood sugar, as well as in cancer prevention.  Raspberries are a great source of antioxidant nutrition.

The strawberry is a widely grown hybrid species of the genus Fragaria.  Strawberries contain powerful amounts of Vitamin C as well as a good amount of manganese.  Strawberries, like all berries, contain valuable phytonutrition that has been shown to help ward off cancer and cardiovascular disease, regulate blood sugar, and provide anti-inflammatory support.

A banana is an edible fruit, botanically a berry, produced by several kinds of large herbaceous flowering plants in the genus Musa.  Bananas are very high in potassium, and a good source of fiber, manganese, and Vitamin B6 and Vitamin C.  Bananas are Naturally fat-, cholesterol- and sodium-free.

Kale is a vegetable with green or purple leaves in the wild cabbage family.  Kale is a stockpile of nutritional and medicinal qualities.  One serving of kale contains a whopping 1180% of the USRDA for Vitamin K.  Kale also contains high amounts of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, manganese, and copper. Kale has well-studied anti-carcinogenic qualities, is cleansing to the liver, is full of anti-oxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds and has been shown beneficial to cardiovascular health.

Red cabbage is a leafy purple biennial plant, grown as an annual vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads.   Red cabbage provides plenty of Vitamin K, Vitamin C, and Vitamin B6 as well as ample amounts of manganese and fiber.  The glucosinolates in cabbage have proved a superheroic ally in the fight against cancer.  Cabbage has strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds, and cabbage juice has been shown to help heal stomach ulcers.