What is the healthiest powder to add to a smoothie?

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If you have ever wondered what the healthiest powder to add to a smoothie is, you have come to the right place.

With so many superfood options, ranging from strawberry to blueberry to acai and mushrooms and protein powders, choosing the healthiest option can seem overwhelming and confusing.

So, in order to answer this question, “What is the healthiest powder to add to a smoothie?” it is first essential to look at the criteria for how the word healthiest is defined and its relevance to specific foods. 

• Good health is defined as well-rounded physical, mental, and social well-being and the absence of illness. 
• Health is influenced by various factors like genetics, behavior, environmental and biological influences, and social factors. 

All of these influences are affected by daily habits that may profoundly influence an individual's well-being and longevity. 

While hydration, movement, sleep, having outlets, and finding purpose are essential, our food choices for nourishing our bodies are vital. 

Although the basic standards for what is considered a healthy food often come down to whether it has essential nutrients to sustain life, we like to take it up a notch here at Z Natural Foods. 

We consider healthy foods as getting a well-rounded superior level of nourishment that allows you to thrive and not just survive.  

Traditional Chinese Medicine looks at food from a slightly different perspective. 

According to TCM, food is not defined as healthy or unhealthy but, instead, if it is the right food for an individual at a specific time. According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), all foods have energy. TCM teaches us that foods have Yin/ Yang energy, five temperatures, five flavors, and four directions. 

In these principles, Yin and Yang's action is the general property, and temperature is the extremeness of the properties. In simple terms, Yin is cooling, builds blood, and has downward moving energy. Yang is warming, energizing, and has upward-moving energy. 

Next is to understand how we evaluate the effectiveness of any substance or food we consume and define the specific criteria for how an individual should assess their progress and results. 

• The average individual consumes stimulants like caffeine daily because they effectively boost energy levels for a short period. 
• Pharmaceuticals are also fast-acting isolated compounds created to have a specific targeted approach through particular mechanisms of action with a somewhat predictable result. 

As individuals, we may each respond slightly differently, but the bottom line is they both work, but at what cost? 

Because the average individual consumes stimulants and prescription pharmaceuticals daily, we expect to feel a significant effect to declare that a substance is genuinely compelling. 

This has skewed our perspective on what is realistic and healthy. 

We believe a healthy way to assess the effectiveness of natural substances like food, herbs, and spices on any individual is to look at how each of us may respond uniquely.  It is challenging to provide specific guidelines because we all have intrinsically unique differences in how we react physically and emotionally to what we consume.

Still, there are some golden rules you should consider following to keep things in perspective. 

• Medicinal mushrooms, herbs, and food do not work like pharmaceuticals or isolated compounds because they contain a complex of natural compounds that work synergistically, potentially supporting a more balanced and subtle result. They work on multiple mechanisms of action, whereas isolated compounds focus on one.  
• Everyone is in a different place mentally, physically, and emotionally; these factors consistently change based on many aspects of your lifestyle. Therefore, these factors may change the timeframe and outcome of your results. 
• Our society uses caffeine-based beverages like coffee, tea, and energy drinks, providing a powerful and effective short-term burst of energy. Therefore, this skews our perspective into believing everything should work quickly and be as powerful. 
• Concentration levels of a product are essential when looking at appropriate dosing and evaluating time frames and overall results. So, be aware of how strong of a concentration your product provides. 

Because of the above factors, it is impossible to specify one food, herb, or mushroom powder essential for every smoothie. Selecting a category is more appropriate in this situation. 

What are Tonic Herbs?

In simple terms, four primary fundamental aspects define a tonic herb:

1. Tonic herbs create and support physical, mental, and emotional well-being through the appropriate balance of Yin and Yang energy to attain vibrant health. 
2. Tonic herbs can be used for an unlimited period with no adverse effects.
3. No matter how long an individual uses tonic herbs, they never build up a tolerance.
4. True tonics come from their authentic source and spiritual homeland. This principle is known in Daoist herbalism as Di Tao and makes a vital difference in potency and efficacy. 

Tonic herbs are not used to treat or prevent specific issues. They promote and support general well-being by enhancing energy and regulating function. Tonic herbs provide adaptive Qi, allowing us to deal with daily stressors more efficiently. Ultimately, this will enable us to grow as human beings. 

In TCM, one’s constitution is measured in life force, aka Jing. If your Jing is naturally substantial (meaning you are more vibrant, resilient, and robust), it means that you have won the genetic lottery and have a better shot at living a long and vibrant life; or so we thought. In simple terms, we have learned from science, tradition, and a little common sense that those with a strong constitution due to good genetics are equally vulnerable to dying young, with the primary culprit being an unbalanced lifestyle. This one factor alone can strongly deplete one’s Jing whether or not they have strong genetics. Therefore, the need for tonic herbs has excellent relevance. 

There are four primary categories of tonic herbs:

• Qi Tonics: Also known as energy tonics, with a primary function of increasing energy production. TCM believes they enhance nutrient absorption, yielding blood and energy. They are known to support metabolic processes, influence the spleen and nurture the lungs. 
• Blood Tonics: These are known to nourish and balance blood via optimizing nutrient utilization. Blood nourishes the tissues and provides a means of distribution for nutrients, hormones, and immune cells. Blood tonics are commonly used to support the quality of one’s skin. Some blood tonics also work as a blood vitalizer to improve microcirculation.  
• Yin Tonics: Yin is the accumulation of storage and energy condensed in all body tissues, primarily in all significant organs, specifically within the kidneys. The stored energy in the kidneys is known as the Yin essence and is considered the body’s fundamental reserve. Yin tonics are associated with preserving the quality of life. 
• Yang Tonics: Yang is the utilization of stored energy(Yin). Yang tonics have a warm or hot power, are associated with creativity, and are therefore believed to build strength and courage. Yang herbs are used to stimulate metabolism, build muscle, and support the skeletal system.  

All tonic herbs nourish at least one of what TCM calls, The Three Treasures. The three treasures are interconnected and contribute to overall health and well-being. They are as follows:

• Jing is essence primarily stored in the kidneys. Jing is one’s constitution, regulates the body’s growth and development, and works with Qi to protect the body from harmful external conditions. Poor constitution, blood loss, and excessive sexual activity can cause jing essence deficiencies.
• Qi is a life force or vital energy stored in the kidneys. Both the physical and emotional are manifested as Qi. One is inherited from our parents, and the second is derived from essential substances like air, food, and water. Deficiencies are caused by poor nutrition and digestion, chronic stress, and constrained breathing.  
• Shen is the emotional and spirit layer of our being that reflects the state of our nervous system. Shen lives in the heart and is said to “preside over the activities that take place in the spiritual and mental planes.” Because Shen lives in the heart, people with disturbed Shen may experience anxiety, stress, difficulty breathing, and insomnia. In such cases, the primary weakness is from the spleen, which cannot generate enough blood to nourish the heart and anchor the Shen.  

Below are five great suggestions for Tonics you can add to your smoothie:

Astragalus Root Extract Powder

Revered as one of the great tonic herbal medicines in traditional Chinese medicine for over 2000 years, Astragalus is known as the “Great Protector of Qi” due to its ability to fortify what is known as protective Qi, which flows just under the skin and in the muscles. This “surface energy” supports the opening and closing of pores, our first line of defense against external environmental changes. But Astragalus is known for so much more. The term dampness is used in Chinese medicine to describe conditions for which an individual is unable to metabolize fluids properly. 

Astragalus is a slightly warming Qi and blood tonic that has strong supportive qualities for both the spleen and lungs (2 organs specific to fluid metabolism) and is known to support “fluid metabolism”  As a  “Double Directional Adaptogen,” it may help also to support good posture and help tonify organs in the abdominal and pelvic cavity. Modern science has put this world-renowned tonic back on the front pages due to its unique family of compounds known as Astragalosides that have been undergoing intense research for their many supportive aspects of a healthy aging process. Astragalosides are phytochemicals that support adaptability and immunological competence. 

For more information about our Astragalus Root Extract Powder, go here:

Astragalus Root Extract Powder

Reishi Extract Powder

Red Reishi is known as “The Mushroom of Immortality” and has a long and well-documented history in traditional Chinese medicine. Because of its ability to potentially support a healthy aging process via nourishing what Chinese medicine knows as “The Three Treasures” and for building great wisdom,  it could arguably be one of the most excellent tonics on earth. 

Red Reishi primarily comprises complex carbohydrates called water-soluble polysaccharides, triterpenoids, proteins, and amino acids. Thanks to modern techniques for performing tissue cultures, we know that reishi has around 16,000 genes that code for more than 200,000 compounds, and 400 are active constituents. Red Reishi could arguably be one of the most excellent tonics on earth and may support a healthy immune system response and liver function. Reishi is highly revered for promoting the growth of wisdom. 

A study examining reishi mushroom extract's effects on neurasthenia (Fatigue, persistent body weakness, and exhaustion after minimal effort)concluded that reishi was “significantly superior to placebo with respect to the clinical improvement of symptoms in neurasthenia.” 

For more information about our Organic Red Reishi Mushroom Extract Powder, go here:

Organic Red Reishi Mushroom Extract Powder

Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Powder

Researched for its ability to support vitality and performance, strengthen the body and mind, and support a healthy stress response, this elite-level Jing tonic and superstar of the mushroom world is categorized as an actual adaptogen and revered by tonic herbalists worldwide. Sweet in flavor and warm in temperature, cordyceps is famous in TCM for nourishing both Yin and Yang, supporting the kidneys and lungs, supporting life capacity and life force reserves, and is considered a fantastic tonifier of QI. You won’t have to search far to see that cordyceps is regarded as one of the greats in Traditional Chinese Medicine, right next to Ginseng, Reishi, Deer Antler, and Schizandra. 

Cordyceps is a treasure trove of bioactive compounds like all other medicinal mushrooms. Some of the primary ones which have been researched and thought to support cordyceps “life-supporting” effects are 

• Nucleosides
• Polysaccharides
• Sterols
• Amino Acids
• Polypeptides
• Cordycepin

A double-blind, placebo-controlled study using 28 individuals examined whether acute and chronic supplementation of cordyceps improves tolerance to high-intensity exercise.

•  “One week of supplementation elicited no significant time × treatment interaction for VO2 max.”
• “After three weeks, VO2 max significantly improved. Analysis of 95% confidence intervals revealed significant improvements with additional improvements in VO2 max.” 

Therefore, it was concluded, “Acute supplementation with a cordyceps militaris containing mushroom blend may improve tolerance to high-intensity exercise; greater benefits may be elicited with consistent chronic supplementation.”

For more information about our Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Powder, go here: 

Cordyceps Mushroom Extract Powder

Goji Berry Extract Powder 

Goji is traditionally known in TCM to tonify all three treasures(Jing, Shen, Qi), Yin, and Yin blood, brightens the eyes, enters the liver, lung, and kidney meridians, and has a sweet flavor and a neutral, balancing temperature. Goji berries are considered one of the most significant tonic herbal foods within this system, especially if they come from their authentic source and spiritual homeland. This is known in Daoist herbalism as Di Tao and makes a vital difference in potency and efficacy. 

The following was concluded in a review discussing Goji berries as a potential natural medicine and their mechanisms of action. Not only did goji berry's high antioxidant content show great potential for preventing DNA, lipid, and protein damage, but it was also stated that there was better protection through the synergistic effects of the complex mixture of phytochemicals versus a single phytochemical.

For more information about our Goji Berry Extract Powder, go here:

Goji Berry Extract Powder

Chaga Mushroom Extract Powder

From Maine to Siberia, this prized fantastic fungus found growing on birch trees has been traditionally “hunted” by mushroom enthusiasts in the dead of winter when the temperature has been below 40 degrees for several weeks (but Chaga truly thrives in brutal arctic weather). 

Like adaptogens, the more severe the growing conditions, the more influential the end product. With most mushrooms, the fruiting body is present above ground, and the mycelium is not visible to the naked eye. 

Chaga’s large black charcoal-like hard mass presents as a collection of mycelium called the sclerotium while the fruiting body is inside the tree. Chaga’s outer layer is tough and dark black (due to large amounts of melanin), and the inner layer is a lighter brown with a cork-like consistency. While 20-year-old Chaga is considered to be fully mature with the greatest concentration of potent healing compounds, it can live as long as 80 years before it dies and repeats the cycle. Chaga is revered for its traditional ability to preserve youthfulness, categorized as a Qi tonic, and considered a tremendous kidney and Shen tonic. 

In conclusion, while there are many variables for what makes a great smoothie, consistency, and compliance are what really make the most significant difference. 

There is nothing more powerful for daily use than traditional Chinese tonic herbs. Tonic herbalism is one of the oldest and most well-established systems for supporting overall well-being, and tonic herbs have an exceptionally well-established history of usage, safety, and effectiveness. So, enjoy your daily smoothie, take your tonics, nourish your three treasures, and live a happy, vibrant life. 

For more information about our Organic Chaga Mushroom Extract Powder, go here:

Organic Chaga Mushroom Extract Powder