Don't absorb nutrition from smoothies? Hey?!?!

Shadowmf023 wrote: »

Madelinec117 wrote: »

Think logically - you body absorbs calcium from milk, it absorbs the sugar in sodas, why wouldn't it absorb nutrients from a green smoothie. Next time as them what is their scientific proof of that statement.

Yes that's why it didn't make sense to me. I didn't reply anything to her. Just said Ok. It was a little random too. I take my smoothie with me to the gym with my water so, she just randomly commented without me asking for her opinion.

I'd just have smiled politely and in my head called her something I cannot type here Green smoothies are a great way to get the leafy greens in-great job on adding them to your diet!

This person probably believes against vaccinating their children as well. Gym is full of people with good intentions that are just plain wrong. That's why headphones on, do my workout, and go home.

Was she trying to sell you something?

I make my green smoothies with a product called Athletic Greens. I add that too my whole leaf spinach breakfast smoothie which includes a raw egg, protein powder, pineapple chia seed, coconut water and ice. Athletic greens is all organic and has a blend of a variety of green vegetables and some fruits that adds a sweetness to the drink without the sugar. It also has a nondairy probiotic and loaded with vitamins and minerals. It is expensive. I also add some white beans to the smoothie to get the nutritional benefits of the beans, plus it adds a nice smoothie texture.

If anything is "passing through you before you get a chance to absorb the nutrients" you are having a very terrible case of diarrhoea and should probably seek medical assistance if symptoms persist.

Feels like someone was trying to sell you something...

WELL.... Yes, of course you absorb nutrients in liquids. It also depends on WHY you're drinking this green smoothie.

Where their blanket statement might have some validity is this...

Chewing is an incredibly important process. Carbohydrate digestion begins with salivary alpha-amylase secreted by glands positioned near the mouth. This alpha-amylase helps break down some of the chemical bonds that connect the simple sugars that comprise starches. Additionally, the first stage of fat digestion also occurs in the mouth with the secretion of the enzyme lingual lipase by glands located at the root of the tongue.

When you consume foods without chewing, your foods may not be coated in enough saliva. At the lower end of your stomach, there is a muscle called the pylorus. This muscle must relax in order for food to leave your stomach and pass into your small intestine. Sufficient saliva from optimal chewing helps relax the pylorus, and, in this way, helps your food move through your digestive tract in healthy fashion.

By drinking your foods you may experience hunger sooner. Our hunger is triggered by a hormone called “ghrelin” which is produced in the stomache/duodenum. This hormone says “I’M HUNGRY FEED ME!” when the stomach is empty. When the stomach is stretched it reduces the hormone to say “okay, i’m full, i don’t need to eat anymore”.

When you are drinking juices or smoothies with a high water content they pass through the digestive system in a very short amount of time. This means that you will feel hungry again in a short period of time because the stomach is not being stretched (which triggers that hormone to stop producing).

The slow digestion of whole foods takes up more space in your stomach causing you to feel fuller longer.

It's also important to note that certain nutrients (more specifically IRON) is very poorly absorbed in green smoothies. Many people believe that by drinking "green smoothies" they are increasing iron and other minerals... however, these smoothies are generally filled with iron-inhibitors like Oxalates, Polyphenols, Calcium, and even Phytates.



So, to recap..... Is drinking your smoothie doing your harm? No. Are you absorbing some of the nutrients from these foods? Yes. Are you absorbing calories? Yes.

But smoothies may not be optimal for digestion, control of hunger hormones, and absorption of some specific minerals.

If you drink smoothies because they are enjoyable and make you satisfied, no worries! If they fit into your overall calorie intake, no worries! But don't try and drink a smoothie with greens as some form of vitamin/mineral supplement without taking proper planning and care to ensure absorption.


p.s. incase you're wondering, this is why patients of weight loss surgery (whose stomach already has a lower ability to absorb nutrients) are advised to avoid drinking their foods or even drinking water before/after/during their meals.