Perimenopause Inflammation Busting Smoothie Recipe
There is increasing and compelling evidence showing that oestrogen decline during the menopausal transition years drives women's bodies into a pro-inflammatory state. Being in a pro-inflammatory state means that your body is constantly trying to fight off infection. That’s why many perimenopausal women report painful or stiff joints. Ouch!
If it’s not dealt with, ongoing chronic inflammation over years can cause:
- Cancer
- Heart Disease
- Diabetes
- Asthma
- Alzheimer’s disease
- Arthritis.
That’s why it’s important to follow an anti-inflammatory diet in your perimenopausal years. Learn more here.
Foods that fight inflammation
- Vegetables: eat lots! They increase phytonutrients (naturally occurring plant chemicals that are anti-inflammatory) and antioxidants
- Tomatoes
- Olive oil
- Green leafy vegetables: spinach, kale, and collards
- Nuts like almonds and walnuts
- Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, tuna, and sardines
- Fruits such as strawberries, blueberries, cherries, and oranges.
Inflammation Busting Smoothie Recipe
Here is a quick and easy smoothie recipe that you can use to fight off the inflammation.
Ingredients- Handful of fresh spinach
- 2 cups of almond milk
- 1 cup of strawberries and blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 serve Peri Chai Latte (Turmeric, Ginger, Cinnamon, Manuka Honey, Black Pepper)
- 1 tablespoon of flaxseeds (high in Omega 3)
- ½ avocado (Powder house superfood including Omega 3)
- Optional: protein supplement for more protein.
It’s because inflammation wreaks so much havoc on our bodies that we included these anti-inflammatory powerhouse ingredients in our Peri Chai latte. Let me introduce you to them:
Turmeric - the Curcumin in Turmeric is a natural anti-inflammatory compound that also relieves pain.
Ginger - from the same family as Turmeric, ginger adds a warm, sweet and peppery flavour and contains potent anti-inflammatory compounds.
Cinnamon - a divine sweet and woody flavour, selected not only for it’s wonderful aroma and taste but for its powerful antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Manuka Honey - We added this powerhouse honey for it’s sweetness and its health benefits. Manuka is known for its antiviral, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
Black Pepper - The active compound in black pepper is piperine which has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and also helps Turmeric do its wonderful thing.
You can see what your peri sisters think of our Peri Chai Latte here.
What are your favourite anti-inflammatory foods? Comment below!