By Megan Sewards MS, RD

Need a way to beat the heat? What better way than by preparing a nice cold smoothie! You can incorporate many different ingredients into your smoothie that can promote anti-inflammatory properties and decrease one’s overall cancer risk or decrease treatment related side effects.

Try one of these additives below to spruce up your drink and let us know how you like it!

Turmeric
An Indian spice that will add a dose of color and a sweet-bitter kick. It has numerous anti-inflammatory flavenoids that help lower enzymes linked to inflammation.
Pairs well with:
Banana, mango, carrots, orange, pineapple, almond milk 

Kefir 
A fermented drink that can help promote good bacteria in the gut. A healthy gut/micro-biome can lead to less inflammation in the body.
Pairs well with:
Blueberries, strawberry, peach, banana, pear, kale, mango

Acai Powder/Puree 
Packed with anthocyanins which are anti-oxidants linked to a reduction in inflammation and disease.
Pairs well with: 
Kale, spinach, chocolate/cocoa, banana, almond butter

Berries
Choose from anti-oxidant rich blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, and cranberries to help fight inflammation causing free radicals in the body.
Pairs well with: 
Banana, Greek yogurt, avocado

Tart Cherries
Known to have one of the highest anti-inflammatory properties of any food according to researchers at Oregon Health and Science University.
Pairs well with: 
Lime, mango, orange, almond milk

Flaxseeds
Loaded with anti-inflammatory Omega-3’s
Pairs well with: 
Bananas, oats, nut butter, pumpkin, apple, cinnamon

Cacao/Cocoa Powder or Nibs
Rich in flavonols that can help decrease pro-inflammatory molecules involved with inflammation
Pairs well with: 
Banana, nut butter, blueberry, cherry, acai, yogurt, matcha, coconut

Baby Kale
Much milder in flavor and known to help reduce chronic inflammation.
Pairs well with:
Pineapple, mango, orange, lemon, kiwi

Ginger
This slightly spicy root carries many anti-inflammatory properties that may help soothe an upset stomach or decrease joint/body pain.
Pairs well with: 
Leafy greens, lemon, coconut, pineapple, apple, chocolate

Matcha Powder
Made from green tea leaves and contains 130 times more of the cancer fighting ingredient EGCG which has an anti-inflammatory effect on immune cells.
Pairs well with: 
Peaches, mint, cocoa, coconut, vanilla

weSPARK Cancer Support Center is located in Los Angeles and offers completely FREE programs, workshops, classes and individual therapies to cancer patients, survivors and their loved ones. Remember to take a look at our monthly program schedule for more information about the services we offer.

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