Goop founder Gwyneth Paltrow, who married TV producer, Brad Falchuk, over the weekend, recently shared her morning smoothie recipe to her readers, and not surprisingly, the wellness buff is all about adaptogens.
According to Goop’s website, “Gwyneth drinks adaptogens every morning, whether or not she’s detoxing.”
Adaptogens are known to reduce the levels of stress hormones in your blood, helping you to “adapt” more easily to difficult situations by either being calming or stimulating. From skincare to tonics, adaptogens are pretty much all the rage right now, so it’s no wonder that Paltrow has boarded the bandwagon.
In addition to adaptogens, Paltrow’s smoothie is also chockfull of other popular wellness buzzwords, like maca and ashwagandha, that are said to do a body good. But should you try it?
The Recipe
According to Goop, this is what “GP” drinks every morning:
1 cup almond milk
1 tablespoon almond butter
1 teaspoon coconut oil
2 tablespoons vanilla mushroom protein powder
1 teaspoon maca
1 teaspoon ashwagandha
1 teaspoon he shou wu
1 teaspoon cordyceps
1 teaspoon moon dust of choice
pinch Himalayan sea salt
pinch vanilla powder (optional)
The Benefits
Not surprisingly, Paltrow’s smoothie is filled with other multiple health benefits beside adaptogens.
For starters, maca, a relative of the radish family that smells a little like butterscotch, is an excellent source of calcium, potassium, iron, iodine, and B vitamins. In addition, studies have shown it can improve libido and fertility in men and women, as well as been proven to promote hormone balance in women.
Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb, and according to Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, studies have shown that it has anti-inflammatory effects, as well as helps to reduce fatigue.
And for those who aren’t familiar, he shou wu is a Chinese herb; studies on the herb revealed that it contains polysaccharides, which are potent phytochemicals, meaning it has powerful antioxidant properties that help rid the body of free radicals.
Cordyceps are essentially “medical mushrooms”. Healthline reports a number of studies have unveiled multiple benefits, including boosting exercise performance and anti-aging properties.
The Cons
There are some health risks associated with the above ingredients.
Maca may counteract blood thinning medications, and because it contains goitrogens, it may interfere with those who have thyroid issues.
While taking ashwagandha in small to medium doses is said to be okay, its long-term effects are not known. Additionally, because it can cause premature labor, pregnant women are advised not to take it.
Side effects of cordyceps include dry mouth, nausea, and diarrhea. Also, there’s been limited research on the effects of cordyceps on humans, so its long-term health benefits also cannot be verified.
The Takeaway
Paltrow’s smoothie, while ambitious, has its merits. However, it’s always recommended to speak with your doctor or a health professional before you take a cue from her smoothie recipe.
Related on Organic Authority
Gwyneth Paltrow’s Goop to Pay $145,000 for ‘Unsubstantiated’ Vaginal Egg Claims
Gwyneth Paltrow ‘Converts’ James Corden to Vaginal Steaming – Are You Next?
This is What Happens to Your Body When You Take These Adaptogenic Herbs
The post This is What’s in Gwyneth Paltrow’s Morning Adaptogen Smoothie, Should You Drink It appeared first on Organic Authority.