Dan Buettner, an explorer and journalist, spends a lot of time studying Blue Zones, regions in the world (including Sardinia, Italy and Okinawa, Japan) where centenarians without health problems are commonplace. An important part of the Blue Zones diet is eating whole foods and mostly vegetables; the Blue Zones smoothie marks both squares.
Buettner shared his Blue Zones smoothie recipe. It contains lots of fruits and vegetables, both of which are food groups, which he says should always be in your fridge and freezer. The only ingredients you need are blueberries, frozen spinach, oatmeal and cinnamon.
© Photo: Getty Images / Arx0nt
blue zone smoothie
Blueberries are a smoothie staple for this reason. They have a laundry list of benefits, including supporting gut health and digestion, and reducing the risk of developing heart disease and type 2 diabetes. Spinach is also a nutrient that contains a lot of antioxidants along with fiber and calcium.
Instead of dairy products, Buettner uses oat milk (the darling of the whole milk set). People in Blue Zones usually do not eat a lot of dairy products, and if they do, it is of high quality, so this exchange makes sense. According to Buettner, cinnamon increases ‘sweetness without sugar’. Cinnamon can also help reduce inflammation and blood sugar, and it supports your metabolism. Put everything in the blender and you have a nice, smooth nutrient that helps promote longevity.
Ingredients
1 cup blueberries
Handful of frozen spinach
1 cup oat milk
Slice of cinnamon
1. Mix all ingredients in a blender.
2. Mix until smooth.
Everything you ever wanted to know about oat milk:
For more healthy recipes and cooking ideas from our community, join Well + Good’s Cook With Us Facebook group.
Read more