Down green drinks for a winter boost, but beware – not all brands load the same zip

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Wheat grass makes green drinks a bad bet for allergic folk.

 

Grassy know-all

 

Down green drinks for a winter boost, but beware – not all brands load

the same zip

 

NOW | JAN 20 - 26, 2005 | VOL. 24 NO. 21

http://www.nowtoronto.com/issues/2005-01-20/goods_health.php

 

BY Sibylle Preuschat

 

If the winter frost is sending you indoors for too much sloth and sleep,

you might find yourself turning to green drinks for a dose of vigour.

 

We're talking here about those jars of powder containing everything from

dehydrated wheat grass juice and sea vegetables to herbal extracts and

colon-friendly bacteria. It can be taken in capsules or mixed with liquid.

 

These mixtures are marketed as cleansers and energy boosters, and recent

research backs some of the hype. Still, don't mindlessly chug them.

 

You shouldn't let anyone sell you the stuff because you're sick. Many

green drinks contain herbs and other ingredients that can interact with

medications and other herbs. And if your body is burdened with a toxic

load, the cleansing effects could be too rough. The bottom line? If

you're not basically healthy, consult with a practitioner before guzzling.

 

If you've got allergies, be aware that some of these compounds contain

bee products. Even wheat or barley grass extracts might cause reactions

if you're super-sensitive to grains.

 

If you're taking both herb formulas and a green drink that contains

licorice, make sure you're not inadvertently overdosing yourself with

that herb, which can cause high blood pressure.

 

Some people who use green supplements also cycle on for three to four

weeks, off for one or two weeks, to avoid herbal overexposure. There's

no research yet indicating whether their concern is real.

 

Green drinks definitely have antioxidant power that helps stop cell

damage due to stress, pollution and poor diet. But brands vary in

effectiveness, because of the quality of the raw ingredients. The

experts agree that these products are no substitute for fresh fruits and

veggies – you'll get the most benefit from the powdery tonics if you're

already eating a healthy diet.

 

What the experts say

 

" Green drinks act as a safety net. If a person finds it too difficult to

achieve five to 10 servings of fruits and vegetables a day, I look at a

green supplement. Because green drinks are quite detoxifying, it's best

to gradually increase one's intake to avoid side effects such as

headaches or diarrhea. Morning is the best time of day to have these, 20

minutes before a meal. That gives you the energy boost that's needed in

the morning, and it carries through the day. "

 

PATRICIA GABRYL , naturopath, Toronto

 

" Green foods contain chlorophyll, beta carotene, minerals - most

importantly trace minerals that enhance fat and sugar metabolism - and

protein. Some manufacturers accuse one another of having too much fibre

in their product as filler. Apple or grapefruit pectin is beneficial for

the colon and adds to the cleansing and detoxifying effect of the

chlorophyll. Green drinks have an anti-inflammatory effect and the

ability to alkalize the body. Many diseases occur because the body is

too acidic. They're not as good as real, wholesome food. But they're so

much better than prescription drugs. "

 

VIVIAN LEE , registered holistic nutritionist, manager, Canadian School

of Natural Nutrition, Toronto

 

" Independent testing has found big differences in the antioxidant

activity of various products. That's likely a result of choices made at

the supplier level. A consumer can call the company and ask, 'What's the

ORAC (a measure of antioxidant activity) score on this?' Decent ORAC

scores are 50(mmole TE/g) or higher. A top-notch green drink comes in at

320. The most alkaline-forming vegetable is spinach, and a top green

food product has double that alkalizing ability. "

 

ALAN LOGAN , naturopathic, consultant to ehn inc., makers of Greens+

 

" As a pharmacist, I was skeptical that Greens+ had enough of any one

ingredient to have a clinically significant effect. There was an

assumption that synergy existed between the ingredients, but no

research. The results of our findings were positive but not conclusive

that Greens+ increases vitality and energy. People taking it had higher

energy than those in the placebo group, and the difference was

statistically significant. The Greens+ group also scored higher on the

vitality scale, but the difference didn't quite reach statistical

significance. We questioned whether, if the trial had been longer, we

might have seen a statistically significant difference; we don't know.

I'll be honest, though. The results were far more positive than I expected. "

 

HEATHER BOON , assistant professor, Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy,

University of Toronto

 

" Drinks with herbs may be too stimulating, or may interact with

medications. Generally speaking, green foods contain magnesium and

vitamin K. Some people, if they get too much magnesium, may get

diarrhea. In people who have had strokes or heart attacks, vitamin K

might work against their medications. Some might be using these to avoid

their five servings of fruits and vegetables a day, and it's never been

proven that these drinks work that way. I do recommend them to people

who are under stress and don't eat properly. I don't think they're a bad

thing, but they're not a panacea. "

 

ZOLTAN RONA , MD, MSc the end