Summer Strawberry (and blackberry) Smoothie 🍓

The strawberry sensation to spice up your summer! ☀️

Nutrition

This summer smoothie is based on a flavoursome mix of strawberries and blackberries, it is not only refreshing and tasty, but it also provides the nutritional benefits for everyday life. Berries contain high amounts of antioxidants that protect against cancer, due to the presence of ellagic acid and quercetin, which show human tumour cell’s anti-proliferative properties in vitro. They also fight against cardiovascular disease, due to the presence of anthocyanins that not only are responsible for the bright colour of the fruit, but also have cardioprotective properties. The most important antioxidant found in all berries is ascorbic acid (vitamin C). It is particularly prevalent in fresh strawberries. The bioactive compounds found in these fruits are used to create functional food and nutraceuticals. They are also used in folk medicine as a potential remedy for different ailments: strawberries are used as a potential remedy for constipation, due to their diuretic properties, whereas blackberries are used for treating colitis and age-related diseases such as neurodegeneration. They contain digested metabolites that protect the neural cells against oxidative damage. Finally, this recipe contains a secret ingredient; ginger. We used this spice as it is a natural digestive that counteracts against nausea and protects against microbial spoilage.

We would suggest making this smoothie in the summer, as the berries are seasonal, therefore environmentally sustainable, and they contain more vitamin C than their frozen counterparts.

What You Need

Strawberries

Blackberries

Ginger

Yogurt (we used plant yogurt but can be done with diary)

Milk (we used plant milk but can be done with cow's milk)

Honey or maple syrup (if vegan)

1 serving

Method

1. Cut your strawberries and blackberries into quarters

2. Add your fruit, ginger and yogurt to the blender

3. Blend on a slow velocity, slowly adding your plant-based milk until thick

4. To sweeten up your smoothie, add a splash agave syrup

5. Blend some more

6. Decorate with pumpkin seeds!