This gastroenterologist’s secret weapon for gut-healthy smoothies? Broccoli sprouts. That’s right—Dr. Bulsiewicz is “utterly obsessed” with incorporating broccoli sprouts into his smoothies. Despite their unconventional nature, he assures that when combined with the right ingredients, broccoli sprouts offer numerous benefits for gut health without an overpowering flavor. Ready to get blending?
A Gastroenterologist’s Favorite Smoothie Recipe for Optimal Gut Health
In a recent Instagram post, Dr. Bulsiewicz shared his four-ingredient broccoli sprouts smoothie recipe that he drinks daily. This basic combination of frozen blueberries, bananas, soy milk, and the star of the show—broccoli sprouts—is carefully designed to support healthy digestion. Let’s explore each component in more detail.
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Blueberries
Blueberries are packed with prebiotic fiber, which nourishes the beneficial gut bacteria. They are also known for their anti-inflammatory properties, making them a perfect addition to Dr. Bulsiewicz’s daily smoothie. Plus, they add a sweet, floral, and tangy flavor to the mix.
Bananas
Bananas, rich in prebiotic fiber similar to blueberries, support the probiotics in the gut. Opting for slightly underripe bananas provides resistant starch, a special fiber that nourishes healthy gut bacteria for a balanced microbiome.
Soy Milk
Dr. Bulsiewicz recommends soy milk as the go-to plant-based milk for gut health. Research suggests that soy milk positively impacts the gut microbiome by increasing levels of beneficial bacteria like Bifidobacteria. Additionally, soy milk benefits range from preventing inflammation to improving bone health.
Broccoli Sprouts
Broccoli sprouts release a phytochemical called sulforaphane, which offers healing, anti-inflammatory, and potential cancer-fighting properties. Their bitter taste is balanced out in the smoothie with sweet or tart ingredients, allowing you to benefit from their incredible health properties.
You can sprout your own broccoli seeds at home or find broccoli sprouts at many grocery stores. A small amount goes a long way, and incorporating them into your smoothie won’t overpower the flavor. Dr. Bulsiewicz’s key to a delicious broccoli sprouts smoothie recipe is balancing out the bitterness with sweetness from berries or banana.
One brain-boosting smoothie bowl coming right up:
Well+Good articles reference scientific, reliable, recent, robust studies to back up the information we share. You can trust us along your wellness journey.
- Fujisawa, Tomohiko et al. “The effect of soymilk intake on the fecal microbiota, particularly Bifidobacterium species, and intestinal environment of healthy adults: a pilot study.” Bioscience of microbiota, food and health vol. 36,1 (2017): 33-37. doi:10.12938/bmfh.16-017
- O’Callaghan, Amy, and Douwe van Sinderen. “Bifidobacteria and Their Role as Members of the Human Gut Microbiota.” Frontiers in microbiology vol. 7 925. 15 Jun. 2016, doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.00925
- Matthews, Vichuda Lousuebsakul et al. “Soy milk and dairy consumption is independently associated with ultrasound attenuation of the heel bone among postmenopausal women: the Adventist Health Study-2.” Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.) vol. 31,10 (2011): 766-75. doi:10.1016/j.nutres.2011.09.016
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