A Pomegranate Chai Smoothie that includes 8 ounces of Pom Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice is how I recover after exercise and how I drink to good health.
Disclosure: I received free samples of POM Wonderful mentioned in this post. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by POM Wonderful and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.
Your 2018 New Year’s Resolutions are in full swing, making it the perfect time to talk about something #CrazyHealthy. That something, is POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice.
What makes a juice #CrazyHealthy?
First of all, as a registered dietitian using evidence based information to focus on nutrition from a healthy aging perspective, I am excited about the potential benefits of pomegranate juice on memory and cognition.
In a preliminary 2013 UCLA study, it was found that a small group of older adults with age-related memory complaints who drank 8 ounces of pomegranate juice daily had increased verbal memory performance and functional brain activity in fMRI testing after just four weeks.
*These early scientific results on the impact of pomegranate juice on the brain have not yet been adequately studied. Further clincial research on larger populations is needed to help establish causation and to determine the long term effects of pomegranate on memory and cognition.
Including 8 ounces of pomegranate juice into my daily routine is easy because I love the slightly sweet, slightly tart taste of Pom Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice. The possibility that this juice may also be enhancing my memory and cognition makes it a win, win!
Secondly, by integrating food with physical activity, I champion practical ways to reach health and fitness goals. I am ‘juiced up’ about the potential benefits Pom Wonderful 100% pomegranate juice has as a post workout beverage.
Did you know 100% pomegranate juice is powered by unique polyphenols that early research suggests have promising results for post-workout muscle strength recovery? Certain types of polyphenol antioxidants, like those found in pomegranate juice, may help increase nitric oxide bioavailability by protecting if from breaking down in the body. Nitric oxide helps your body get the oxygen and nutrients it needs druing exercise.
*Although the research reported is promising, additional clinical research is needed to establish causation and the potential impact of pomegranate polyphenols and exercise.
Maintaining my ability to remain active as I age, is a high priority for me. It’s one of the reasons I incorporate 8 ounces of pomegrantate juice into my routine after a bout of exercise, like this Pomegranate Chai Smoothie. 
Talk about drinking to your health! This smoothie has unique polyphenols plus everything else you need for recovery: fluid, protein for muscle protein synthesis (24 grams), carbohydrate for glycogen replacement(52 grams) and both sodium and potassium, (100 mg and 314 mg respectively). The taste of chai spices paired with 100% Pom Wonderful Pomegranate juice will delight your taste buds. Hold on cause there’s one more thing: this drink works as both a cold refreshing beverage and also as a warm smoothie! Either way, you get the benefits of a delicious post workout beverage. Be sure to see the links at the bottom of this post for more #CrazyHealthy ideas from the Recipe Redux team!
Pomegranate Chai Smoothie
- Prep Time: 5
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 1x
- Cuisine: beverage
Ingredients
- 8 ounces 100% Pom wonderful pomegrante juice
- 1 cup Vanilla Skyr non-fat yogurt
- 3 teaspoons instant unsweetened tea
- 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
- 8 ice cubes
- pomegrantate arils for garnish
Instructions
FOR THE COLD BEVERAGE
Place ingredients from pomegranate juice thru ice cubes into a blender container. Cover and mix until smooth. Garnish with pomegranate arils. Serve immediately.
FOR THE WARM BEVERAGE
Place ingredients from pomegranate juice thru allspice into blender (omitting ice altogether). Cover and mix until smooth. Pour blended beverage into a microwavable mug and heat on medium high (70%) for 15 seconds. Remove and stir. Test for temperature. Repeat until desired temperature is reached. Garnish with pomegranate arils. Serve immediately.
Notes
SaveSave
SaveSave
If you’re like me, you make fresh cranberry sauce once a year. If there happens to be any leftover, it’s sinful to waste. Adding it to turkey sandwiches is a plus, and this year I’m expanding my cranberry inspiration by making cranberry shrubs.
With 50% fewer calories than sugar, Truvia® Nectar is a simple switch that adds honey sweetness wherever you use agave, sugar or honey. Blended with stevia leaf extract and honey, Truvia® Nectar may help with you with weight maintenance and/or weight loss, by improving your ability to manage sugar intake and reduce calories as part of a balanced diet.
Recent Comments