So you want a smoothie, but you also want it to contain some gut-friendly boosts. Here are the best supplements for smoothies (namely, my top 13 gut healing boosts for smoothies (and/or smoothie bowls)).

Truth. Probably the only real reason I drink smoothies and eat smoothie bowls is so that I can pack all the gut healing boosts into them. 

I’ve been doing this for years.

In fact, there was once a time when I organized a 7-day smoothie challenge. This was mostly so that we all had a vehicle to easily incorporate some of our favorite dietary supplements. 

And it doesn’t matter how many years go by, the challenge remains relevant, delicious, and fun.

In case you want in on all this fun, you can do so for free HERE. 

Anyways, while I do believe that a daily smoothie can be great as-is, I also believe that because a smoothie is thick and in liquid form, already with great flavor, you can add gut-healing boosts without changing your delicious smoothie.

This doesn’t always work, but with the below options, it will work.

Best Supplements for Smoothies (Top 13 Gut Healing Boosts for Smoothies)

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1. Tummy Soothe

I’m starting here because it’s the most convenient way to get your immune-boosting smoothie. And if we’re talking great smoothie additions, this might be my TOP choice.

Why? 

Because Tummy Soothe is a comprehensive blend of immunoglobulins and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine, specifically formulated to help repair and support the health of the gut lining. It contains a therapeutic dose of IgG, which supports gut health, healthy intestinal cells, the immune system, and GI barrier integrity.

It comes as a flavorless powder, making it a great addition for smoothies – regardless if they are green smoothies or a cocaco powder smoothie with nut butters. 

2. L-Glutamine 

L-glutamine is another one of my favorite ways to boost smoothies. It is the primary fuel source for the cells that line your intestinal wall.

I believe in L-Glutamine so strongly for gut healing that I wrote an entire blog post about it and added it to our supplement line (Gut Support) at guthealingsupplements.com because I think it’s imperative for overall health.

During periods of intense gut healing, I find myself taking 15-20g per day. If you toss just a couple scoops in your morning smoothie, you will already be at 6g, and you’ve covered a great ground base for the day. 

Bonus for l-glutamine is that it helps preserve muscle mass, which is critical as we age and/or are engaging with certain workout protocols.

3. Collagen

Collagen provides the infrastructure of the musculoskeletal system, essential for mobility. 

It’s a great protein addition, and I take it almost daily. Our collagen (Re-Build) contains 11 grams of protein in just one scoop. It’s made up of a unique blend of three patented collagen peptides (Verisol, Fortigel, and Fortibone) and nothing else.

The nice thing about collagen is that it doesn’t clump like gelatin will, so adding it right into your smoothie is seamless.

4. Quercetin 

THIS quercetin is the powdered form, which is how you are able to add it into your own smoothie. 

Quercetin acts as an antioxidant that fights inflammation, which is the main cause for most diseases related to human health. 

We get quercetin from foods like apples, peppers, red wine (can I get an amen?!), capers, olive oil, and beans, but during times when we need that extra boost for lowering inflammation, adding it as a powder into a healthy smoothie comes in handy.

5. Moringa 

I’ve been praising Moringa long before it was popular. 

In fact, I was writing about it in 2015 and by that time had already figured out how to make my own Moringa powder. 

Among many other things, Moringa has been known to aid in digestive functioning. When my Perioral Dermatitis was at its worst is when I really got serious about taking it, as I was trying to reduce inflammation throughout my entire body. It worked, and I believe in all that it can do to this day. 

Note: Moringa definitely has a taste. I’d say it’s somewhat earthy and I probably wouldn’t use it in an overly fruity smoothie. It pairs best with green powders (it also has sort of a green color) and/or cacao/avocado smoothie. 

6. Ashwagandha 

Ashwaghanda is an adaptogenic herb that you might not otherwise think to add for gut healing. 

Here is why I do – the health benefits of adaptogenic herbs: improves thyroid function, relieves “adrenal fatigue,” combats stress and anxiety, and boosts immune function (source). 

So often when it comes to gut healing, we are seeking the thing that will miraculously target the gut and heal us quickly. 

The gut doesn’t heal like that. It also doesn’t end up in a broken state because of any one thing. Everything – yes, everything – plays into the gut and how well its functioning. By addressing the thyroid, “adrenal fatigue,” stress, and more you are ultimately addressing the gut as well. 

Note: While it doesn’t smell the greatest, I have found that I can add it safely to almost any smoothie.

7. Ginger 

Ginger has been a staple in both Ayurvedic and Chinese Medicine for thousands of years. It’s a warming spice and one of the best superfoods to help keep digestive juices moving in the digestive tract. 

It’s mostly used for nausea, indigestion and stomach cramping. For your smoothies, you’ll typically want to use ground ginger vs fresh ginger.

Note: Ginger definitely has a spicy taste to it, so you’ll want to be sure it’s the right add in to your smoothie. A little will go a long way. 

8. Chia Seeds

Why do I use these for gut healing? Because when I’m in a period of not eating a ton of fiber by way of broccoli, sweet potatoes, and other high-FODMAP fibers, chia seeds are a way I can easily get a ton of fiber to help keep things moving through me. 

Chia seeds are packed with healthy fats; rich in PUFA’s (polyunsaturated fats), namely omega-3 fatty acids. For both gut healing and gut health, we want to ensure that we’re eating enough omega-3 fatty acids (and that omega-6’s are not far outweighing the 3’s).

You can save that same 10% at Perfect Supplements by using my code from above and grabbing your chia seeds HERE.

If you’re interested in a ground chia seed, Nutiva has an Organic Ground Chia Seed, which also works great in a smoothie. 

Note: The taste is neutral, but the texture is not neutral if you choose the traditional (vs. ground) chia seed. 

9. Flaxseeds 

I choose to add ground flaxseeds to my smoothies for the same reason I choose chia seeds; extra fiber which acts as a supplement in and of itself.

As a side note that I will mention just super quickly – flaxseeds are also used in seed cycling. 

Seed cycling is used for hormonal balance (again, the gut and hormones go hand-in-hand). And since I practice seed cycling, I also have a bag of whole flax seeds. I grind them on the daily, and they work lovely in smoothies. 

Note: Flaxseeds are fairly nutty tasting. Because of it, if I’m looking for a specific sweet smoothie (i.e. lots of citrus fruit), I avoid flaxseed because I don’t think it’s tastes the best.

10. Pumpkin Seeds

I do not buy pre-ground pumpkin seeds. 

I buy them whole, and grind when I want to add them to smoothies. (To grind nuts and seeds fresh, I use my Magic Bullet, Vitamix, or Coffee Grinder.) 

Pumpkin seeds are also used in seed cycling, and they also help cleanse the body because they are full of nutrients. 

Note: They may have a slightly earthy/nutty flavor, but I don’t get a huge flavor burst from them. As with the flaxseeds, though, I wouldn’t use them with citrus.

11. Hempseeds 

Whenever you are looking for a thicker and creamier smoothie or smoothie bowl, tossing in hempseeds is one super easy way to do so.

Hemp seeds are a nearly perfect food source. High in digestible protein, healthy Omega essential fatty acids (EFAs) and naturally occurring minerals, hemp seeds are also free of gluten and have no known allergens. (source)

Taste: Hempseeds have a slightly earthy taste, but I find myself adding them to most smoothies. 

12. Probiotic

So, the answer is “No, no you cannot just toss a probiotic capsule in the blender and blend away.”

I mean, I guess you probably could, but it’s not ideal. 

Without exception, I add a probiotic into both my smoothies and my children’s smoothies. 

It’s the ultimate easy + great way to get your probiotic in. 

The key, though, is that you must have a high-quality probiotic in order to do this (open up the capsule and pour its contents in the smoothie). I use the Just Thrive Probiotic. You can learn all about it HERE. And if you purchase the probiotic HERE, just use my code AGUTSYGIRL and you’ll save 15%. 

Note: None at all. You’ll never know it’s there.  

13. Liquid Coconut Oil 

On a list of specific thing aimed at healing leaky gut, I call out coconut. 

There is so much research out there on the benefits of coconut oil as it relates to the gut. 

If you can get past all the BS the media puts out by way of organizations like the American Heart Association, you might get to the really good stuff that proves its benefit. 

Coconut oil turns to liquid when it’s really warm out; otherwise, it stays solid. 

If you toss some coconut oil into a smoothie, it will harden because the smoothie is so cold. Most don’t enjoy that chunkiness, so my best recommendation is simply to add in the liquid coconut oil. It will stay liquid, and you’ll never notice it’s there. 

Note: The liquid coconut oil is only slightly coconut flavored. You likely won’t notice it at all.

Other Best Supplements for Smoothies

In addition to my top 13 gut healing boosts for smoothies, there are some other best supplements for smoothies you might consider.

They include:

1. Athletic Greens. This is for those who are looking for an all-in-one green superfood powder.
2. Plant-Based Protein powder. If you are plant-based and your smoothie already contains the whole foods likes of leafy greens, whole fruits, and almond milk, you might want to incorporate a plant-based protein powder. Two of my favorites are the Naked Pea Protein (a pea protein powder) and the Perfect Plant Protein. Read more about both HERE.
3. Protein powder supplements in general. Whey protein powder can provide an instant boost in protein content. The only thing to really watch for here (if you are truly concerned with gut health) is added sugar and/or artificial sweeteners and other ingredients. You do not want them. HERE are 8 best protein powders for sensitive stomachs.

Anything else you add to your smoothies and smoothie bowls for gut healing? Let me know in the comments below.

Note: Never just add in supplements haphazardly. If it’s something that you have no clue about, consult with your doctor or nutritionist. Otherwise, you could be doing yourself more harm than good.

If you liked this post on the best supplements for smoothies, you might also enjoy:

1. How to Make Protein Shakes Thicker {22 Ways that are Gut Friendly}
2. 10 Gut Healing Boosts for Bone Broth
3. What are Digestive Enzymes

Xox,
SKH