Spirulina, spinach, kale, broccoli: the benefits of Performance Greens

What are Performance Greens?

Healthspan Elite's Performance Greens powder is a blend of natural plant extracts including spirulina, spinach, kale, broccoli, pomegranate and kiwi fruit. It also contains Actazin Digestive Enzymes, to help support the digestive system.

How can Performance Greens help performance?

Performance Greens are an effective way to get a sufficient variety of plant foods into your diet, which is not always possible due to time constraints and training commitments.

Plant foods are important for digestive health and maintaining immunity, with the corresponding effect on maintaining optimal performance.

Nigel Mitchell, Performance Nutritionist, uses greens as an alkaline source to balance acidity in the gut and so support gut health. He finds them particularly useful when an athlete is following a specialised diet low in fruit and vegetables, such as a low-residue plan to reduce bulk in the bowel.

The plant foods in greens can have a variety of beneficial effects. Spirulina, for example, may be of benefit to endurance athletes: one study found that male cyclists who had taken spirulina for three weeks had a lower heart rate during a cycling test, and another found that those taking spirulina could run for longer before becoming fatigued.

One theory for these gains is that spirulina increases levels of haemoglobin, which carries oxygen around the blood.

How should I take Performance Greens?

A standard serving size is 10g of Performance Greens powder mixed with water. A minimal intake for athletes on a restricted fruit and vegetable diet is three Performance Greens shakes a day.

If an athlete is away at competition and the available food is of poor quality, two Performance Greens shakes will help. There are no health concerns around taking greens.