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Load up on vitamin C the natural way with this refreshing Vitamin C Powerhouse Smoothie recipe. This immune boosting smoothie is packed full of delicious vitamin C rich ingredients.
This Vitamin C Powerhouse Smoothie is delicious, refreshing and packed full of ingredients high in vitamin C. I actually developed this recipe a number of years back as part of one of my assignments for the Culinary Nutrition Expert Program (offered though the Academy of Culinary Nutrition). I was cleaning up my computer files and was so happy to rediscover this smoothie! It sure does pack a vitamin C punch. Grab your blender and give it a try!
Benefits Of Vitamin C
Should you increase your vitamin C consumption? Vitamin C is well known for strengthening the immune system. This is why most people only think about increasing their intake when they feel a cold coming on. However, vitamin C has some amazing benefits beyond boosting your immune system. Some of the other incredible benefits include:
- Required for the growth and repair of tissues in all parts of your body
- Helps the body make collagen, an important protein used to make skin, cartilage, tendons, ligaments and blood vessels
- Needed for healing wounds and for repairing and maintaining bones and teeth
- Helps prevent iron deficiency
- Powerful antioxidant that helps to keep dangerous free radicals in check
- Lowers risk of some cancers, high blood pressure and heart disease
To learn more about the benefits of vitamin C, check out these articles on Medical News Today and Healthline.
Which Foods Are High In Vitamin C?
Since your body does not produce this water-soluble vitamin naturally, it is very important to fuel up on vitamin C rich foods. Fruits and vegetables are the best food sources of vitamin C. Some examples include: guava, bell peppers, citrus fruits, strawberries, papaya, broccoli, pineapple, cantaloupe, tomatoes and dark leafy greens.
This smoothie recipe is packed full of ingredients that are rich in vitamin C and is super delicious! The combination of goji berries, orange, strawberries, lemon, guava and camu camu powder pack a vitamin C punch! And did I mention that it is yummy and super refreshing?! That is the important bit, right?
How To Make This Vitamin C Powerhouse Smoothie
Gather Your Ingredients: You will need the following…
- Goji Berries: Soak 2 tbsp goji berries in 1/2 cup of water for 5-10 minutes to soften them up. You can find them in your local health food store, some grocery stores or online at Amazon or Well.ca.
- Orange: 1 whole, peeled seedless orange
- Strawberries: 1 cup of strawberries
- Lemon or Lime Juice: freshly squeezed
- Guava or Pineapple: 1 whole peeled guava or substitute for 1 cup pineapple if guava is difficult to find in your area
- Camu Camu Powder: This supplement is one of the most concentrated natural food sources of vitamin C. Here is an option on Amazon and one on Well.ca. Or check out your local health store.
- Ice Cubes: 1 or 2 handfuls of ice
Blend It Up: Place all the ingredients (including the goji berry soaking water) in a high speed blender like this Vitamix that I love. Blend on high until smooth. Adjust consistency as desired! Too thin? Add some more ice. Too thick? Add a touch more water.
Serve and Enjoy! Pour into two glasses and enjoy this immune boosting, vitamin C rich smoothie!
Detailed ingredient list and directions located in the recipe card below.
What is camu camu?
If you have never heard of this superfood, it is a fruit native to the Amazon rainforest. Camu camu is one of the densest natural sources of vitamin C in the world. The fresh berries are very tart which is why they are commonly found in powder form. To learn more about the benefits of camu camu, check out this article.
Can I leave out the camu camu powder?
Of course! The smoothie will still be filled with vitamin C rich fruits. The camu camu powder just kicks it into high gear.
If you prefer a hot drink, then check out my Orange Spice Mulled Tea recipe. Not only is it a rich source of antioxidants that help boost your immune system but it is also so comforting and smells amazing!
I hope you enjoy this smoothie and the boost of vitamin C it provides. Let me know if you give it a try in the comments below!
Vitamin C Powerhouse Smoothie
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 0 min
- Total Time: 10 min
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Blender
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Load up on vitamin C the natural way with this refreshing Vitamin C Powerhouse Smoothie recipe. This immune boosting smoothie is packed full of delicious vitamin C rich ingredients.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons goji berries
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 whole, peeled seedless orange
- 1 cup strawberries
- 1 whole peeled guava (or 1 cup pineapple) *see notes
- 1 tablespoon fresh lemon or lime juice
- 1 teaspoon camu camu powder
- 1 – 2 handfuls ice cubes
Instructions
- Soften goji berries: Soak goji berries in the 1/2 cup of water for 5-10 minutes (to soften).
- Add ingredients to blender: Put all ingredients into a high speed blender (including the goji berry soaking water).
- Blend: Blend on high until smooth.
Notes
- Guava Note: Guava is really high in vitamin C but it can be difficult to find depending on where you live. If you can’t find guava (or are not a fan), just substitute it for some chopped up pineapple. The smoothie will still pack a Vitamin C punch.
- Adjust to your preferred consistency: If the smoothie is too thin, add in some more ice. If it is too thick, pour in a touch more water.
- Find goji berries and camu camu powder at your local health food store or online. Goji berries: Amazon | Well.ca. Camu camu powder: Amazon | Well.ca
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The brightness and colour of the photos look amazing! I would love to have one of these right now. Bookmarked for later – thanks so much!
It definitely is a glass of sunshine!
Wow…this sounds and looks amazing! And I love how it’s so simple and yet it packs a nutrient and flavor punch. Thanks for sharing this!
Thanks for the kind comment! I am so happy that you love it!
This is delicious! I’d never heard of camu camu before so I didn’t have them but I will search some out for next time, thanks for this great immune booster 🙂
It still provides a great dose of vitamin C without it! The camu camu powder just gives it an extra boost. Glad you enjoyed it!
Those are some wonderful ingredients for a smoothie! Love the color and I’m sure it is a super immune booster! Wish I had all the ingredients to make it right away!
Thanks! Hope you will be able to try it soon.
Always love a refreshing smoothie in the mornings, and this looks delish!
It sure is! Hope you enjoy it!
Very cool, I’ve never heard about Camu Camu before. We’re really trying to get a lot more Vitamin C these days and smoothies are the answer!
I first heard of camu camu about 5 years ago when researching vitamin C rich foods. It is now one of the few “superfood” powders that I keep around to add into things for an extra boost.
I’ve just started hearing about camu camu recently and was curious about it. It could be a great pick me up in smoothies while I’m home.
It is definitely a great way to give smoothies an extra boost of vitamin C.