IN NEWS that will dismay some and delight others (hello schadenfreude), it seems green smoothies might actually be bad for you.
According to self-proclaimed "father of biohacking" Dave Asprey, it's the high levels of oxalates found in leafy greens such as kale, silverbeet and spinach that are at issue.
While small amounts of these naturally occurring compounds aren't usually harmful, when consumed in large quantities, oxalates can bind to minerals like calcium, preventing them from being absorbed in your digestive system.
The real trouble, Asprey explained, starts when oxalates bind to calcium in your blood, forming tiny, sharp crystals that can be deposited anywhere in the body, causing muscle pain.
If your body is low on urine volume and high on oxalates, these minerals can build up and lead to painful kidney stones.
"There's this idea that the smoothie will clean you up, but it's probably going to clog your kidneys," said Asprey.
Apparently, oxalate crystals are behind a whopping 80% of kidney stone cases in the US.
Asprey said the body can handle 200mg of oxalates a day, but one green smoothie with almond milk and spinach can have five times that.
However, all is not lost - you can reduce your chances of forming the stones by drinking plenty of water to help thin out your urine and prevent calcium and oxalate build up.
The above article was sent to subscribers in Pharmacy Daily's issue from 10 Mar 25
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