How to drink a green smoothie

[punpkin]

I am confused about this issue. I subscribe to the idea that you should swish your smoothie around in your mouth before swallowing so that saliva is mixed with the smoothie which, from what I understand, makes the absorption of the enzymes better, that you shouldn't just gulp down a smoothie. But then it also makes sense to use a straw when drinking green smoothies so as to protect tooth enamel. I seem to have drawn myself into a corner, though, because why am I using a straw if I'm just going to swish? My very own behavior makes no sense even to me! ;) Any thoughts would be helpful!:confused

[MysticTree]

I think you are meant to chew them! I don't like smoothies much.

[dime]

saliva is mixed with the smoothie which, from what I understand, makes the absorption of the enzymes better

This sounds wrong to me, enzymes are proteins, and in order to digest proteins you need protein enzymes, which saliva itself doesn't contain. Saliva has amylase which is an enzyme helping in starch digestion, so you want to chew well when you eat starchy foods. Otherwise chewing/saliva is not that essential when the food is liquid (like when drinking a smoothie).

[harvie316]

just drink the sucker, and stop over thinking :)

[Revvell]

just drink the sucker, and stop over thinking :)

Agreed....

[kaleboy]

you need to chew it else your body will think it is a liquid...I like them cold. A good tip is the longer you blend the hotter they get. SO in summer you may want to shortern your blend time...when you're done it is a good idea to rinse your mouth out with water and the same with vege juices.

[punpkin]

Not really the strong opinions I was expecting. I credit green smoothies with helping me finally go raw after trying four other times and failing each time. They were the one thing my body must've needed because they were the only thing that ever helped me with cravings. These days, mine are packed with Spirulina, maca and msm. I adore my green smoothies and like a lot of raw foodists, I plan to drink many, many more of them in the future. THerefore, protecting my tooth enamel and getting the most nutrition and benefit from my green smoothies is of high importance to me. I don't know that that 'just don't worry about it' really cut it in this case.
What I mean to say is that if any one has any information they either researched or experienced with the thread title, please let me know. I can't be the only one out there swishing my green smoothie around in my mouth till it's warm for greatest absorption for the last two years! :)

[siennagray]

Like others, I have read/heard that you should chew your smoothies. And yes, I believe it is important to get the enzymes in there before swallowing to get the greatest nutritional benefit. However, I don't think minutes of swishing would get you much more than just a quick swish. If you haven't read Victoria Boutenko's Green For Life, I'm pretty sure she goes into more detail on this topic in that book.

To protect your tooth enamel, rinse with water after your smoothie. Do not brush your teeth within a half hour if there was citrus in it.

[The Sproutarian (Mr Raw)]

To protect your tooth enamel, rinse with water after your smoothie.
l actually find that that does help. So yes, drink the smoothie, swish it around and then rinse your teeth by swishing water around in your mouth.

[Raw Angel Mom]

Digestion start in the mouth. I learned that in my high school biology course. We did experiment etc....

Anyway. Yes, it seems like a great plan to use the straw. This is what i do. I notice that the saliva get mix in the same time. You seem to have a good instinct about this.

Don't brush your teeth right of way. Don't use typical tooth paste but a natural soap or a special soap made of olive oil, essential oil etc.. Swirl with raw coconut oil and himalayan salt. This will preserve your email and even aid to built it. Floss your teeth. Brush only morning and night. During the day you can floss and of course do that morning and night too

All the best!

[punpkin]

Thanks for the input, ya'll, I appreciate it! More stuff to research, for sure. How did we ever live without the Internet?:)

[Raw Angel Mom]

Thanks for the input, ya'll, I appreciate it! More stuff to research, for sure. How did we ever live without the Internet?:)

I know there is such a good side about this, lol... The other sad side too but i sure appreciate the information that we could get and the education.

All the best!