Berry–Green Tea Smoothie

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This berry-green tea smoothie recipe is a refreshing, nutrient-packed beverage with plenty of anti-inflammatory benefits. It combines antioxidant-rich berries, green tea and omega-3-rich chia seeds with the natural sweetness of dates, blending into a delicious, healthy drink. It’s perfect for starting your day or as a post-workout recovery drink. Your favorite berry or a blend of berries will work well here.

Anti-Inflammatory Berry–Green Tea Smoothie image
Credit:

Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

Active Time:
5 mins
Total Time:
5 mins
Servings:
1
  • The antioxidant-rich berries in this smoothie protect brain health, possibly reducing the risk of cognitive decline.
  • This recipe uses Medjool dates for natural sweetness, eliminating the need for added sugar.
  • Frozen berries keep your smoothie extra cold for a refreshing drink.

This Berry–Green Tea Smoothie recipe is our new favorite way to wake up. This delicious drink is bursting with antioxidant-packed berries, green tea and omega-3-rich chia seeds, and it gets a boost of natural sweetness from Medjool dates, so you can skip the added sugar. You can use your favorite frozen berry or use a mix for a berry-licious blend! Check out our tips for making this tasty smoothie your new favorite below.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • For the best smoothie, start with cold ingredients. Make sure the berries are frozen and the tea is chilled before you start blending.
  • To make strong-brewed tea, use 2 tea bags for 1 cup of water and let them steep for 5 minutes in the hot water before removing the bags and chilling the tea.
  • Any berry works well here, as do other naturally sweet frozen fruits like cherries, pineapple and even grapes!

Nutrition Notes

  • Mixed berries like blueberries and strawberries are packed with inflammation-busting antioxidants that protect brain health and may reduce the risk of cognitive decline.
  • Green tea boasts a cocktail of anti-inflammatory polyphenols. These powerful plant substances have been shown to lower markers of inflammation in people with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of conditions that raise the risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.
  • Chia seeds are one of a small handful of plant foods that contain the heart-healthy omega-3 fat alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). In addition to thwarting heart disease–related inflammation, ALA may lower unfavorable LDL cholesterol and increase beneficial HDL cholesterol.
Anti-Inflammatory Berry–Green Tea Smoothie image

Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 1 servings

  • 2 cups frozen mixed berries

  • 1 cup chilled unsweetened, strong brewed green tea

  • ¼ cup whole-milk plain strained (Greek-style) yogurt

  • 3 dried pitted Medjool dates

  • tablespoons black chia seeds

Directions

  1. Combine 2 cups frozen berries, 1 cup tea, ¼ cup yogurt, 3 dates and 1½ tablespoons chia seeds in a blender; process until smooth, about 1 minute. Pour into a glass and serve immediately.

    Anti-Inflammatory Berry–Green Tea Smoothie image

    Heami Lee, Food Stylist: Emily Nabors Hall, Prop Stylist: Christine Keeley

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are green tea smoothies healthy?

    Yes. Green tea smoothies can not only help fight inflammation, but the green tea may also help lower risk of heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

  • How can I make this smoothie dairy-free?

    You can swap out the strained yogurt for a plant-based yogurt instead. Opt for one that is Greek-style, which will be thicker and will give the smoothie a better texture.

  • Can I make this smoothie ahead?

    Smoothies are best made and enjoyed right away. You can, however, brew the tea ahead of time. If you want to make the smoothie more than once throughout the week, brew 4 to 6 cups of tea at a time and store it in your fridge.

EatingWell.com, December 2024

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

401 Calories
10g Fat
75g Carbs
12g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 1
Serving Size 2½ cups
Calories 401
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 75g 27%
Dietary Fiber 21g 74%
Total Sugars 49g
Added Sugars 0g 0%
Protein 12g 25%
Total Fat 10g 12%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 7mg 2%
Vitamin A 15µg
Vitamin C 84mg 94%
Vitamin D 0µg
Vitamin E 2mg 14%
Folate 73µg
Vitamin K 36µg
Sodium 29mg 1%
Calcium 247mg 19%
Iron 3mg 18%
Magnesium 133mg 32%
Potassium 862mg 18%
Zinc 2mg 20%
Vitamin B12 0µg
Omega 3 3g

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Alex Loh
Square Headshot of Alex Loh
Alex Loh is EatingWell's food editor. As part of the food team, she creates healthy, delicious recipes for the EatingWell audience. Alex also writes informative food and cooking articles that range from how to store ground beef to the best picks from Trader Joe's. Alex conducts product and taste tests to find the best options, from salad spinners to salsas.
and
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer
Hilary Meyer is a recipe developer, tester, and content creator. After graduating from culinary school, she started working the EatingWell Test Kitchen in 2006, developing and testing recipes.