Fiber and magnesium are two key factors in our diet, and play a role in so many bodily functions it’s hard to count! Unfortunately, many people are lacking in these dietary staples, and may notice symptoms show up if they do not start adding more healthy sources to their diet.

Luckily, dragon fruit is a good source of both fiber and magnesium. There are other easy sources as well, and adding these foods to your daily diet may be a deliciously healthy way to get more of these important nutrients.

Fiber and why it is important

Dietary fiber is a specific type of carbohydrate that the digestive enzymes in the body cannot completely break down. Fiber plays a key role in our digestive system and overall health, and you can only find fiber in plant foods.

Now, there are two types of fiber – soluble fiber and insoluble fiber.

Soluble fiber

Soluble fiber is fiber that dissolves in water. It’s found in many foods, including apples, oats, and – you guessed it – dragon fruit.

Soluble fiber helps keep your blood sugar levels balanced by slowing how fast your body breaks down sugar. A diet rich in soluble fiber may also reduce the risk of heart disease and diabetes. Because it absorbs water, it also helps give more body to your stool, making it easier to pass.

As if that wasn’t enough, soluble fiber is also prebiotic. This means it helps feed the healthy bacteria in your gut that digest your food and keep both your digestive system and immune system healthy.

Insoluble fiber

Insoluble fiber, or roughage, is fiber that the body cannot break down, and it does not dissolve in water. It helps keep your bowel movements regular and prevent constipation. When you are looking for insoluble fibers, think of foods that have husks – beans, whole wheat, and brown rice, for instance.

It is easy to see how important it is that we all add more sources of healthy fiber to our diets. Luckily, just one of our dragon fruit smoothie packs contains 14 percent of your daily fiber intake.

Magnesium and why it is important

Magnesium is an essential mineral. This means the body doesn’t make it, we have to get it in our diets. Magnesium plays an amazing role in the body, and is responsible for over 300 different necessary bodily functions.

Here are just a few of the important functions magnesium is involved in:

• Helps to regulate your nerves and muscles
• Helps keep your heartbeat steady
• Supports your immune system
• Lowers your blood pressure
• Strengthens your bones.

There is even evidence that magnesium can help prevent depression. It is truly an amazing mineral.

Unfortunately, the USDA has found that over 50 percent of U.S. adults are not getting enough magnesium in their diet. This is largely due to overconsuming processed foods.

So what can you do about it? Simply put, find ways to add fresh, magnesium-rich foods back into your diet. Our dragon fruit smoothie pack gives you 10 percent of your daily value of magnesium, and that’s before adding any other ingredients.

Other foods rich in fiber and magnesium to add to your smoothie

There are a number of other foods rich in fiber or magnesium to add to your morning smoothie. Get creative and find your ideal mix!

Some high-fiber foods include:

• Apples
• Pears
• Raspberries
• Avocados
• Strawberries
• Seeds, such as pumpkin, or chia

Some magnesium-rich foods include:

• Dark leafy greens such as kale and spinach
• Bananas
• Almonds
• Avocados
• Cashews
• Brazil Nuts
• Seeds, such as pumpkin, or chia

Now if you want to really give your day a boost, try out our Pump Up Smoothie to both keep you energized and provide some much-needed fiber and magnesium to your diet.

What fiber and magnesium-rich foods do you add to your daily smoothie? Tell us about them in the comments below.