Orange Probiotic Smoothie

This smoothie gets its health-promoting punch from probiotic-rich kefir. The bifidobacteria in yogurt and kefir has been shown to strengthen the intestinal wall, so undigested food particles and toxic waste can’t leach out of the gut and trigger fat-promoting cellular inflammation. In fact, Finnish researchers found that consuming this probiotic strain reduces the risk of weight gain by 22 percent.

Plus, the probiotic strain L. acidophilus in yogurt and kefir lowers levels of the appetite-stimulating hormone leptin, according to research in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. The credit goes to the friendly bacteria’s ability to increase the absorption of hunger-satiating nutrients.

Here’s the yummy recipe:

1 medium orange, zested, peeled and chopped
3/4 cup plain kefir, or 1 (6 oz.) container orange yogurt
1/4 cup orange juice
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract

In blender, puree chopped orange, 1/4 tsp. orange zest, and remaining ingredients 30 sec. or until smooth.