A colorful smoothie made with beetroot, pineapple, kiwi and lime certainly looks like something that belongs in a healthy morning routine. The combination provides vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber, and naturally occurring plant compounds.

But there is an important distinction between saying a smoothie supports good nutrition and saying it can “improve eyesight” or “eliminate anemia.”

Those stronger claims are not supported simply because a drink contains nutritious ingredients. Anemia has many possible causes, and some require medical diagnosis and treatment. Likewise, food can support normal eye health, but a particular smoothie cannot reliably restore damaged vision or correct an eye disease.

So, what can this vibrant drink actually offer?

Let’s take a closer look.

🥤 What’s in This Smoothie?

The photograph shows a bright red smoothie accompanied by several ingredients:

• Beetroot
• Pineapple
• Kiwi
• Lime

These foods have different nutritional properties, which makes the combination interesting.

A simple version of the smoothie could contain:

• 1 small cooked or raw beetroot, depending on your blender
• 1 cup fresh pineapple
• 1 kiwi
• Juice of ½ lime
• ½–1 cup water
• Ice, optional

Blend until smooth and adjust the consistency with additional water.

You don’t need to use exactly these quantities. The recipe can be adapted according to taste and dietary needs.

❤️ 1. Beetroot Adds Important Plant Compounds

Beetroot is responsible for much of the smoothie’s intense red color.

It contains naturally occurring nitrates, as well as folate and other plant compounds.

Dietary nitrate can be converted in the body into nitric oxide, a molecule involved in blood-vessel function and circulation.

Research has investigated beetroot and nitrate-rich foods in relation to exercise performance and cardiovascular function.

That doesn’t mean beetroot is a treatment for cardiovascular disease, but it can be a nutritious addition to a balanced diet.

🩸 2. Can This Smoothie Cure Anemia?

This is where the original title needs an important correction.

No single smoothie can be guaranteed to eliminate anemia.

Anemia means that the blood does not have enough healthy red blood cells or hemoglobin to carry oxygen effectively.

There are many possible causes, including:

• iron deficiency;
• vitamin B12 deficiency;
• folate deficiency;
• blood loss;
• chronic diseases;
• inherited blood disorders;
• problems absorbing nutrients.

The appropriate treatment depends on the cause.

For example, someone with confirmed iron-deficiency anemia may need an iron supplement or treatment for the underlying reason for the deficiency. A fruit smoothie alone may not provide enough iron to correct the problem.

🍋 3. Vitamin C Can Help With Iron Absorption

There is, however, something useful about the combination shown in the image.

Vitamin C helps the body absorb non-heme iron, the form of iron found primarily in plant foods.

Kiwi, pineapple and lime all provide vitamin C.

This means combining vitamin-C-rich foods with plant sources of iron can be a sensible nutritional strategy.

For example, a meal containing beans, lentils, leafy greens or other plant sources of iron can be accompanied by foods rich in vitamin C.

However, this should not be confused with treating diagnosed anemia.

🥝 4. Kiwi Provides Vitamin C and Other Nutrients

Kiwi is a particularly interesting ingredient.

It provides:

• vitamin C;
• fiber;
• potassium;
• folate;
• various plant compounds.

Vitamin C contributes to normal immune function and also plays a role in collagen formation.

The fruit’s fiber can also contribute to normal digestive health.

👁️ 5. Can It Improve Your Eyesight?

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