This Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie has pear, spinach and ginger, making it the perfect light and refreshing green smoothie. Packed with pain-fighting ingredients, readers swear it helps with migraine attacks, headaches, and nausea. Hemp seeds add protein and oat milk provides a little extra creaminess!
The best smoothie for inflammation is one that's well-balanced with protein, fiber, and healthy fats. Taking inspiration from the Mediterranean diet, we mix high fiber pears with omega-3 fats like chia seeds, and greens. Ginger is a wonderful addition for gut health, as it can not only decrease pain but aid with nausea.
Because this anti-inflammatory green smoothie was so popular with readers as a migraine smoothie, I put it in my Mediterranean Migraine Diet cookbook! If you love this one, you have to try my Gut Health Smoothie and Berry Protein Smoothie.
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Best Smoothie for Inflammation
When I originally developed this anti-inflammatory smoothie recipe for the really bad migraine days, I knew it had to pack a lot of pain- fighting power. Often when I deal with a vestibular migraine, I want a meal that's easy, fast, and not too crazy with ingredients.
Because a lot of smoothies use fruit without balancing it with protein, fat, and fiber, they can cause a blood sugar spike. Pears are not only high in fiber, but also a low glycemic fruit. You'll love this green smoothie because:
- Easy on the stomach - Both pears and ginger can be soothing on a high nausea day.
- Migraine-friendly - This is the most popular migraine smoothie on my website. Here we want to avoid bananas, are higher in sugar and tyramine. They area migraine or headache trigger for some
- Packs greens - A little bit of spinach or arugula for low histamine works well with the flavors without overpowering.
- Omega-3's - Chia seeds and hemp seeds provide fiber and healthy fats.
Foods That Help Inflammation
This anti-migraine smoothie is full of magnesium, antioxidants, fiber, and nausea relief.
Pears
Pears - Rich in flavonoid antioxidants which means they're a perfect base for an anti-inflammatory smoothie. They promote heart health, weight loss, and gut health as they're packed with fiber. The cool thing about pears is they contain soluble and insoluble fiber. This can not only relieve constipation, but also promote good gut bacteria. Since a lot of probiotics can be triggering for people with migraine, this is a good option to incorporate.
Part of the nutritional benefit of pears is found in the skin, so I like to leave mine on for this recipe and if you have a high speed blender, like Vitamix, it shouldn't be an issue. This is where I also like to spend a little more and get the organic pears.
Ginger
Ginger - Ginger is included for nausea and pain relief. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, and can also help ease an upset stomach. If you're dealing with nausea or head pain, adding this to your smoothies could potentially help ease some of the symptoms. Studies have shown ginger can help combat motion-induced sickness as well as relieve nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
Ginger could also help reduce pain during your period. It was shown to be as effective as ibuprofen when taken the first 3 days of a period. It's also been studied to aid with migraine nausea and vomiting.
Some people find they have to take a supplement at the first sign of a migraine. On the other hand, I struggle with acid reflux when I take ginger supplements. Adding ginger to smoothies or food is my workaround to get the health benefits without the reflux.
Greens
Included for a boost of magnesium. It's always best to add a few dark leafy greens to your smoothie if it doesn't affect the taste too much. Spinach and kale are considered anti-inflammatory superfoods. Packed with nutrients, a good recipe can mask their bitter flavor. I prefer to use spinach in smoothies as I find the flavor blends a little bit better.
Another benefit is dark leafy greens like spinach have magnesium, which can help prevent migraine attacks. Usually we have to supplement the amount we need for migraine management, but diversifying your magnesium sources is always a good thing.
Seeds
Hemp seeds or chia seeds are included for a protein boost and also balance the sugars in the pear. A lot of smoothies just put a bunch of fruit in the ingredients, and don't balance it with protein, fat, or fiber, which helps prevent a spike in blood sugar.
Ingredients
- Pear - I used Bartlett pears also known as Williams pears. Anjou would work here too.
- Ginger - Fresh or dried will work for this recipe.
- Greens - Use fresh spinach leaves, or if histamine-sensitive, use arugula.
- Milk - I often use flax or dairy milk, but any type of milk you like will work for this recipe. For extra protein, hemp milk would be perfect.
- Sweetener - Honey or maple syrup would work here, but I recommend just using a ripe pear.
How to Make an Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie
Step 1: Peel fresh ginger
Use the side of a spoon to gently scrape off the skin. This tip is super handy and keeps a lot of the ginger intact.
Step 2: Add ingredients to blender
Place all the ingredients in a blender except for ice. Blend till smooth and creamy, about 1 minute.
Step 3: Add ice
Add ice in ½ cup increments until the desired thickness is reached. This smoothie is on the thin side. Be careful to not add too much ice or the flavors will be watered down. Sometimes, however, that can be helpful for nausea.
Step 4: Taste and adjust sweetness
If using pear that's not fully ripe, you may need to add a touch of honey or other sweetener. Add this to your personal preference.
Pro Tips for Green Smoothies
- Use a really good blender to make this super creamy. Investing in a blender like vitamix or nutribullet will give you the best texture for smoothies. It blends ice extremely well and won't leave you with chunks in the mixture.
- Pack some extra anti-inflammatory power by adding ½ teaspoon turmeric to the mixture.
- Drink this recipe at the first sign of a migraine attack to see if the ginger can help as an abortive. Or pair with your acute treatment to give it a boost.
Recipe Substitutions
For low histamine - I would recommend substituting spinach with arugula in this recipe. It gives this anti-inflammatory smoothie a great, peppery flavor. Kale will also work, although it definitely makes the taste a little more "green".
For a thicker smoothie - add in ⅓ cup frozen cauliflower. You can't taste it in this amount, but it will add some extra creaminess to the texture.
How to Meal Prep
Freeze pear pieces with ginger, spinach, and seeds in individual plastic bags. Dump them into the blender when ready and add milk and ice. That's it! Ingredients will store well in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Anti-Inflammatory Recipes
For more wellness shots and smoothies like this anti-inflammatory smoothie check out these posts. And don't miss my collection of smoothies for inflammation.
If you make this, tag me #thedizzycook or @thedizzycook on Facebook and Instagram. And if you love the recipe, please leave a review below! Follow along on my Pinterest for more great recipes.
Anti-Inflammatory Smoothie
Equipment
- 1 Good quality blender
Ingredients
- ¾ cup chopped pear, skin on *
- 2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger
- ¾ cup fresh spinach *
- ¾ cup oat milk *
- 2 teaspoons hemp or chia seeds
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 cup ice
Instructions
- In a blender, add the pear, ginger, spinach, milk, and seeds and blend till smooth. Add ½ cup ice and blend till smooth and frothy. Taste and see if it needs a sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
Video
Notes
- This recipe makes about 1.5 servings - so either a pretty large smoothie or 2 smaller ones.
- Regular milk can be used instead of oat milk - or whatever milk you like best.
- If histamine is an issue, substitute arugula for the spinach.
- I used Bartlett pears but any sweet pear will do.
Nutrition
This post was originally published May 19, 2020 and was updated January 12, 2022 to include new photos, ingredient information, recipe tips and process. Below are the original photos.
Mairin says
Delicious—I’ve been making it on days of a severe attack. Placebo effect or not, it def helps me. I’ve used arugula, which makes it “spicier”, but prefer the spinach taste. Thank you, Alicia.
Shoshanna N says
This smoothie saved my life! Started drinking when I had a virus and was craving something cold and it really helped. Now I drink several times a week and it really helps reduce headaches! Thank you!
Joan says
This was Amazing!!!!! I used honey, and syrup! I also added Ashwagonda , and turmeric! Made with vanilla almond milk! I am definitely making this again for breakfast in the morning. I’m looking forward to trying your other recipes.
Alicia says
Thanks so much, Joan!
Leslie Springer says
This is the Best Smoothie Ever! I make a big batch like 12 freezer quart size bags of all ingredients and pop them in the freezer. I dig into my stash when I am having difficulties. Thank You!
Nancy taylor says
I didn’t have ripe pears so I used an Apple.I also used a frozen cube of ginger which I got from Whole Foods. Since I think spinach can be a Problem for me I used Arugula which was a nice tasting substitute. Thanks so much for all your wonderful recipes. Tonight I’m making Cajun salmon Pasta which is a favorite of mine and my husbands!
Brenda says
How do you store ginger? How long will it last?
Alicia says
I store mine in the fridge till it gets shriveled. Usually you can cut off the ends and it lasts a while. Also I believe trader joes has frozen minced ginger as well.
Elizabeth says
Delicious! This recipe is definitely in my rotation now. Thank you so much for sharing.
Alicia says
Thank you!!
Lisa P. says
This looks amazing and I can't wait to try it. I did have a question about sugar amount though. How much sugar should we be having? It seems like alot listed here but then it's balanced by the protein. Just wondering....
Alicia says
It's really up to you and what works best for your body so may require a bit of testing. The bulk of added sugar comes from pears and milk. So it can vary based on what kind of milk you use (for this calculation I used oat milk, which is higher). If you used hemp milk, that would lower the total amount to about 7 grams from the pears. 🙂
Donna says
This is the bees knees!!!!!I cant believe it took me so long to try this. I also have stomach issues and this helped my stomach feel a million times better. The flavors are so balanced and I am so thrilled to have a daily smoothie that will both alleviate some of my symptoms, but also tastes amazing!!!!!!!
Jenelle says
Is it okay to use powdered ginger instead of fresh ginger?
Sarah says
This Pear Ginger Smoothie has been a game-changer for me. I have intractable nausea as part of my chronic migraine, and nothing has helped manage my stomach upset as much as this smoothie. I make one almost every morning, and a half-hour later, I’m able to function again. It takes the edge off my other migraine symptoms, too, like some kind of miraculous tonic. And it’s delicious! There’s something so soothing about a frozen, slightly sweet (I use just a little honey), gingery drink. So good, and so helpful!
Alicia says
Thanks for taking the time to write this, Sarah! I know it will be very helpful for others! I love that it has helped you so much!
Cherie Barber says
This smoothie has become a staple in my breakfast routine. I can't tolerate Spinach but thanks to the Tips, I use Arugula instead. This smoothie really calms down my head, especially when Tinnitus is on the louder side or I feel dizzy. Thank you Dizzy Cook!
Alicia says
So helpful - thanks, Cherie!
Wenda says
If y'all haven't tried Alicia's recipe for Anti-inflammatory Smoothie-- you are missing out. I am obsessed with it. Drink it everyday with lots of ginger and hemp seeds. Husband loves it too! You will not miss protein powder!
THANK YOU ALICIA! I love your work and your posts! I am so grateful to you and everyone else that chimes in!
Erin says
This smoothie is perfect. It has a good taste, is easy to throw together, and contains all the goodness to help support migraine brain. I swear by ginger for helping me through attacks and like to supplement with it on days I know my threshold is lowered. I'm glad you mentioned the spinach/histamine issue---I think this applies to me.
Alicia says
Thanks so much Erin. Luckily it's an easy sub with the arugula or even kale!
Anonymous says
I agree Erin! I am so happy when there are alternatives mentioned in the recipes. I might not have benefited from this smoothie without knowing I could use Arugula instead of Spinach!
Wendy says
Thank you for this recipe - it's one of my favorite smoothie recipes ever! Beyond being totally delicious, it really has helped me start my day and prevent symptoms during flare-ups...plus my husband who doesn't even have migraine has loved it too. I've been adding some dried white mulberries for extra sweetness...one of your other smoothie recipes (the cherry vanilla) got my hooked on them! Thank you for your hard work in testing this recipe and writing such an informative blog post.
Katrina says
So delicious and refreshing! So glad I found this recipe! I only had bosc pears but I bet Bartlet would be amazing too! Such a smooth...smoothie! Thanks for this, esp when suffering from a headache.