This pineapple cucumber detox smoothie is refreshing, delicious, and will get you looking and feeling your best!

Whether you’re looking to improve your digestion, reduce bloating, clear your skin, reduce inflammation, or just feel better overall, this smoothie may be able to help. Be sure to read all the way through to learn about some of the nutritional and health benefits of the ingredients, and why you might want to include them in your “detox” or “cleanse” smoothie.

All you need is 3 clean and simple ingredients, so let’s get right into it!

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How to Make a Pineapple Cucumber Detox Smoothie

Step 1: Gather ingredients

Pineapple – This lovely sweet, zesty, and tropical fruit is the star of the show here, so get one that’s nice and ripe. You can use either fresh or frozen pineapple. I always like to use frozen pineapple chunks because it makes the smoothie colder and thicker – but keep in mind that you do need a powerful blender for blending frozen fruit.

Pineapple is the only source of (natural) sweetness in this smoothie. So if you find you want your smoothie sweeter, just add more pineapple to taste.

Cucumber – This key ingredient adds so much hydration to the smoothie. Cucumber is mostly water so you can add lots of it without worrying about too much “green” taste. That being said, most of the nutrients of a cucumber are in the skin, so leave that green skin on for maximum nutritional benefits (more on this below).

Coconut water or milk – A coconut liquid base is just what you need to bring this smoothie to a whole ‘nother level of refreshment (and nutrition and flavour!). Coconut and pineapple just go so well together.

You can either use coconut water or coconut milk (both will give you that lovely tropical feel from the coconut flavour), depending on what consistency you want your smoothie to have.

If you want your smoothie to be more like a juice (lighter, thinner, quick and easy to drink), use coconut water. If you want your smoothie to be smoother, creamier, and more filling, use coconut milk.

Note: If you’re not a fan of coconut, you can always stick with just water or milk instead.

Those three ingredients are all you really need for this pineapple cucumber detox smoothie, but below are some additional ingredients that you can add for even more nutrition and flavour!

Ginger – Adds a slight note of spice, as well as plenty of nutrients. You want to use fresh ginger root (not dried ginger), and leave the skin on (after washing well) for maximum nutrition. Just be careful not to add too much as it can easily overpower the smoothie – start with just a 1/4 inch knob.

Basil, parsley, or mint – All of these fresh herbs are nutrient-dense and go well with the other flavours of this refreshing smoothie. Use fresh leaves (not the dried herbs) for best flavour and freshness in your drink.

Lemon juice – A squeeze of lemon adds some nice zest to the smoothie and complements both the pineapple and cucumber. Perfect for the summertime!

Step 2: Blend!

Add all ingredients to the blender in the order of: coconut water/milk, chopped cucumber, frozen pineapple chunks.

Blend on high until thoroughly smooth.

Note that if you do not have a high-powered blenders, you should use fresh pineapple or let the frozen pineapple thaw for a few minutes first. You may also want to peel the cucumber to avoid any grainy green flecks in your smoothie.

Step 3: Serve and enjoy!

This smoothie is best enjoyed immediately after blending as it has the tendency to separate as it sits out.

Pineapple Cucumber Detox Smoothie Benefits

Pineapple, cucumber, and coconut are all extremely nutritious and hydrating ingredients, making this the perfect, simple detox smoothie.

Pineapple:

Pineapple is high in vitamin C, which is essential for maintaining healthy skin and a healthy immune system. Vitamin C is just one of the many antioxidants found in pineapple, which work to eliminate free radicals in the body and reduce harmful oxidation and inflammation.

Pineapple also offers plenty of fibre, which helps keep you regular, along with many other digestion-supporting compounds. In particular, it contains the enzyme bromelain, which has anti-inflammatory properties and helps with the breakdown and digestion of dietary protein, among other beneficial functions in the body.

Cucumber:

Cucumber has a high water content, making it low-carb and very hydrating, and helping move digestion along.

Cucumber contains many essential vitamins and minerals, including vitamin K, vitamin C, potassium, magnesium, and more. As mentioned previously, most of the nutrients are held in the skin of the cucumber, so blend without peeling to maximize on this. The green skin also contains antioxidants and other phytochemicals used to reduce oxidation and inflammation in the body.

Coconut water:

Coconut water is very hydrating as it has a high water content along with many important minerals, such as potassium and magnesium. It also contains compounds with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.

If you opt for coconut milk instead, the composition is a little different as coconut milk contains plenty of healthy fats. One such fat is lauric acid, which actually has anti-microbial properties. Like coconut water, coconut milk also contains antioxidants and important electrolytes like potassium, magnesium, and phosphorous.

In summary, a blend of these three nutritious ingredients may contribute to:

reduced oxidation and inflammation in the body
stronger immune system
healthier skin
more regular digestion

The combination of these benefits is what makes this smoothie “detoxifying” or “cleansing”. In short, these healthy and clean ingredients will hydrate your body and help the systems of your body (digestive, immune, etc.) function optimally.

Give this pineapple cucumber detox smoothie a try and let me know how you like it in the comments below!

Pineapple Cucumber Detox Smoothie

Yield: 2 Servings

This pineapple cucumber detox smoothie is refreshing, delicious, and will get you looking and feeling your best! Only 3 clean and simple ingredients needed.

Ingredients

2 cups frozen pineapple chunks
1 medium-large cucumber
1 cup coconut water or milk

Optional bonus ingredients:

1/2 in knob of ginger
2-4 leaves of fresh basil
5 springs of parsley
2-4 leaves of fresh mint
Squeeze of lemon

Instructions

Chop up cucumber (and pineapple if not already in chunks).
Add all ingredients to blender (frozen pineapple added last).
Blend until smooth (about 30-60 seconds on high).
Serve and enjoy!

Notes

Coconut water/milk can be substituted for plain water/milk if desired.
If you want it sweeter, add more pineapple to taste.
If you don't have a powerful blender, let the frozen pineapple thaw for a few minutes before blending, or use fresh pineapple instead of frozen, and peel the cucumber if desired.