Greens powders, such as AG1 by Athletic Greens, have experienced a surge in popularity, largely due to endorsements from social media influencers. These supplements contain a blend of various “superfoods” and additional nutrients, claiming that a single scoop mixed into a beverage provides at least one full serving of vegetables along with an array of vitamins and minerals. The promoted health benefits of such products include increased energy, enhanced immunity, improved gut health, and clearer skin.
AG1, in particular, boasts a formula with over 75 ingredients, ranging from basic vitamins and minerals to superfoods like alfalfa, artichoke, and spirulina, as well as probiotics, digestive enzymes, and adaptogens such as ashwagandha and shiitake mushroom. However, concerns have been raised about the safety of these products. According to MD Anderson Cancer Center, greens powders like AG1 may contain heavy metals and provide an excessive amount of nutrients that could surpass what is safe for the body to handle. In addition to these potential risks, some users of AG1 have reported experiencing digestive issues such as an upset stomach, bloating, and diarrhea, which might be attributed to the inclusion of probiotics or inulin in the powder. To minimize these effects, it is recommended to start with a smaller quantity of the powder and gradually increase to the full serving.
Despite their popularity and various health claims, the effectiveness and safety of greens powders, including AG1, remain under scrutiny. Therefore, it is advised to proceed with caution and consult healthcare professionals before incorporating such supplements into your diet.
What are greens powders?
- What Are Powdered Greens, and Are They Good for You? (Everyday Health – January 4, 2024)
- What to know about greens powders (MD Anderson Cancer Center – November 20, 2023)
- What Happens to Your Body When You Take Greens Powder Every Day (EatingWell – March 26, 2023)
- What are greens powders? What to know about the latest TikTok health craze (USA Today – February 2, 2023)
The pros and cons of AG1
Please note: The majority of peer-reviewed research articles on AG1 and other greens powders are industry-sponsored.
- *AG1® Induces a Favorable Impact on Gut Microbial Structure and Functionality in the Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem® Model (Current Issues in Molecular Biology – January 5, 2024)
- Athletic Greens (AG1) Review In 2024 (Forbes Health – January 5, 2024)
- AG1 Review: A Look at Claims, Formula, Taste and More with Expert Insights (Sports Illustrated Showcase – January 4, 2024)
- *AG1®, a Novel Synbiotic, Demonstrates Superior Mineral Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability Compared to a Tablet Multivitamin and Mineral Supplement Using an In Vitro Model of the Upper Gastrointestinal Tract (Applied Biosciences – December 2023)
- AG1 Greens Review: A Dietitian’s Take and What We Think After Trying It (Healthline – December 5, 2023)
- *The Novel Synbiotic, AG1®, Increases Short-Chained Fatty Acid Production in the Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem (SHIME) Model® (Neutraceuticals – October 2023)
- *AG1, a Novel Foundational Nutrition Supplement, Demonstrates the Increased Bioaccessibility and Bioavailability of Minerals Compared to a Multivitamin Tablet In Vitro (Biology and Life Sciences Forum – October 31, 2023)
- Athletic Greens Review: Does This Greens Supplement Really Work? (MedicalNewsToday – October 20, 2023)
- Is Athletic Greens Worth It? I Tried It for One Month to Find Out (Verywell Health – May 3, 2023)
- How does Athletic Greens’ AG1 compare to multivitamins and Greens powders? Is AG1 worth it? (ConsumerLab – January 2, 2023)
What are the purported health benefits of greens powders?
- Do Greens Powders Actually Work? An Expert’s Guide To The Best Greens Powders (British Vogue – January 17, 2024)
- Are Greens Powders Actually Good for You? (Eater – January 10, 2024)
- Are Greens Powders a Total Waste of Money? (Shape – January 9, 2024)
- Do Greens Powders Actually Work? An Expert’s Guide to the Best Greens Powders (Vogue – December 19, 2023)
- The Best Greens Powders: Are They Worth It? Dietitians Explain (Healthline – October 31, 2023)
- Are Greens Powders Worth The Hype? Dietitians Weigh In (Eat This, Not That! – September 12, 2023)
- Dietitians Say Greens Powders May Not Be Worth the Squeeze — Here’s Why (Shape – July 31, 2023)
- Are Greens Powders Worth It? 7 Things to Consider (LiveHealthy – June 19, 2023)
- Will ‘Superfood Powders’ Actually Make You Healthier? (The New York Times – May 22, 2023)
- Greens Powders are Popular, but Are They Worth It? Dietitians Weigh In (Health – May 8, 2023)
- Do trendy green powders actually work? Experts give their verdict on the supplements that claim to give your entire fruit and veg content in one hit (Daily Mail – February 12, 2023)
- Do Greens Powders Actually Do Anything? (The Cut – January 12, 2023)
- Greens Powder: Are there Health Benefits? (WebMD – September 24, 2022)
- Are powdered greens a good substitute for vegetables? A dietitian weighs in (TODAY – June 9, 2022)
- *Plant based dietary supplement increases urinary pH (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition – May 2022)
- Super Greens: Are Greens Powders Healthy? (Healthline – November 26, 2018)
- *In Vitro and in Vivo Antioxidant Properties of the Plant-Based Supplement Greens+ (International Journal of Molecular Sciences – August 2011)
- *Taking nutritional supplements for three months reduced blood pressure but not blood lipid levels in students (Journal of Chiropractic Medicine – Summer 2006)
- *Effects of greens + ®: A Randomized, Controlled Trial (Canadian Journal of Dietetic Practice and Research – Summer 2004)
What are the best brands out there?
- 6 Best Greens Powders Of 2024, According To Experts (Forbes – January 10, 2024)
- The 9 Best Greens Powders of 2024, Tested & Reviewed (Shape – January 9, 2024)
- The Best Greens Powder Is the One You’ll Actually Want to Drink (Bon Appetit – January 9, 2024)
- The 12 Best Greens Powders, Tested and Dietitian-Approved (Health – December 29, 2023)
- This new greens powder sold out within 24 hours – and it doesn’t taste like lawnmower clippings (Women’s Health – November 30, 2023)
- 5 Best Green Powders for 2024 (MedicalNewsToday – October 31, 2023)
- The 10 Best Greens Powders of 2024, Tested and Reviewed (Verywell Fit – August 28, 2023)
- 8 Best Greens Powders, According to Registered Dietitians (Good Housekeeping – May 11, 2023)
- The Best Green Powders — and Everything You Should Know Before Taking Them (Popsugar – May 4, 2023)
- We tried the best and most viral greens powders in 2024: Bloom, AG1, more (New York Post – March 30, 2023)
* = industry-sponsored research
