4 of the Best Greens Powders Reviewed & Explained by a Registered Dietitian

Have you seen ads for various greens powders but don’t know which one to take, or if you should even be taking one? In this blog, we will review 4 of the best greens powders on the market and help you better understand their ingredients, what to be aware of, and help you make the best choice for your needs.

What this blog will cover:

1. What are greens powders? 
2. Benefits of greens powders 
3. Should you be taking a greens powder?
4. Certifications to look for in a greens supplement 
5. Common ingredients in greens powders and their health benefits
6. Prebiotics and Probiotics in greens supplements
7. A comprehensive review of 4 of the best greens powders on the market: AG1, LiveItUp, Primal Harvest, and Huel

What Are Greens Powders?

Greens powders are dietary supplements that contain various blends of powdered vegetables, grasses, algae, sometimes fruit, botanicals, adaptogens, and other nutrient-rich ingredients. They often include digestive enzymes and/or probiotics.

People usually mix a greens powder into smoothies or water, which also helps increase daily fluid intake. 

They are growing in popularity because they are an easy and fast way to increase your intake of vegetables, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

Potential Benefits of the Best Greens Powders 

Most greens supplements claim to have benefits such as increased energy levels, improved gut health, and enhanced immunity. Let’s take a look at each of these claims and the reasoning behind them.

1. Enhanced energy and wellness

Greens supplements may provide a feeling of enhanced wellness and energy because some vitamins and minerals from food play a crucial role in your body by taking the nutrients from food and making them usable for your body for energy. Others are necessary for cellular health, proper organ function, enzymes, glowing skin, a healthy gut and fighting sickness and disease. 

2. Improved Gut Health

Diets higher in fruits and vegetables tend to support greater gut microbiome diversity. This is usually a sign of a healthier gut and better gastrointestinal function, which looks like good digestion, less bloating and pain, regular bowel movements, less permeability. While a greens powder will not provide the whole food source with fiber that is ideal, there may still be some benefits from adding these foods into your diet. Additionally, some powders contain botanicals like slippery elm or marshmallow root that support the gut lining, as well as ginger, peppermint, mushroom, and other compounds that support a healthy digestive system and may help reduce inflammation. 

3. Stronger Immune System

Most of your immune system lives in your gut, so a healthy gut can mean a stronger immune system. Plus, a diet high in vitamins and minerals usually makes it easier to fight bacteria and viruses and recover more quickly. Some powders include adaptogenic mushrooms which can also benefit the immune system. 

Do You Need a Greens Powder? 

If you’re getting 2 servings of fruit per day and 3-4 servings of veggies per day, plus eating a variety of colors, proteins, fats and fibers, then you may get most of the vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients from food. 

Ideally, we should get our vitamins and minerals from real, God-made, organic, whole food sources. This usually makes them more bioavailable and provides the whole package of nutrients for optimal synergistic effect with less potential negative nutrient interactions. Supplement sources can have higher chance of toxicity and impairing absorption of other nutrients.  

Plus, you get the benefit of fiber when eating whole foods, which is good for the gut, cholesterol, weight maintenance, and feeling full longer. You don’t get all of this from greens powders. 

However, our soil is not as rich in nutrients as it once was due to modern farming practices. Crops often have pesticides and chemicals which can harm our digestive system. Due to these chemicals, poor soil, excess processed food, stress, etc, our gastrointestinal tracts are often inflamed or damaged, so we may not always get or absorb all of the nutrients we need from food.

Many people struggle to get even two servings of fruits and veggies per day and find it hard to cook healthy meals daily due to hectic schedules. Some people also have difficulty eating them for various reasons or have an imbalance in gut bacteria that makes them hard to digest until the gut is healed. 

So, for some people, a greens powder may be beneficial to help get the nutrients you need, even if just temporarily while you work on healing gut issues and including more veggies and plants in your diet.

Even if your diet is stellar, most people will still need a multi-vitamin due to less nutrient-dense produce and poor gut health. Greens powders like AG1 and Huel are convenient because they contain added vitamins and minerals so you don’t have to buy another vitamin/mineral supplement. Just be cautious about exceeding the RDA of vitamins and minerals from other foods and supplements (more on this in the review section). 

But remember, they are intended to be a SUPPLEMENT to a healthy diet. They should never be your only source of vegetables or vitamins and minerals. 

It’s also important to consider the cost – many of the best greens powders cost more due to their higher quality and may be challenging for some people to afford on a monthly basis. 

Certifications to Look for in a Greens Supplement 

When it comes to any supplement, it’s important to look for manufacturing certifications, such as GMP, third-party tested, and/or NSF certified for sport. The best greens powders should include at least two, if not all three of these.

GMP stands for good manufacturing practices, and while this doesn’t guarantee you have a top-quality product, it’s a sign that it’s made in a facility that is inspected and required to meet a certain level of safe manufacturing processes. Keep in mind, even products made in these facilities can have low standards and are not ensured to be safe or contain what they say they contain, and may still contain toxins. But, at the very least, it’s better than no certification. 

NSF certification is essential for athletes to ensure they’re not accidentally consuming banned substances, which can be found in brands who do not go through the certification process. I always recommend that any athlete look for any supplement they take to be NSF certified. One of the benefits of this, even if you’re not an athlete, is that you can at least know that certain substances that shouldn’t be in your greens won’t be in there, so it’s likely to be safer. 

Common Ingredients in the Best Greens Powders & Their Health Benefits

Next, let’s talk about what is actually in some of the best greens powders and what benefits they provide so you know what to look for and what makes each supplement unique. 

• Spirulina and Chlorella: helpful for detoxication and liver support, rich in vitamin C, D, B12, iron, magnesium, and antioxidants. They have anti-inflammatory properties and are known for their high protein content (about 4 g in 1 Tbsp).

• Grasses and Greens: wheatgrass, barley grass and moringa may help lower cholesterol and manage blood sugar levels and are rich in antioxidants like vitamin E and C, as well as minerals like magnesium, zinc and iron. 

• Spinach and kale: contain calcium, vitamin A, C and folate. 

• Broccoli: contains vitamin A, K, calcium, iron and potassium, and is one of the most common vegetables in greens powders due to its anti-inflammatory properties, liver support, antioxidants, and gut health benefits. 

• Adaptogens, herbs and botanicals: like ashwaganda, reishi mushroom, dandelion root, ginseng, lemon balm, ginger and more will vary widely from brand to brand, but offer a host of benefits for adapting to stress, digestive health, sleep support, immunity, brain function, energy, mood-boosting, and disease fighting. 

• Digestive enzymes: help us breakdown food better for improved digestion and absorption of nutrients, which may help with both digestion of the greens powders as well as the foods we eat after taking greens. Digestive enzymes can help with reducing bloating, pain, and discomfort that many people experience.

Prebiotics and Probiotics in Greens Powders

Prebiotics and probiotics are added to many popular greens powders due to their increasing popularity for digestive issues. Prebiotics are the fibers that probiotics –  beneficial gut bacteria – feed on to proliferate in your GI tract. 

But not all probiotics are alike. Some can help with the absorption of food, others with improving the integrity of the gut lining, and others for issues like constipation or diarrhea, but it all depends on the strain. Even if a bacteria comes from the same genus and species (such as lactobacillus acidophilus) there are still unique strains of each type (such as L. acidophilus CL1285), and those strains may have different effects in the body. 

Just because a product says they have them doesn’t automatically make them good for you, and more isn’t necessarily better. 

Some people may not tolerate certain prebiotics or probiotics well. In some cases, a greens powder with prebiotics or probiotics could make gut issues worse, not better. Be sure to do a bit of research on the probiotics listed to see if they appear to be right for you. The US Probiotic Guide and PubMed are good resources for rsearching specific strains.

Other questions to consider with added probiotics are:  Do they actually survive while sitting on the shelf for weeks or being shipped in the heat? Do they survive stomach acid to make it to the large intestine where we need them? Various strains react differently to different environments, and sometimes we don’t know for sure with powdered greens. 

In short, don’t assume you need a product with probiotics, and pay attention to how your digestion feels after you start taking the product in the event of adverse effects like constipation or loose stools.

4 Best Greens Powders Reviewed by a Registered Dietitian

If there are so many similar ingredients in greens powders, then how do you know which one to buy? Or are they all the same? Let’s compare the most popular greens powders to help you decide what’s right for you!

LIVE IT UP

Live it Up claims they are an easy way to get your greens with a single daily dose of more than 20 superfoods, probiotics and digestive enzymes. Live it Up is the most simple powder in this list. 

Features

• No synthetic or added vitamins/minerals or added herbs/botanicals, fibers, etc.  
• 2 flavors: Original and Wild Berries. 
• Contains 4 probiotics from Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium which tend to hold up well in the GI system and can work synergistically: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis. 
• Cost: $39.99/month for the subscription or $1.33 per serving

Pros:

• Made with organic vegetables and non-GMO
• Free of sugar, stevia & artificial sweeteners
• Soy, dairy and nut free
• No additives 
• Simple, easy to understand ingredients
• Third-party tested and made in a GMP-certified facility

• Contains peppermint and ginger which can relax muscles in the digestive tract and help with bloating, cramps and nausea. 
• Contains nettle leaf, horsetail and dandelion leaf which are good sources of bioavailable calcium and potassium and act as gentle diuretics and kidney cleansers. Dandelion is a useful herb for digestive support as well.

Cons: 

• Taste: the original flavor has a strong peppermint taste and is not sweet – very earthy tasting. I personally do not like the flavor/taste, whether in plain water or a smoothie, but I have not tried the wild berries flavor.
• Not NSF certified
• They don’t specify which strains of probiotics they use, which makes a bit of a mystery exactly how these work in the body and what interactions they may have. 

Takeaway: If you want a simple greens powder focused on veggies without other added (potentially confusing) ingredients except enzymes and probiotics, this could work well for you. You can get a discount on Live it Up by using code RENEWAL10 for a 10% discount on your order. I do not receive any benefits from your purchase and am not an affiliate with the company.

AG1 

AGI (athletic greens) claims they deliver vitamins and minerals, pre-and probiotics, and phytonutrients from whole food sources. It is designed to provide you with nutrients from plants and replace other vitamins and supplements. 

Features

• Digestive enzymes
• Probiotics – lactobacillus acidophilus UALa-01, Bifidobacterium bifidum – UABb-10 
• Contains above the RDA of some vitamin/minerals
• $79 for a subscription or $2.60 per serving

Pros:

• Non-GMO
• Free of gluten, egg, dairy and nuts
• No added sugars, artificial sweeteners, or colors
• Contains mostly organic ingredients (not 100% organic) 
• They specify exactly which strain of probiotics they use and requires refrigeration, which is usually a good sign of live probiotics.
• NSF certified for sport and tested for heavy metals and toxins 
• Made in a GMP and TGA certified facility (therapeutic goods administration)
• Adaptogens ashwaganda, licorice root (also good for the gut), rhodiola, eleuthero
• Antioxidants to help with the free radicals produced from intense exercise.
• Wide variety of beneficial ingredients like beet root, reishi mushroom, CoQ10, and slippery elm which is helpful for the gut lining.
• Has added vitamins and minerals to help reach daily requirements, especially for athletes who may have higher requirements. You don’t need to take a separate vitamin/mineral supplememt. 
• The weight of all ingredients is higher than most in this review.
• Includes a bottle and metal scooper with purchase
• Taste: this is my personal favorite, if you like pineapple. Tastes less earthy/dirt-like/gritty and is sweeter than the others.

Cons: 

• Use caution when taking such high amounts of vitamins and minerals, especially if you take other supplements, because you can exceed the upper limit. This can have serious health consequences and become toxic. This product may contain too high of amounts for some people.
• The higher amount of vitamins, minerals and botanicals may be better suited toward highly active people like athletes who have higher needs. 
• Most expensive of the 4 powders reviewed here. The cost can be prohibitive over time. 

Takeaway: After trying all of the powders at length, I found that AG1 was the only one I looked forward to using and actually enjoyed. It adds nice flavor to my smoothies, but I also enjoy it in plain water first thing in the morning (as they recommend). To be honest, I used to be a AG1 doubter and thought it was likely overhyped and overly priced. However, after actually learning about it and trying it, the high cost made more sense to me when I realized I didn’t need as many other supplements and powders while taking this. I loved that I didn’t need to take my usual multi-vitamin and that it has gut-supporting herbs that I often take in teas or other capsules. This one also arrived the fastest and had the nicest packaging and metal scooper. When I purchased it over black friday, I also got a year’s supply of Vitamin D+ K2 supplement (which is how vitamin D should be taken), a month supply of omega-3’s, and some travel packs. You can get these same deals if you use this link to purchase AG1. I am not an affiliate with the company. 

HUEL

Huel claims they they have the perfect blend of 91 vitamins, minerals and whole food-sourced ingredients.

Features

• Contains antioxidants and digestive enzymes
• Probiotics bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 and Bifidobacterium Bidifum 100B
• Comes in multiple flavors
• Contains above the RDA of some vitamin/minerals
• Contains flaxseed and chia seed for omega-3 fatty acids
• Cost: $45.00 or $1.50 per serving

Pros:

• Non-GMO
• Third-party tested
• Gluten & dairy free
• No artificial colors or sweeteners
• Contains mostly organic ingredients (not 100% organic) 
• Has a commitment to sustainability
• Has added vitamins and minerals to help reach daily requirements, especially for athletes who may have higher requirements. You don’t need to take a separate vitamin/mineral supplememt. 
• Has a wide variety of Adaptogens, Mushroom and Botanicals – includes ashwaganda, rhodiola, lemon balm, marshmallow root, ginseng, ginger, dandelion, echinacea, burdock root, reishi, cordyceps, lions mane and more. These are some powerhouse plants that I love for a variety of reasons, including gut and immune health. Normally you’d have to buy these as separate supplements or make them as teas, so this is a very convenient way to get a great blend of herbs. 
• They specify exactly which probiotic strains they use. Bacillus coagulans is one I use somewhat regularly in practice due to its GI health benefits. 
• Includes a bottle with your first purchase

Cons:

• Exceeds the RDA of some vitamins/minerals. Use caution if you are taking other supplements or eating many foods that also contain high vitamins and minerals and/or botanicals to avoid exceeding the upper limit, which can be just as harmful as not getting enough. 
• Contains additives guar gum, sunflower lecithin and silicon dioxide
• Contains coconut, which may not be safe for some people who are allergic to tree nuts.
• Not NSF certified
• The taste is just okay (in my opinion). It has a subtle pineapple flavor to it, and is more earthy than sweet. I don’t dislike the taste, but don’t enjoy it either.

Takeaway: Huel is a more affordable alternative to AG1 as they’re very similar in makeup. Huel has smaller amounts of most ingredients and tastes less sweet. I would really like Huel, except for the bland taste, additives, and tapioca starch included, which all seem unnecessary.

PRIMAL HARVEST 

Primal Harvest claims they are a super greens blend of 50+ vitamin-containing ingredients, to make getting your daily serving of energy-supporting nutrients convenient and enjoyable.

Features

• Digestive enzymes
• No added sugars, artifical sweeteners, colors or flavors
• Probiotic blend: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Longum, Lactobacillus rhamnosus
• $39.96 for a subscription or $1.33 per serving

Pros:

• Good variety of fruits and vegetables
• Fine texture for easy mixing. Less gritty and easier to mix than other powders.
• Gluten-free, dairy free, soy free
• Contains herbs and extracts like turmeric, green tea, ginger, ashwaganda, and korean ginseng, reishi mushroom
• Manufactured in a GMP certified facility
• The probiotic strains have a lot of evidence for their use and are often used with IBS, H. Pylori, and issues like diarrhea. 
• Smaller bag – doesn’t take up so much space/less waste of materials

Cons:

• No organic ingredient claims, which is not good when dealing with fruits and vegetables because they may contain pesticides and chemicals.
• Not NSF certified
• Taste: more like a typical greens powder – earthy, little flavor, not sweet. Doesn’t taste bad, but not great (in my opinion). 

Takeaway: If Primal Greens was organic, I would like this one for a good blend of simplicity and beneficial ingredients. But I don’t enjoy the taste, either, so this one is pretty much off the table for me as I wouldn’t want to take or recommend a greens powder that doesn’t have at least some organic ingredients.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve reviewed 4 of the best greens powders on the market, I hope you have a better understanding of greens powders, what benefits they offer, how to use them, what to look for, and unique differences between them. 

Ultimately, I can’t tell you what the best greens powder is for you, because it depends on your lifestyle, health status, stomach sensitivity, daily diet, budget, taste preference and what you’re hoping to gain from drinking one. 

Always be sure to check the ingredients to see make sure they won’t negatively interact or create excess when consuming other health supplements.

If you need help related to supplements like these or other nutrition and health concerns, you can always reach out to me for one-on-one nutrition counseling at [email protected] to learn more. 

I specialize in digestive health, faith-based weight management, and sports nutrition for runners, and I would love to help you harness the power of nutrition to feel your best!