Drinking a glass of powdered green vegetables may not sound pleasant, but it can be one of the best ways to boost your vitamin and nutrient intake, rivaling even some of the best multivitamins. According to the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, adults should consume 1.5-2 cup-equivalents of fruits and 2-3 cup-equivalents of vegetables daily. (1) Greens powders are made of nutrient-rich dried leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, herbs, seaweed, and even have some helpful digestion-focused additives.
After our team of experts sampled 39 of the best-selling greens supplements and a few lesser-known standouts, we’ve determined which of them are worth the buy and which are about as effective as drinking soil. We researched the formulations, solubility, side effects, flavor, and more to narrow down the absolute best greens powders. Whether you’re looking to boost energy levels, improve performance at the gym, or to simply feel better, we’ve gathered and tried them all.
The 10 Best Greens Powders of 2024
- Best Greens Powder Overall: Athletic Greens AG1
- Best Greens Powder for Fiber: Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens
- Best Organic Greens Powder: Nested Naturals Super Greens
- Best Greens Powder For Bloating: Ora Organic Greens
- Best Tasting Greens Powder: Live It Up!
- Best Greens Powder with Spirulina: Legion Genesis Greens
- Best Greens Powder for Digestion: Pro Health Longevity Greens
- Best Affordable Greens Powder: Jacked Factory Green Surge
- Best Greens Powder for Gut Health: 1st Phorm Opti-Greens 50
- Best Greens Powder for Weight Loss: Huel Daily Superblend
Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for the diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine.
Best Greens Powder Video Review
Join BarBend expert tester Jake Herod, NASM-CNC, and registered dietician nutritionist Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, MS, RDN, LD, as they discuss our picks for the best (and most budget-friendly) greens powders.
How We Tested and Chose the Best Greens Powders
To measure the potential effectiveness of different greens powders on this list, we paid attention to a few specific factors. Using our supplement testing methodology, our team of experts tested about 39 different greens powders, looking closely at the ingredients, flavor, solubility, and more.
- Quality Ingredients: Because many greens powders can omit key vitamins and minerals, gauging a product’s vitamin and mineral content can be a difficult task. We prioritized products with transparent labels while prioritizing whole-food-sourced powders.
- Third-Party Testing: Third-party tested greens powders have had the ingredients and their amounts verified in an independent lab. In our testing, we prioritize these products to ensure our readers are getting the safest supplements on the market.
- Product Taste: If we’re being totally honest, greens powders can taste pretty gnarly. That’s why we made flavor a priority when picking our products. After personally sipping 39 greens powders, we selected some of the best-tasting options.
- Solubility: All the greens powders in our list dissolve well in water with a spoon or shaker bottle. We also made note of any clumps or ingredient settling as we tried each supplement.
- Side Effects: As we tried each powder, we kept track of any bloating, aftertaste, and digestion changes. For every pick on this list, our team noticed zero immediate side effects. With that said, everyone’s body is different. If you have any allergies (or follow a specific diet, like gluten-free eating) or food sensitivities, it’s best to read the ingredient label closely before you try any new dietary supplements and speak with your healthcare provider or nutritionist as needed.
- Expert Insight: To make sure you’re getting the highest-quality powders, we consulted a team of experts. These registered dietitians, certified nutrition coaches, and personal trainers all gave their personal insights on the products we chose.
- Customer Satisfaction: In order to reach as many users as possible, we did our best to test and feature greens powders that seem to satisfy most of their customers. Each powder we picked comes with glowing reviews, and after testing them ourselves, we certainly agree.
Best Greens Powder Overall: Athletic Greens AG1
This nutritious greens powder is NSF certified for sport and includes 75 absorbable ingredients and is free of gluten, sugar, dairy, eggs, and peanuts. It is compatible with vegan, keto, and paleo diets.
Specs
- Available Flavors: Pineapple Vanilla
- Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport®
- Nutrition Per Scoop: 50 calories, 6g carbs, 2g protein
- Key Ingredients: 7.2 billion CFU probiotics, Digestive enzyme blend, CoQ10, Milk thistle, Folate, Zinc
- Sweeteners Used: Stevia
- Price: $79
- Price Per Serving: $2.63
- Servings: 30
To pick the best greens powder overall, we prioritized micronutrients and ingredients for digestive health. This pick checked all of our boxes to support overall health. Plus, from personal experience, I think it’s one of the best-tasting greens powders.
“The grassy flavor you get with most greens powders is mild here,” our tester says, giving this an overall 4.5 out of 5 for flavor. “It’s a pineapple vanilla flavor that’s tasty but light, so it can mix well with other ingredients or alone.”
Athletic Greens also has a stand-out ingredient label. One serving gives you more than 100 percent of your daily vitamin C, vitamin E, and vitamin B12, among others. This supplement is dairy-free and has no fillers, artificial colors, preservatives, or animal byproducts. Considering it’s packed with so many crucial vitamins and nutrients in high doses, our testers gave the formulation a 5 out of 5.
As with other popular greens powders, like Bloom Greens, I have to use an electric stirrer when mixing my scoop, and even then, it tends to settle since I like to sip my greens throughout the morning. So, I had to give the solubility a 3.5 out of 5 but so long as you keep a straw in your glass, manual mixing does the trick.
According to Gianna Masi, RDN, a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer, the NSF Certified for Sport label is something athletes should prioritize. “When I’m working with professional or collegiate athletes, I especially want to make sure I’m providing tested products such as ‘NSF Certified for Sport’ or ‘Informed Choice for Sport,’ so I don’t impact their eligibility in addition to their health.”
You get about 30 servings per container, but the bag costs $79, making it $2.63 per serving. Most other greens powders are just over $1 per serving, so we gave Athletic Greens a 1 out of 5 for price per serve. To soften the price, a cup of coffee is going to cost you at least $3.30 in a cafe, so if you grab a daily Starbucks, why not swap for a nutritious beverage?
Read our full Athletic Greens AG1 Review.
Best Greens Powder with Fiber: Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens
A simple but effectively-dosed supplement that emphasizes sea greens and prebiotic fiber, and contains other ingredients in full doses backed by science.
Specs
- Available Flavors: Peach Mango, Unflavored
- Certifications: None
- Nutrition Per Scoop: 60 calories, 9g carbs, 4g protein
- Key Ingredients: Organic prebiotics, Algae greens
- Sweeteners Used: Stevia
- Price: $45.99
- Price Per Serving: $1.53
- Servings: 30
Fiber can promote good digestion, helping you to feel fuller for longer. “Most greens powders actually lack this ingredient,” says Gianna Masi, RDN, a registered dietitian and certified personal trainer. But with this supplement, you get about 21 percent of your daily value.
If digestive regularity is a challenge, Prebiotic Greens is one of the best probiotic supplements among greens powders. You get six grams of fiber per serving, plus a blend of probiotics for digestive health. However, it does lack any info on the actual nutrients you get with these ingredients, earning this product a 2 out of 5 for formulation.
“I really enjoyed the Peach Mango flavor,” one of our product testers said, giving the taste a 4 out of 5. “The flavor is definitely sweet but not too much and still a little earthy.” However, one of our other product testers found the flavor too grassy and needed to be mixed with orange juice. Flavor is a personal preference, so it really just depends on what you like.
This one earned a 4.5 out of 5 for solubility because our testers had zero issues when mixing the supplement with water. It dissolved easily, and you didn’t need to consistently stir as you sipped the drink.
When it comes to actual value and price, we thought this product was lacking a little, giving it a 3 out of 5 for price per serving. The 30-serving container costs $39.99 or $1.33 per serving, which isn’t particularly expensive. However, you can find cheaper products with better formulations, including specific percentages of vitamins and minerals.
Best Organic Greens Powder: Nested Naturals Super Greens
Nested Naturals Super Greens blends micronutrients with digestion-focused ingredients, including probiotics and digestive enzymes. You can get this product in a handful of flavors with different objectives, including immunity or energy.
Like all the best organic protein powders, multivitamins, and greens powders, finding a formula rich with quality, certified-organic ingredients can be a challenge. In our opinion, Nested Naturals Super Greens hit this mark perfectly with organic, non-GMO, vegan-friendly ingredients designed to help provide a spark to your overall health and well-being.
This formula has a probiotic blend with about 1.67 billion CFU, digestive enzymes, and a fiber blend, all of which are helpful for digestion. However, we gave the formula a 2 out of 5 because it contains proprietary blends.
“Nested Naturals Super Greens contains multiple proprietary blends,” adds Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD. “So, while they may offer many purported health benefits, you can’t be sure exactly how much of each ingredient you’re consuming.”
And while it does contain fiber and probiotics, they’re not in very high doses. You only get about seven percent of your daily fiber value, which isn’t very much. And the 1.67 billion CFU is positive but some probiotic supplements contain 50 billion CFU or more per dose. (2)
This supplement comes in a few flavors, including Berry Immunity, Calm, Chocolate, Energy Original, Focus, all with ingredients geared towards different benefits. “I had the original and it tasted like a lot of other greens powders I’ve sipped,” our tester said, giving the flavor a 3 out of 5. “The flavor tastes green — that’s the best way I can put it. I can get it down with just water but I’d definitely recommend mixing it with juice.”
Nested Naturals Super Greens earned a 4.5 out of 5 for price per serving. The package costs about $24.99 for 30 servings, which is about $0.83 per serving, making this one of our budget-friendly options.
Read our full Nested Naturals Super Greens Review.
Best Greens Powder For Bloating: Ora Organic Greens
With 21 organic greens —from sea kelp, and spirulina, to wheat grass, and chlorella — this powder provides three servings of greens with each scoop. With a slight citrus flavor, this product is vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and sustainably sourced.
Specs
- Available Flavors: Orange
- Certifications: Certified USDA organic
- Nutrition Per Scoop: 30 calories, 5g carbs, 2g protein
- Key Ingredients: Organic prebiotics, Fiber
- Sweeteners Used: Organic Monk Fruit
- Price: $39.99
- Price Per Serving: $1.33
- Servings: 30
Worrying about how to prevent bloating when using a greens powder can be a big concern for some people. Not only does Ora Organic Greens feature all-natural ingredients, BarBend editorial member and certified personal trainer Kate Meier rated its potential side effects — like bloating — a 5 out of 5. “I felt zero bloating or really any side effects at all,” she says. “And that’s saying something for a greens powder.”
When our expert reviewer Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD took a look at the formula, she was happy to see that Ora Organic Greens is Certified USDA Organic. “I like that it doesn’t contain added sugars, filler ingredients, or artificial sweeteners,” she says.
While the organic monk fruit means you won’t be taking in any artificial sweeteners, Meier was a bit underwhelmed by the citrusy flavor. “It was close to the orange flavor, but it tasted a little artificial,” she says, rating its flavor 3 out of 5. “ It wasn’t bad, though, and it was way less grass-y than other greens powders.”
Bourgeois also points out that, although it may help avoid bloating, you might also be avoiding some key nutrients. “The nutrition facts show that each serving provides a very low percentage of your needs for the limited nutrients included,” she says.
“For example, one serving of Easy Being Green provides only 9 percent of the recommended vitamin K intake for the average healthy adult,” Bourgeois adds, scoring its formula just 2 out of 5. “However, adding a ½ of raw spinach to a smoothie or ANY other recipe would provide 60 percent of your day’s needs. You’re spending quite a bit to get very little nutritional benefit with this greens powder.”
Best Tasting Greens Powder: Live It Up Super Greens
Live It Up Supergreens pack more than 100 percent of plenty vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin B1, and vitamin B12, to name a few. It also has a refreshing minty flavor.
Let’s be totally honest: Greens powders taste, well, very green. For most greens powder supplements, getting past the earthy flavor is a challenge. But that wasn’t our experience with the Live It Up greens powder. After sipping this product for six months, our tester gave the overall flavor a 4.5 out of 5.
“The Original flavor is kind of like mint,” our tester said. “I’d say it definitely tastes as described. At first, I thought the flavor was a little overwhelming but I actually think it’s one of the best greens drinks I’ve had.”
Overall, we liked the formula here, too. Live it Up’s formula has more than 20 natural superfoods, including chlorella and spirulina. You also get more than 50 percent of your daily recommended value of vitamin A and B vitamins — B1, B9, and B12. However, we don’t love that the brand uses proprietary blends.
“Live It Up Greens scores a 2.75 out of 5 in the formulation category,” according to Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD. She also highlights it as a good vegan protein source. “It contains a small amount of plant-based protein, whereas many other greens powders do not. However, its nutrient content leaves you wanting more based on the cost per serving and many ingredients are part of proprietary blends.”
We also had a little bit of issues with solubility, giving this category a 3 out of 5. According to our testers, the product leaves some powder at the bottom of the cup no matter how much shaking they did. A blender may solve this issue but we understand that not everyone has time to whip up a smoothie every time they want to sip this supplement.
At $1.99 per serving ($59.99 per bag), this is a pricier greens powder. However, you can subscribe to monthly deliveries for $39.99 ($1.33 per serving). Nevertheless, we know this product may not be within every athlete’s budget and we do have more cost-friendly options on this list.
Best Greens Powder with Spirulina: Legion Genesis Greens
This greens powder contains 5g of spirulina, 3g of reishi mushroom, 3g of astragalus membranaceus, 1.25g of dong quai root, and 1.5g of maca root extract. It comes in two flavors — Original and Acai Berry — which are both naturally sweetened and flavored.
Specs
- Available Flavors: Acai Berry, Original
- Certifications: None
- Nutrition Per Scoop: 70 calories, 12g carbs, 4g protein
- Key Ingredients: Algae greens, mushrooms
- Sweeteners Used: Stevia
- Price: $41.99
- Price Per Serving: $1.40
- Servings: 30
One dose of Legion Genesis provides five grams of organic spirulina, a blue-green algae that’s rich in nutrients like iron and beta-carotene. (3) Spirulina is also rich in antioxidants, which may help reduce inflammation. Research has linked consistent spirulina intake with improved health parameters surrounding weight, blood pressure, and endothelial function. (4)
Alongside the spirulina, this super greens powder includes maca root extract, dong quai root, and others, earning this powder a 4 out of 5 for formulation. These ingredients help support various functions, including immunity, blood sugar, and overall organ health. “Plus, it’s third-party tested, giving you further peace of mind when adding the greens powder to your supplement routine,” says Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD.
“We specifically like Legion as one of the best super greens powders because you can actually read through the benefits of each ingredient,” says our product tester Kate Meier, BarBend editorial staff member and competitive weightlifter. “The formula is lab tested and Legion provides research to prove its ingredients are in effective doses.”
This product comes in two flavors: Acai Berry and Original. “I sipped the acai berry and actually thought the flavor was okay — it tasted like berries mixed with greens,” Meier said, giving the flavor an overall 4 out of 5. “I finished the whole scoop and actually enjoyed it.”
It actually blended beautifully, too, earning a 4.5 out of 5 for solubility. We had to ding the product a little, though, because Meier had to stir for a while before the product fully dissolved.
We gave this product a 4 out 5 for price, though. The 30-serving container costs $41.99, which is about $1.40 per serving. There are definitely cheaper options for those shopping on a budget. We also did like that Legion offers pretty hassle-free returns, in case you’re not satisfied with the product.
Best Greens Powder for Digestion: Pro Health Longevity Greens
Start your day with this impressive greens powder that can be ideal for immune health, cellular health, and digestion. Plus, included servings of moringa leaf, ginger, broccoli, kale, berries, and cabbage can potentially be helpful for liver detoxification.
Specs
- Available Flavors: Apple Banana
- Certifications: USDA Organic
- Nutrition Per Scoop: 30 calories, 8g carbs
- Key Ingredients: 500 million CFU prebiotic and probiotic blend, Dextoxifying enzyme booster blend, Organic immuno antioxidant blend
- Sweeteners Used: Sugar, organic flavors, stevia rebaudioside A
- Price: $64.95
- Price Per Serving: $2.17
- Servings: 30
Thinking about adding a greens powder to your regimen to support your gut? Pro Health Longevity Greens comes equipped with key prebiotics, probiotics (500 million CFUs from seven bacterial strains), and digestive enzymes to help bolster your digestion in a quick and simple shake. Plus, this formulation features multiple blends to help with cellular health, liver detoxification, immune system health, and more.
After testing it out for himself, BarBend editorial member Matt Cummings rated its flavor 4 out of 5. “It was pretty sweet, but not overwhelming,” he says. “I though it tasted somewhat like an apple, but I didn’t register much banana.”
From a formulation standpoint, Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD, does feel this Pro Health offering is rather standard, rating it at 3 out of 5 for the category. “If you’re deficient in vitamin B12 or prone to anemia, Pro Health Longevity Greens Powder may be a valuable addition to your treatment under the guidance of your healthcare provider,” she adds. “But it’s important to remember that the body doesn’t store unused vitamin B12, so any of the 1,500 milligrams that go unused will just be excreted.”
Bourgeois also notes that this greens powder relies heavily on proprietary blends, meaning there’s less transparency regarding the actual dosages of each ingredient. If you’re looking for more concrete servings of ingredients like maca root, spirulina, moringa leaf, ashwagandha root, and others, it may be best to avoid powders featuring proprietary blends.
Finally, Pro Health Longevity Greens Powder is somewhat expensive when compared to the average costs of other greens supplements. “You’re paying a little more than $2 per serving to get anywhere from 3 to 50 percent of your daily value for various nutrients, with the exception of vitamin B12,” says Bourgeois. Still, for those wanting a boost to their GI tract similar to high-fiber foods, this can be a worthwhile option.
Best Affordable Greens Powder: Jacked Factory Green Surge
This greens supplement costs only about $0.83 per serving, making it one of the most cost-friendly greens powders on the market. However, it's also loaded with digestive enzymes, probiotics, and essential nutrients.
Specs
- Available Flavors: Sour Apple, Lemon Lime
- Certifications: None
- Nutrition Per Scoop: N/A
- Key Ingredients: Digestive enzymes, probiotics, essential micronutrients
- Sweeteners Used: Sucralose
- Price: $29.99
- Price Per Serving: $0.83
- Servings: 30
Not everyone can afford to spend hundreds of dollars on supplements a month. The good news is, you don’t have to! Earning a 5 out of 5 for price per serving, Jacked Factory’s Green Surge is a budget-friendly option that only costs about $0.83 cents per serving ($24.99 for 30 servings).
The formula combines whole-food sourced ingredients with a probiotic blend to support digestive health for athletes and non-athletes alike. However, our testers had to give this formula a 3 out of 5 because you don’t actually get specific micronutrient values. “It includes many nutrient-dense ingredients that support gut and immune health, but the probiotic blend is proprietary,” states Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD.
Unique to Jacked Factory’s product, this comes in multiple flavors, including Mixed Berry, Unflavored, Mint Chocolate, Sour Apple, and Lemon Lime. “I sipped on the mixed berry and I really enjoyed it,” says our product tester, giving the flavor a 4.5 out of 5. “It still tastes a little bit grassy but the added berry flavor makes it more appetizing.”
Although our tester didn’t notice any unwanted side effects, “it does contain sucralose as a sweetener,” she says, giving a 4 out of 5 for side effects. “Sucralose can cause unwanted digestive issues for some athletes, so if you have trouble with artificial sweeteners, this may not be the best product.”
This product ships across the world and has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if the product doesn’t meet expectations, you can return it. However, given the large number of five-star reviews on the company website, there’s a good chance you will, too.
Best Greens Powder for Gut Health: 1st Phorm Opti-Greens 50
Opti-Greens 50 contains digestive enzymes and probiotics to help combat any unwanted bloating. Plus, you can buy this product in single-serving packets for easier on-the-go supplementation.
Specs
- Available Flavors: Natural Berry
- Certifications: Informed Choice Tested, 100 percent non-gmo
- Nutrition Per Scoop: 30 calories, 5g carbs, 2g protein
- Key Ingredients: Probiotics, organic grasses, digestive enzymes
- Sweeteners Used: Stevia
- Price: $69.99
- Price Per Serving: $2.33
- Servings: 30
This formula combines digestive enzymes and probiotics, including amylase, protease, peptidase, lipase, and more — That’s great news for those wondering how to improve gut health. Plus, this only has one gram of fiber, which is ideal if you’re concerned about bloating, as high-fiber diets can sometimes cause extra bloat. (5)
“I’m super impressed that each serving of 1st Phorm Opti-Greens 50 contains a probiotic with 5 billion colony forming units (CFUs),” states Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, M.S., RDN, LD. “With gut health-promoting ingredients like that, bloating shouldn’t be a problem with this greens powder.”
This formula contains some whole-food sourced ingredients, like barley grass, spirulina, wheatgrass, kale, spinach, and more. But our tester gave the formulation a 2 out of 5 because you can’t actually tell how much of each ingredient you get per dose.
This only comes in the Natural Berry Flavor but we were pleasantly surprised. “I actually enjoyed how this tasted,” our tester said, giving the flavor a 4 out of 5. “Unlike some others, it’s actually not very grassy at all, which is unique.” They also had zero issues with solubility, as it dissolved easily in water with no clumping.
Our tester had no side-effects with this supplement, giving it a 5 out of 5 in that category. “I didn’t experience any side effects at all,” our tester said. “Also it seems customers really enjoy this product for bloating issues.”
We gave this product a 3 out of 5 for price, as it sits in the middle of the road — it’s not too pricey but there are cheaper alternatives. One bag costs $70 for 30 servings, which is about $2.33 per serving.
Best Greens Powder for Weight Loss: Huel Daily Superblend
Huel Daily Superblend is a plant-based, nutritionally complete, 250-calorie meal replacement that's loaded with vitamins and minerals sourced from wholefood ingredients. This powder is gluten-free, soy-free, and dairy-free.
Specs
- Available Flavors: Chocolate, Vanilla
- Certifications: N/A
- Nutrition Per Scoop: 250 calories, 25g protein, 6g fiber
- Key Ingredients: Plant-based protein, fiber, adaptogens
- Sweeteners Used: Monk fruit extract
- Price: $57
- Price Per Serving: $3
- Servings: 19
When it comes to losing weight, a powder like Huel Daily Superblend can help with the age-old problem — feeling full. As our expert reviewer Gabrielle Fundaro explains in her article about calorie deficits, reaching your weight loss goals requires taking in fewer calories that you expend. “Your body requires a certain amount of energy — measured in calories — to stay alive and perform all of your daily activities,” she says. “When you’re in a calorie deficit, you lose weight because your body has to release the energy stored in your body fat in order to meet your energy needs,” Fundaro adds.
Compared to most greens powders, 250 calories per serving is a ton. But the 25 grams of protein and 6 grams of fiber packed into this powder may help keep you satiated enough to prevent you from reaching for that afternoon snack.
When certified personal trainer and BarBend expert reviewer Kate Meier tried it out, she wasn’t sure what to expect. “This was my first protein and greens blend, and I liked it a lot more than I thought I would,” she says. While its formula offers a robust lineup of micronutrients and whole-food ingredients, many are part of proprietary blends that don’t disclose the amounts of each.
As far as the taste goes, Meier rated the chocolate variety 4.5 out of 5. “If you’ve ever put cacao nibs in your smoothie, this tastes like that,” she says. “The cacao was quite strong, but in a good way. And there was just a slight green-y taste at the end.”
The high levels of protein and fiber, along with hearty dosages of vitamins A, B12, C, D, E, and K were impressive, but Meier could not get over the price. “If it wasn’t for the insane price, I’d totally use this myself, but $3 per serving is a lot,” she says, rating its price per serving just 2 out of 5. “Unless you’re constantly on the go, I think there are better options out there.”
Benefits of Greens Powders
When greens supplements burst onto the scene, they were marketed as the evolution of multivitamins. They’re not just sources of vitamins and minerals, however. Greens powders often contain antioxidants, probiotic bacteria, digestive enzymes, and naturally-derived compounds that are linked to everything from better-functioning livers to improved mental clarity. Keep reading to learn all the health benefits of greens powders.
- They Provide Additional Nutrients: The ingredients in greens powders can often exceed what’s offered in a multivitamin. Diets rich in plant-based foods have been associated with improved health markers, such as a lower risk of heart disease, improved insulin sensitivity, weight management support, and a reduced risk of certain cancers. (6)
- They’re Whole-Food Based: If you compare greens powders vs. multivitamins, you’ll see that greens aim to harvest the benefits of whole food ingredients that can sometimes be excluded from a daily multi. “I love whole food sources as a means to get our nutrition and vitamins and minerals, so I like that a lot of the greens powders are derived from whole fruits, vegetables, and grasses,” says our expert reviewer and registered dietitian Gianna Masi.
When Should I Take Greens Powders?
You can generally take a greens powder whenever it’s right for you — you’ll get the health benefits regardless. However, some companies recommend you take their product in the morning on an empty stomach.
As with any vitamin, greens powders can show the best results if you take them regularly — so no matter when you choose to take your greens throughout the day, ensure it’s a time you can maintain consistently.
How Much Do Greens Powders Cost?
Like many other supplements, greens powders fall into a wide range of prices. On the lower end, you’ll find powders that cost just 20 cents per serving. On the higher end of the range, you may find greens powders that cost more than $3 per serving. On average, however, you can expect to pay between $1.50 and $2 per serving. We’ve got several picks in that range on our list, as well as some that cost less and others that cost more.
Best Greens Powder Overall | Athletic Greens AG1 | $2.63 per serving |
Best Greens Powder for Fiber | Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens | $1.53 per serving |
Best Organic Greens Powder | Nested Naturals Super Greens | $0.83 per serving |
Best Greens Powder For Bloating | Ora Organic Greens | $1.33 per serving |
Best Tasting Greens Powder | Live It Up Super Greens | $1.99 per serving |
Best Greens Powder with Spirulina | Legion Genesis Greens | $1.40 per serving |
Best Greens Powder for Digestion | Pro Health Longevity Greens | $2.17 per serving |
Best Affordable Greens Powder | Jacked Factory Green Surge | $0.83 per serving |
Best Greens Powder for Gut Health | 1st Phorm Opti-Greens 50 | $2.33 per serving |
Best Greens Powder for Weight Loss | Huel Daily Superblend | $3 per serving |
Common Ingredients In Greens Powders
Greens powders often contain nearly 75 different vitamins and minerals per serving. However, each brand takes a different approach to their formulation. While you’ll see a lot of different ingredients across the market, there are some big hitters you’ll see in many of the top greens powders.
Prebiotics and Probiotics
Prebiotic fiber and probiotics make for the golden combo when it comes to gut health. You’ll find prebiotic fiber in foods like legumes, beans, berries, and asparagus. Prebiotics are the fuel for probiotics, which are the good bacteria that line your gut. The potential side effects of probiotics are also mild. Greens powders often contain one or both of these ingredients to potentially help with digestion and gut health. (7)
Spirulina
Spirulina is a blue-green algae that may provide antioxidant properties. It contains a high amount of vitamin B12, and it may also be helpful in balancing the gut microbiome, and boosting immunity. (8)
Digestive Enzymes
Your body naturally produces digestive enzymes, which are proteins that can help you break down the food you eat. However, many greens powders contain an additional dose of these proteins to potentially help optimize gut health. (9)
Vegetables and Fruits
Most greens powders are made of powdered versions of — you guessed it — greens, like spinach, kale, chlorella, broccoli, and wheatgrass. Some even contain fruits like pineapple, to provide bromelain, and apple. Though even the best powdered greens contain plenty of nutrients, some of their nutritional benefits are lost in powder processing.
So, though nothing beats eating these foods fresh, these powders can be helpful in adding nutrients on top of your daily salads. In instances when you’re traveling or it’s hard to follow the same healthy diet you do when you’re home, the best daily greens powders can be useful supplements.
What to Consider Before Buying a Greens Powder
Before you click “order” on your new greens powder, consider these three points.
Third Party Testing
When any supplement is third-party tested, that means the formula has been independently verified for accuracy. Huh? A third party made sure that the label reflects what is actually in there. They can also test for contaminants like heavy metals.
When you’re shopping for your new greens powder supplement, look for certifications like NSF Certified for Sport®, USDA Certified Organic, or Informed Choice for Sport for peace of mind about what you’re putting in your body.
Quality Ingredients
Because greens powders can have many different focuses — antioxidants, digestive health, and adaptogens, to name a few — do some research to discover the strengths and weaknesses of your product before you commit. Supplements like these are not regulated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration), so take advantage of our team of expert reviewers before making your choice.
Many options use whole-food sourced ingredients and natural sweeteners, but take a look at the label to make sure you only see any high-quality ingredients.
Value and Cost Per Serving
Saying, “yes,” to a new greens powder means you’ll be making a daily commitment. When you’re sifting through your options, don’t forget to factor in the cost of each supplement. With some prices reaching up to $3 per serving, it’s important to consider how much value you’re getting out of your investment.
Different Ways to Take Greens Powders
Don’t think you have to just mix greens powders into a glass of water and slam it (though you can). Here are a handful of creative ways to get in your greens (powder).
- Mix them into your shake: If you’re the type of person who prefers a more elaborate protein or one of the best meal replacement shakes, then you may want to consider tossing a greens powder into the mix.
- Bake a frittata: A frittata — a dish of eggs (and/or egg white), veggies, proteins, and cheese that’s baked in the oven — is a convenient grab-and-go meal, packed with protein for muscle gain. With all of those flavors intermingling, you probably won’t even notice two scoops of your greens powder thrown in for a nutrient boost.
- Make a pesto: The same logic applies to the above two suggestions. The next time you whip up a pesto, a sauce that’s already green and earthy, try adding a scoop of greens powder to give it an even more earthy flavor and color.
- Bake brownies: Why not add some nutrients to a delicious dessert? Brownies have a strong chocolate flavor that can mask the greens. Also, you can try making protein brownies or protein bars, where you can add whey protein powder to a brownie recipe for more protein.
Best Greens Powders FAQs
What is the best greens powder?
There are several greens powders on the market that may be effective, but our favorite is Athletic Greens AG1. The extensive ingredient list includes antioxidants, adaptogens, probiotics, minerals, vitamins, and a host of superfoods. It’s a little higher in price, but the Pineapple Vanilla flavoring puts this product a step above the rest due to its drinkability.
What is greens powder?
A green superfood powder, also just called a greens powder, usually refers to a supplement that contains a base of antioxidant-rich algae or grasses, typically wheatgrass, barley grass, spirulina, and/or chlorella. Usually a greens powder will also contain ingredients for digestive health (like probiotic bacteria), adaptogens (plants that can help improve stress levels), and/or added vitamins and minerals.
Are greens powders worth it?
Greens powders are worth it because they provide helpful vitamins and minerals and usually contain high levels of phytonutrients. They’re also usually high in fiber, contain antioxidants, and provide other green superfoods. They might be expensive sometimes or not taste the best, but the potential benefits are worth it.
When to take greens powder?
Generally speaking, it doesn’t matter what time of day you take your greens powder supplement. Some brands recommend taking their products on an empty stomach, so make sure to read the label for specific recommendations. The important thing to remember is that, as with any vitamin, regular use is crucial to maximize the benefits.
How to make greens powder taste better?
While we’ll admit many greens powders leave us wanting in the taste department, but some are quite pleasant and refreshing even. If you have trouble downing your greens powder, it can help to mix it with fruit juice or mask it in a smoothie or protein shake. Bold flavors like nut butters often help too.
References
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- National Institutes of Health. Probiotics. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/
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