AG1 Greens Powder, or Athletic Greens, have recently been booming all over social media. Do you know what it’s all about? 

What is AG1?

This substance is a plant-based powder supplement made of 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food sourced ingredients. It also contains probiotics, digestive enzymes, natural sweeteners, extracts, and extra fiber. 

The Hype

The hype around AG1 stems from the various benefits that this powder is believed to offer. 

1. Comprehensive nutrition: 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food sourced nutrients in one daily serving.
2. Convenient: One scoop or travel packet dissolved in 8 ounces of water. 
3. Better than pills or capsules: Since you mix AG1 with water, it’s more efficiently absorbed by the body.
4. For everybody: Optimized for athletes and everyone in between. Vegan, Paleo, and Keto-friendly.

The Science Behind AG1

Although there have been many positive claims about this supplement, we’re here to give you the evidence backed science. 

1. Research shows that the various vitamins and minerals that this powder contains have anti-inflammatory properties that could potentially help neutralize free radicals in the body [1]. 
2. With plant-based, pea protein, this macronutrient also helps with recovery after strenuous training [2]. 
3. AG1 also contains rhodiola which has been shown to help the body better adapt to stress [3]. 
4. Probiotics within the powder also support a healthy immune system [4].
5. Finally, a good dose of fatty acids help to regulate blood sugar [5]. 

Our Recommendation

Based on these findings, green powders can be a good option when on the go and the current evidence shows AG1 to be very safe. Having one of these products on hand may be useful for when you are traveling, and it is difficult to find fresh produce. 

It is important to note, however, that these components are lumped as “complexes” on the ingredient label, making it difficult for consumers to verify if these vitamins and minerals are actually provided at an effective dose per serving. In other words, these vitamins and minerals may be present in the product, but it remains unclear as to whether 1) there is enough to benefit your body or 2) whether they are in the right bioavailable form that your body can absorb and benefit from.

Remember that supplements are in no way a substitute for whole plant foods. We first suggest making sure you have nailed the basics of nutrition.  Incorporate a wide variety of whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, nuts, and seeds into your overall healthy diet for optimal health.

Should you spend your money on green powder? At $3.30 per serving, our recommendation is to invest elsewhere like the produce section instead. 

How do I get started?

Not sure how to get enough greens in your daily meals? We’ve got you! Check out our 1 Week Real Food, Real Quick Meal Plan for easy and delicious meals that are made from only whole foods.

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References:

1. Rao, V., Balachandran, B., Shen, H., Logan, A., & Rao, L. (2011). In vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of the plant-based supplement greens+™. International journal of molecular sciences, 12(8), 4896–4908. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms12084896
2. Ha, E., & Zemel, M. B. (2003). Functional properties of whey, whey components, and essential amino acids: mechanisms underlying health benefits for active people (review). The Journal of nutritional biochemistry, 14(5), 251–258. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0955-2863(03)00030-5
3. Lekomtseva, Y., Zhukova, I., & Wacker, A. (2017). Rhodiola rosea in Subjects with Prolonged or Chronic Fatigue Symptoms: Results of an Open-Label Clinical Trial. Complementary medicine research, 24(1), 46–52. https://doi.org/10.1159/000457918
4. Resta-Lenert, S., & Barrett, K. E. (2003). Live probiotics protect intestinal epithelial cells from the effects of infection with enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC). Gut, 52(7), 988–997. https://doi.org/10.1136/gut.52.7.988
5. Helland, A., Bratlie, M., Hagen, I. V., Mjøs, S. A., Sørnes, S., Ingvar Halstensen, A., Brokstad, K. A., Sveier, H., Rosenlund, G., Mellgren, G., & Gudbrandsen, O. A. (2017). High intake of fatty fish, but not of lean fish, improved postprandial glucose regulation and increased the n-3 PUFA content in the leucocyte membrane in healthy overweight adults: a randomised trial. The British journal of nutrition, 117(10), 1368–1378. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0007114517001234

Credit: Becca Simon