It’s hard to look for the right green powder for you, and there’s just so many on the market nowadays that it’s overwhelming to sieve through all of them! You’re probably one of the millions who DO NOT get enough fruits and vegetables and want to take the first step to change your life.
Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. There’s a powder that’s been on the market for ten years and is the go-to health supplement for big names from the 4-Hour Body god Tim Ferris to 2x Olympic Fencing Athlete Dagmara Wozniak. If it works for them, chances are it is going to work for you!
In this article, I’ll be covering the Athletic Greens complete supplement powder, so you don’t have to do the nitty-gritty. I’ll emphasize important aspects from price to nutritional benefits so that you can judge for yourself.
Summary of Product
Vegan, keto, and paleo-friendly | A product of New Zealand |
75 high-quality ingredients | Contains probiotics for better digestion |
High in vitamins | Source of anti-oxidants |
Features
Athletic Greens take pride in putting high-quality ingredients and no crap fillers, artificial colorings and flavors, preservatives and added sugars in their products. I was skeptical at first, but a quick scan through the ingredient label justified their claims. Green light right there.
Considering that one serving of this supplement has only 50 grams of calories and 6 grams of total carbs, this product is a great option for those on a ketogenic and other low-carb diets. The supplement is also gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegan-friendly.
Typically, green powders have 20-40 different ingredients crushed into powder. But with Athletic Greens, you’re getting a WHOPPING 75. You’re getting more bang for your buck, considering you’re paying for less than a cup of latte at your favorite coffee shop.
Other features:
- Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Certified Facility
- TGA-Registered
- 100% made in New Zealand
- Vegan, Keto, Paleo-Friendly
Nutritional Aspects
Athletic Greens provides a long list of supplements.
I’ve randomly selected the vitamins and compared it to the suggested daily requirements, and I’m glad to say that most of these vitamins meet those requirements, if not surpass it. Not surprisingly, this is where most supplement companies cheap out on, but Athletic Greens decided to take the high road.
Probiotics
The benefits of probiotics were thought to be found in the early 20th century and has become super popular over the past few years. If you haven’t figured it out, probiotics are bacteria that is good for you, especially in improving your digestive system. In fact, many manufacturers have abused the usage of “probiotics” in their labels, using bacteria that don’t necessarily have the science to back their benefits. Hence, why it’s worth going through. Athletic Greens have two types of bacteria; Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum.
Lactobacillus acidophilus
Lactobacillus mainly colonizes the small intestine. Studies have shown that consumption of L. acidophilus can reduce cold symptoms in children. This was given with combination with other bacteria, Bifidobacterium bifidum which is also another probiotic in Athletic Greens. Another benefit to L. acidophilus consumption is that it can improve your gut health. L. acidophilus has shown to increase levels of acetic, butyric, and propionic acids in the gut.
Why is this important?
As it turns out, these short-chain fatty acids are important in reducing the occurrence of colon or intestinal disorders many people in the West have, especially inflammatory-related diseases. If you have problems with getting enough vegetables, this supplement could be a plus point for you.
Bifidobacterium bifidum
Overall, these particular bacteria may be helpful in reducing symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). A lot of people have this without even realizing what it is. The typical symptoms of IBS are pain in your belly area as well as inconsistent or change in bowel habits that include constipation and/or diarrhea.
Unlike the previously stated L. acidophilus, the B. bifidum usually thrive in the large intestine, where there is less to no oxygen. Some strands of B. bifidum may improve your immune system as well as. If you have painful gastritis, this bacteria could be your lifesaver. B. bifidum inhibits the growth of H. pylori, a bad bacteria that can cause ulcers in your stomach and a cause of gastritis.
Dosage
We’ve seen what the bacteria can do, but are the dosages right?
According to the nutrition label on Athletic Greens, there’s 3.6 billion CFU of probiotics per serving. For general gut health, this is more than the required amount. However, if you’re recovering from a bowel disorder like acute diarrhea, then it’s best you first consult your doctor.
Overall, from my research, I believe that Athletic Greens is not underdosing their product for that profit margin.
Superfood Complex
At first glance, the “raw superfood complex” in Athletic Greens look impressive. Unfortunately, it’s a proprietary blend and we have no idea what the quantity is for each ingredient. Many companies underdose the important expensive ingredients because they can “hide” it in the list. The best bet is by going through it accordingly. Those stated first would typically be the most abundant. Because there’s so many to look at, we’ll focus on the first three.
Spirulina
I’m glad Athletic Greens included this on in. According to Healthline, according to a gram-to-gram basis, spirulina may be the world’s most nutritious food. Spirulina is rich in antioxidants. This protects our cells from free radicals, potentially preventing us from cell damage and even cancer in the future. The phycocyanin in spirulina has also been shown to fight inflammation and may reduce abnormal sensitivity to pain.
For the icing on top, consuming spirulina can reduce bad LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides and increase good HDL cholesterol. A study found that with just 1 gram of spirulina every day for 3 months, LDL levels of 52 adults had reduced by 16.3%, while increasing HDL levels by 3.5%.
Lecithin
Lecithin has shown to lower LDL cholesterol and improve overall cardiovascular health. However, I would take this statement with a grain of salt because there isn’t much study to back up this data. Other claimed benefits of lecithin consumption is its ability to keep your skin hydrated and fighting symptoms of dementia.
Organic Apple Powder
Apple powder comes from the real fruit itself, where the juice has been removed through a process that preserves the goodness which keeps the doctor away. Apple is rich in vitamin C which is an antioxidant that protects your cells from cancer. Apples are also rich in pectin, which is known to reduce LDL cholesterol levels and improve your overall heart health.
Flavor
Generally, most green powders on the market taste like grass- horrible. However, from all the reviews and experiences I’ve gathered, Athletic Greens taste quite refreshing. It’s not delicious, but it’s not horrible either. It tastes like a mix of tropical fruit and yogurt, so adding a bit of mango yogurt and vanilla would complement it well. Otherwise, most people have no problems downing it on its own.
Pricing
As of publishing this article, there are three ways you can get your Athletic Greens supply; a one-time trial pack, monthly subscription, and a “Double Hit” subscription. Refer to the table for a comparison between the three packages:
One-Time Trial | Monthly Subscription | Double Hit Subscription | |
|---|---|---|---|
Daily Servings | 30 | 30 | 60 |
Price | $97 | $77/month | $147/month |
Price per Serving | $3.23 | $2.57 | $2.45 |
It’s true that you can’t put a price on your health, but it’s obvious that Athletic Greens is very expensive, even if you were to opt for the Double Hit option. With many other options out there being at least a dollar cheaper per serving, you should evaluate if the extra ingredients are worth it. That’s for you and your bank account to decide.
Who is it for?
Athletic Greens markets itself as a product for anyone who wishes to lead healthier lives – quite a cliché for products in this market. But, as I mentioned before, you’re getting much more ingredients compared to most green powders in the market, and it is much more expensive.
I believe this product is great for those with a bit more cash and struggle to get their daily dose of vegetables. Find yourself skipping breakfast often for class? Or is the non-fast food option too far from your office? This may be a great option for you. It tastes alright and won’t keep you gagging in the morning once you get used to it!
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a high-quality product and don’t mind spending an extra dollar or two a serving, it’s a no brainer that this powder is right for you. Despite not being completely transparent about its ingredient quantities (and some questionable ingredients), I can vouch for the benefits it brings.
From the many reviews I’ve read, most people were extremely happy with the product and felt noticeable changes in their energy and digestion after their first month, even though a small fraction were disappointed with the lack of results. No two powders work the same for everyone, and the best experience is the first-hand experience. However, this is purely a supplement and should replace whole foods.
Want to Improve Your Health?
Better health starts in the kitchen, with the food that you eat and the meals you prepare. Getting the best outcomes involves making good choices about the food and the ingredients that you use.
Check out my recommended products to see where you can get started.
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