Athletic Greens
Thanks to a 1994 US Food and Drug Administration ruling that supplements are food, not medicine, green powders remain unregulated; they may or may not do what they claim, and may not contain the ingredients their labels specify. In fact, they may even contain unlabeled ingredients. Despite this lack of transparency, the health supplement market is booming. To help pin down the best, most trustworthy green powders that do what they claim and also taste good, I've spoken with dietitians and tried options from popular brands.
While greens powders aren’t harmful, they’re also expensive and not a silver bullet for pristine health. The dietitians with whom I spoke agreed that green powders won’t replace a healthy, varied diet. You need to eat your greens, plain and simple. But if you’re someone who doesn’t eat enough fruits and veggies, you and your health care provider may determine that certain greens powders may help bridge the nutritional gap.
Your doctor can help you determine which nutrients you're lacking and assess whether a specific greens powder may help to supplement. After trying many greens powders (with my doctor's approval!), I have noticed better, smoother digestion; heightened energy levels; and a general sense of wellness.
Is there a greens brand you want WIRED to try? Do you have one you swear by? Let me know in the comments below.
Updated June 2026: I’ve added new greens powders from AG1, Daily Elements, and Nuzest. I’ve also removed some older picks and checked for accuracy throughout.
Bloom Nutrition
Bloom Nutrition
Bloom is the brand I’ve used the longest. WIRED editor Kat Merck also drank Bloom for a long time. I’ve tried a few flavors of Bloom greens, including Strawberry Kiwi (a hit!), Mango (a huge miss!), and Pineapple (somewhere in the middle). I didn’t find it to be too sweet until I started trying powders from other brands for this guide. Only at that point did I find the flavors to be saccharine, leaving me with an artificial taste in my mouth, even if I dilute the powder with more water than the mixture calls for.
It includes pre- and probiotics, fruits and veggies, antioxidants, adaptogens, and digestive enzymes. I did notice that Bloom’s powders helped me feel less bloated, and they helped regulate some of my digestive issues. I also like the tub packaging, which doesn’t take up too much room on my counter and is easier to use than bulky bags. Ultimately, if you don’t want your greens to taste like greens, Bloom is worth checking out.
Though Groove tastes delicious—more like a mocktail than a supplement—it took a little bit longer to dissolve than some other brands I tried. Even so, I enjoyed the Wild Strawberry Kiwi flavor (fresh, sweet, bright) and the Ginger Peach flavor (spicy, sweet). Mixing the drinks did require some annoying cleanup because the scoop design has a little groove on the back that collects powder. To avoid a mess, I recommend storing the scoop outside of the powder bag.
There are superfoods, vitamins, minerals, fiber (a nominal amount, but it’s there), antioxidants, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. The brand touts Alpha GPC (a form of choline), freeze-dried coconut water, and superfoods like various grasses and spirulina. I experienced higher energy levels, improved digestion, and less bloat after drinking Groove than I did with other greens powders I tried. These greens don’t taste like fruits or veggies at all, really. If you want your greens to taste more green, another brand might be a better option.
Live It Up's greens powder is very subtle. It’s almost unflavored, both the plain version and the Wild Berry version. The instructions aren’t super clear—the packaging says to add a scoop to juice, water, or milk. I mixed mine with 10 ounces of water and it was fine. It didn’t taste great and it didn’t taste bad. It’s vaguely earthy, a little sweet, but mostly neutral. Because of that, I think this is the best candidate for mixing into other drinks. You’ll get a kick of “healthy” flavor without risking overpowering whatever it is you’re drinking.
The brand lists each ingredient and the reasons for inclusion on the website, a deep dive that I appreciate (though again, these are not regulated by the FDA). You’ll get probiotics. You’ll get enzymes. You’ll get the superest of superfoods. I noticed higher energy levels and a healthier-feeling gut. If you already have a morning smoothie routine going, or you want something that tastes healthy without tasting like straight-up grass, I think adding in this powder makes sense.
Athletic Greens
Athletic Greens
Amazon (Classic Formula)
Athletic Greens AG1’s sleek, minimalist branding makes it feel elite compared to some other brands. And the same thought is put into the packaging—my AG1 kit came complete with a metal scoop and a slick, luxe-feeling metal storage canister. Just be aware that it will be crazy dusty in your kitchen when you dump the pouch of greens into the canister. You can also opt for travel packs, which come in a stick format. Whichever format you choose, know that AG1 requires refrigeration due to the live probiotics and whole-food ingredients.
The original AG1’s flavor is simultaneously milky, fruity, vegetable-y, and savory—somehow all at once. It’s not unpleasant, but it definitely tastes like Health Food. The company claims it has notes of vanilla and pineapple, and you’ll also get a hint of papaya, broccoli, cherry, carrot, and stevia. It includes no artificial flavors, sweeteners, or additives.
AG1 features 83 total ingredients, including vitamins and minerals, pre- and probiotics, stress adaptogens, antioxidants, “superfoods and mushrooms,” and ingredients for digestion support.
I noticed smoother digestion, higher baseline energy levels, and glowing skin. AG1 is NSF-Certified, meaning it’s been tested by an independent third party that certifies the ingredients listed are exactly what’s in the product. AG1 also has a dedicated page pointing to clinical research studies that disclose the science behind its products. AG1 may be pricey, but it made me feel great and helped soothe my chronic stomach issues.
Athletic Greens
Athletic Greens
If you prefer your greens flavored, consider AG1’s Citrus or Berry options, neither of which is candylike in terms of sweetness. Berry tasted like a blend of strawberries and blueberries, and Citrus tasted like orange juice mixed with a supplement, which was pleasant when I drank it first thing in the morning. These have the same nutritional profile as the Original flavor, but might be more desirable if you want a greens powder that doesn't taste too grassy or vegetal.
The 83 total ingredients include vitamins and minerals, pro- and prebiotics, antioxidants, “superfoods and mushrooms,” digestive enzymes, and probably some other good-for-you things. It's a veritable cocktail of potentially health-boosting ingredients. I noticed smoother digestion and higher energy levels. If you like AG1, but you want it to taste a bit … tastier, the flavors are absolutely worth considering.
Quince Superfood Greens are positioned as a direct competitor to AG1, and looking at the ingredients list, I can see why. There are 78 ingredients, including superfoods, adaptogens and antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, a digestive complex, and probiotics.
There are a few differences between the powders, including that Quince greens have Vitamin D3, which is a fat-soluble vitamin that AG1 sells separately. Quince is also free from stevia, and it has a longer return policy (one year versus 90 days). Quince greens are third-party tested for contaminants, but not NSF-certified. Taste-wise, they're similar. I like the texture and viscosity of Quince's greens more, since the resulting drink is a bit thicker and therefore feels more like a specialty drink and not “water with some stuff in it.” Quince’s powder can take a little while longer to dissolve, but I noticed an immediate boost in energy, and it didn't upset my stomach. The main draw for me is the price—if you're looking for a greens powder that’s dense with ingredients, this is a solid way to get one without spending a ton of money.
Primal Harvest Super Greens tastes like basically nothing compared to all of the other options in this guide. There’s a vague hint of cinnamon, or floral tea notes, or a bit of vanilla, but overall, it has a clean, inoffensive flavor. Chugging a glass of it felt like chugging a gritty glass of water. It didn’t dissolve quite so readily, compared to some of the other powders I tried. But if you treat greens like another vitamin or supplement in your routine, know that this product was quite agreeable in terms of texture and flavor. It helped with my digestion, but I did feel a bit bloated after drinking it.
Amazon (30-Serving Jar)
Organifi’s Green Juice is available in the original mint flavor. There used to be an apple flavor available, but it's no longer available on the website. Most of the greens in this guide are best served cold, and I’d say that’s doubly true for Organifi. The mint flavor was a bit jarring at first. It tastes like minty spearmint gum, and it was a bit strange to be drinking a mint-flavored beverage. Once I convinced my brain that everything was OK, the rest of the drink went down smoothly, with minimal grit. It was sweet without being too sweet. Amazon has a pomegranate berry flavor available, but I haven't tried it yet. This powder smoothed out my digestion and made me feel less bloated.
My one complaint about Organifi is that I found the pouches difficult to close. If you decant the powder into a jar, it’ll be fine, but I ended up storing mine upright in a gallon-size ziplock to avoid accidental spills.
I appreciate that Factor's Form Greens features relatively low vitamin amounts. Rather than containing a huge amount of excess vitamins that your body doesn’t need and can’t use, this powder is full of servings that equate to 100 percent of the daily recommended value. (Again, each person will have their own supplement needs, which is best discussed with a doctor.)
After drinking it, I noticed an immediate energy boost and smooth digestion, though I did get a little belchy on one of my testing days. The various blends include greens and fruits, gut health (with probiotics), adaptogens, and ginseng and ginger for energy.
The taste is juicy, citrus-forward, and bright, with a slightly bitter aftertaste that I didn't find unpleasant. I also liked the small-packet format, which was easy to open. Factor claims each packet contains a full serving of leafy green vegetables, and I can say it was certainly a heck of a lot easier to drink than eat them. (Though, remember, you still need to eat them, too!)
Amazon (10-pack)
Amazon (28-pack)
Gruns (28-pack)
Jüced (28-pack)
Often companies send me samples of products I’m testing, but after I tried some Grüns from my neighbor, I bought my own with my own money—that’s how much I like them. (I’m apparently not alone.) The price is eye-watering, and the brand’s website feels kind of scammy with all the upselling and subscription-pushing, but the Grüns hype is warranted … as are the claims of increased regularity, in case you were wondering. I’ve found these bear-shaped gummies to be a welcome break from gritty, algae-sludge glasses of powders. They’re essentially a nutrient-packed fruit snack, with the texture of a dense, chewy gummy bear. Frankly, I look forward to eating them.
To avoid flavor fatigue, Grüns releases limited-edition collabs every season, like Granny Smith apple, Grinch-shaped gummies for the holidays, and Olipop soda. The new summer flavor for this year is Popsicle Firecracker, in a star shape, to celebrate America's 250th year.
Even more unfortunately for my wallet, Gruns now has Immün, an immunity-focused version, and Jüced, preworkout energy gummies with caffeine, betaine, carnitine, and rhodiola rosea. But it’s all worth it to me for a regimen my entire family can stick to. Note that most flavors come in low-sugar and sugar-free (sweetened with allulose and OnoSweet).
Each serving of regular Grüns contains eight bears, totaling at 50 calories, 15 grams of carbs, 6 grams of fiber, and 8 grams of sugar. The 60 ingredients range far and wide, from regular vitamins and minerals to greens (kale, cabbage, wheatgrass), adaptogens, and antioxidants like goji berry and pomegranate. —Kat Merck
BrickHouse Nutrition
BrickHouse Nutrition
Field of Greens powder from BrickHouse Nutrition has a pleasant taste, dissolves quickly, and comes in lots of flavors—my favorite is the fruity and tart Strawberry Lemonade. It has a chalky texture, but hardly any aftertaste. The base Field of Greens powder is made of entirely organic ingredients, including superstars like spirulina, wheatgrass, broccoli, blueberries, ginger, and banana, plus a vitamin and mineral blend. That means there are antioxidants and vitamins as well as the requisite fruits and veggies. It’s in the middle of the pack for fiber content of powders I tested, with 2 grams per serving.
If you want to take your greens a step further, you can check out the Insight Blend which contains organic Reishi, Chaga, and Turkey Tail mushrooms. Or if you need a boost, the Charged Blend has 95 milligrams of caffeine per serving. And finally, if you want a greens powder without the stevia, that's exactly what the Raw Blend gets you. I've been cycling between the fruity flavors and the Insight Blend, but I really like that this brand offers so many different options to meet various needs. I have noticed that I feel more steadily focused on the days that I drink this powder compared to the days that I go without—whether that's through the magic of mushrooms or something else, it's certainly not a detriment.
Sips Club (30-Pack)
The Watermelon Veggie Sips are straight-up delicious. This powder tastes like melon, with bubblegum and lemon notes. It's very lightly sour, but more like lemonade as opposed to Warheads. I also really liked the Pink Pineapple flavor, which tasted like a summer popsicle. Blackberry Breeze wasn't bad, either, with notes of lime that cut through the underlying sweet fruit. And I like that these come in stick format, with easy-open packaging that didn't make me feel the need to tear into them with my teeth.
This powder has fewer ingredients than most others I recommend. Stars of the show include broccoli, onion, tomato, carrot, spinach, kale, and brussels sprouts, plus apple cider vinegar and coconut water. There's a blend of postbiotics and digestive enzymes, as well as 20 grams of prune juice powder per serving. That means if you struggle with regular digestion, this powder can help. Combined with 2 grams of fiber per serving, I was surprised at how much this powder helped my digestive woes. My only complaint is that I wish I could drink this all the time rather than just once per day.
Amazon (30 packets)
A longtime staple at my exurban Costco, a bag of Zena Greens comes with 30 (or 45 at the big-box store) portable 0.4-ounce stick packets of powder. “I put it in smoothies!” the sample vendor told me the last time I walked by, which is really more of a warning than a suggestion, as I can confirm after drinking it for nearly four months that the texture is slightly gritty, with a taste and appearance strongly reminiscent of algae. (One Amazon reviewer described it as “‘I'm drinking a salad’ flavor.”)
This is to be expected, as organic spirulina powder is number five on the extensive list of ingredients, which also includes 5 grams of fiber—more than any of the powders we tested—plus 1 mg of iron, 29 mg of calcium, and 2 grams of protein. The flavor (I’ve only tried Mixed Berry) does little to mitigate the taste and texture, so this isn't exactly a “beginner” option for those trying powdered greens for the first time. However, it is a worthwhile step up from a more palatable powder like Bloom, as it has 70+ superfoods and probiotics in addition to the decent serving of fiber—many days I’ve gotten away with one packet as a breakfast. —Kat Merck
Athletic Greens
Athletic Greens
The most recent release from Athletic Greens is AG1 Pro, which adds a blend of Creavitalis creatine monohydrate, calcium HMB, and zinc carnosine to the AG1 Next Gen formula. These ingredients claim help to support the muscles, gut, brain, and digestive system. Just like the Next Gen powder, Pro is NSF Certified for Sport and has a pleasant pineapple and vanilla flavor. What I like most about this powder is that it helps me cut down on the amount of tinctures and scoops I add into my water bottle every morning; I'm already taking creatine and greens every day, so getting it in one scoop is nice. Next, I just need Athletic Greens to add protein and more dietary fiber, and perhaps I'll have finally found my one-scoop system.
Daily Elements is made of freeze-dried microgreens—that's it. The ingredients include the micro versions of broccoli, kale, peas, and red cabbage. All of the plants are grown in a controlled indoor environment, so they're clean and pesticide-free. The concept is simple: These microgreens are concentrated sources of nutrition, so you need to eat less of them to achieve the same nutritional intake as you would with their grown-up versions.
This powder stinks of broccoli and peas, and it doesn't taste like much outside of veggies. When diluted in a recipe or a giant smoothie or cup of water, though, the smell and taste really aren’t that noticeable. If you want simple greens with solid benefits, this powder is worth checking out.
Amazon (Canister)
Walmart (Travel Packs)
This is another greens-and-vitamins blend, from Nuzest, a New Zealand company. It tastes lightly sweet with only a hint of vegetal undertone—high praise from someone who was once so traumatized by a particularly algal greens powder they could only manage Grüns gummies for six months. Like most greens powders, it’s packed with superfoods, probiotics (8 billion CFU), and adaptogens. It’s also got a full lineup of vitamins and minerals—roughly the same contents as my Kirkland Signature Daily Multi tablets, but in some cases, significantly more of the ones you want (8 mg of vitamin B6 versus Kirkland’s 2 mg, for example, or 320 mg of potassium to Kirkland’s 80 mg). The only issue I had is that Nuzest tends to clump and sink more than other powders, possibly due to the sheer volume (75+) of included ingredients, so it will need a quick whisk with a hand blender and/or to be shaken in your cup periodically to avoid settling. (Note the powder must be refrigerated after opening.) —Kat Merck
Amazon (24 oz.)
BlenderBottle (28 oz.)
Powdered supplements can take a while to dissolve, but a shaker bottle helps speed things along. I’ve tried many bottles from BlenderBottle, and while they’re all great, the dishwasher-safe Strada Tritan is my favorite. It’s available in many color combinations—if you buy on BlenderBottle's website, you can choose the bottle color and the ball color—and it has handy measurement lines on the sides. The flip cap is easy to drink from, and it locks for extra leak protection. Press the button to flip the lid and take a sip, then close the lid and slide the switch to lock it. Easy-peasy.
The bottle doesn’t absorb any odors, even if you accidentally leave it in your gym bag for an undisclosed period of time, and the whisking balls (both the plastic Color model and the traditional Wire model) dissolve powder super-fast. The inner seal even has a little tab so you can pull it out and clean it separately. I’ve used this cup for greens, creatine, and protein powders, and it always mixes up my drinks in just a few seconds of shaking.
What Are Greens Powders?
Greens powders are a dietary supplement made from a blend of many ingredients, usually including fruits, vegetables, grasses, and other ingredients, like herbs, probiotics, prebiotics, or added vitamins. Every ingredient may have its own health benefits, including boosting gut health and improving energy levels. These powders can be an easy and quick way to pack in some extra nutrients.
What Are Some Common Ingredients in Greens Powders?
Greens powders have lots of buzzy-sounding marketing terms, like “superfoods.” Though vague-sounding, superfoods are typically considered to be nutrient-rich foods that are especially beneficial for health and well-being. But what benefits are you getting, exactly? Here are some of them, plus what some studies have said about each. (Just keep in mind that these ingredients aren't a cure-all for what ails you—or a replacement for a balanced diet.)
Algae: Spirulina and chlorella are two common forms of algae found in greens powders. Spirulina is high in protein, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, fatty acids, and antioxidants. Chlorella is high in vitamins, folate, and iron. Studies show that spirulina can help lower blood pressure and assist with treating hay fever, and chlorella could help manage blood sugar.
Grasses: Cereal grasses like wheatgrass and barley grass are high in vitamins and minerals that can be easily absorbed. More research is needed, but some studies have shown that wheatgrass could have anti-cancer properties and that barley may help manage cholesterol.
Leafy greens, fruits, and vegetables: Nutrient-dense greens like kale, spinach, and broccoli are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and fiber (though some greens powders don't have high dietary fiber content). The same is true for fruits and vegetables.
Prebiotics and probiotics: These beneficial beings can help aid digestion, boost your immune system, improve nutrient absorption, and reduce inflammation.
Mushrooms: Mushroom benefits run a wide gamut, but studies have shown that some may reduce the risk of cancer, and they can help encourage a healthy gut as well as boost your immune system.
Digestive enzymes: Many greens powders have digestive enzymes that can help break down and absorb nutrients. These can include lactase, amylase, protease, cellulase, and lipase.
How Does WIRED Test Greens Powders?
I drank each green powder at least three times (unless otherwise listed), first thing in the morning, on an empty stomach. I mixed the recommended serving size with 10 to 12 ounces of cold water (unless the instructions recommend otherwise). I tested one powder at a time before moving to the next, no sooner than a few days later. I don't eat anything for at least two hours after having my greens, and I pay careful attention to how I feel afterward in terms of digestion ease or gastrointestinal symptoms, baseline energy levels, my ability to focus, and any lingering flavors. I also frequently request that any of my nearby loved ones give the powders a try so they can give me their tasting notes and feedback, which I compare against my own to get a gut check. (Pun intended.)
What Are the Best Alternatives to Greens Powders?
Greens powders are all powdered forms of various nutrients, fruits, and vegetables. They can help fill in nutritional gaps, but you should also be eating a balanced diet full of fruits and veggies—these whole foods are the best alternatives to the powders. Make sure to check in with your doctor before starting any supplement.
What Do Experts Say About Greens Powders?
Shelley Balls, a registered dietitian nutritionist at Consumer Health Digest, says that while greens powders may be beneficial when used in addition to a healthy diet, they fail to provide your body with adequate dietary fiber, and they’re not a substitute for a poor eating pattern. She’d recommend spending your money on “whole foods that contain ample sources of dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals, over green powders.” She also says that if you like the convenience of greens powders, “you might find frozen, canned, and pre-washed/chopped options helpful to boost your veggie intake.”
Dawn Menning, a registered dietitian and program director for digital health with the Nutu app, agrees, citing that, as of 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) claimed only 12 percent and 10 percent of American adults met the dietary recommendations for fruits and vegetables, respectively. She adds that if you already eat a healthy variety of fruits and veggies, “you probably don’t need a green powder.”
One note to consider in the “pro” greens powders column: Per Trista Best, a registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements, “green powder supplements can be beneficial for vegetarians” because they can help fill nutritional gaps, especially regarding iron. She says, “Iron is one key nutrient that may be lacking in a vegetarian diet. While iron is found in a variety of plant-based foods, it is not as easily absorbed by the body as the iron found in meat.”
And when it comes to “super” ingredients, a word often emblazoned across the packaging of various greens powders, like spirulina or adaptogens, Balls says to exercise caution. She concedes there are some possible benefits of these additives, but there isn’t an abundance of research to support their use. Also, because some of the ingredients can interact with certain medications or trigger autoimmune disorders, it’s extra important to discuss taking a supplement with your doctor.
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