Written by Garett Reid | NSCA, CSCS, CISSN, M.S.E.S.S
Fact checked by MEGHAN NOVOSHIELSKI, MSN, RDN
FACT CHECKED
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Athletic Greens, aka AG1, is one of the hottest supplements on the market, with its fancy advertising and all. It's marketed as a one-stop shop for all the nutrients you need. Stuff like vitamins and minerals, probiotics, antioxidants, prebiotics, adaptogens, and the list goes on.
The green powder ingredient list is pretty intense (we'll go over it in-depth below) and is very attractive, especially for us who would rather down a drink and not have to worry if we ate the right combination of fruits and veggies for the day.
However, with such an extensive list, Athletic Greens is definitely not the cheapest. That begs the question, is worth it? You also might be wondering, does it taste like lawn clippings?
We have the answers. This entirely honest Athletic Greens Review will cover everything you need to know about this super green supplement.
Table of Contents:
- What's Athletic Greens?
- What's in it?
- What does it taste like?
- Pros and cons of AG1
- Is Athletic Greens worth the price?
- FAQs (all the questions you have about Athletic Greens)
What is Athletic Greens?
We know that talking about nutrition can be tedious, but it's a vital part of your fitness journey. We're sure you knew that too. Talking about creatine and beta-alanine is fun and exciting (kinda), but vitamins and minerals and all that other stuff just don't have that same intrigue.
While good nutrition advice would be to eat your daily source of vegetables and fruits, the truth is the guys you see talk about that rarely do. Not saying it doesn't happen, but few people actually eat that plate of spinach and baby tomatoes with a filet of white fish every day. To be clear, we are not knocking this at all; we're just saying it's not as easy and realistic as some influencers would have you believe.
And this is where Athletic Greens, also known as AG1, comes in. Athletic Greens is marketed as the only nutritional greens in powder form that you need to cover your basis for vitamins and minerals. However, there are a lot of greens powders that do that. Therefore, Athletic Greens adds in probiotics, adaptogens, and other superfoods, making it the superior product (maybe, we'll see).
While it's called Athletic Greens, it states it's actually for everyone and uses some word soup to explain how life is like a sport. Or something. Could have just called it "Life Greens," but that's really neither here nor there.
Regardless, the cool thing about Athletic Greens is it was created by Chris Ashenden way back in 2010 in New Zealand to help solve some gut health and digestive issues he was battling.
The mission of the brand is to empower people to take ownership of their health. This brand has a strong reputation and has been endorsed by professional athletes and health experts for its benefits.
Since then, it has been developed for over a decade to formulate what is claimed to be the perfect blend of vitamins and minerals. We like this as it shows there has been a lot of money and heart thrown into this product.
Also, while the brand makes a few other smaller supplements, they primarily focus on their superfood product which they call AG1. To be clear, that would be like Coca-Cola only perfecting Coca-Cola instead of releasing 50 different versions of their diet Coke. Again, this says a lot and is definitely impressive (at least to us). Athletic Greens has become the most popular greens powders in recent years. It's essentially the Coca-Cola of super green powder supplements.
Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily is an all-in-one health drink with 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients to help support your...
What is in Athletic Greens?
A lot. To give you an idea, AG1 contains:
- 16 Vitamins
- 12 Minerals
- 19 Whole Food Nutrients
- 3 Probiotics
- 22 Adaptogens
So yea. As we said, there's a ton of stuff in here that should result in some serious health benefits.
As far as dosing, the majority of the vitamins and minerals are well above the 100% Daily Value of most of the vitamins and minerals.
However, looking over the vitamins real quick, we were surprised that they chose only to include 6% magnesium.
Being "Athletic Greens," magnesium is a bit of an odd mineral to leave out as it's involved in over 600 enzymatic reactions, and athletes are known to be magnesium deficient, especially endurance athletes. Further, studies have shown that adequate intake of magnesium is needed for optimal sports performance.1
To be clear, just about every vitamin or mineral plays a vital role in human performance. And while AG1 can't have everything (well, they kind of can if they wanted), it was just a bit surprising.
Overall, AG1 has a wider range of ingredients than most other greens powders.
AG1 Ingredients:
While the vitamins and minerals are great, there are a ton of vitamin and mineral pills to take if you want their health benefits. There are plenty of greens powders on the market, making it difficult to choose the best one.
Therefore, we want to look at what we think sets the nutrient-dense, Athletic Greens apart, which is its addition of various potent compounds.
1. Probiotics
One of the benefits of Athletic Greens is to improve your gut health. Probiotics are often confused with digestive enzymes because they both support the digestive process. However, the major difference is that probiotics are living microorganisms whereas digestive enzymes are molecules.
Probiotics are the term given to a large number of different microorganisms, which are individually known as strands. Each strand plays a slightly different role; however, the primary claimed benefit is that these probiotics help improve the gut flora. By doing so, your body is able to digest foods better, providing better nutrients to the body. Depending on the strand, this improvement in your gut health can offer various benefits.
Drinking Athletics Greens should help those with digestive health issues but everyone's experience will vary.
Athletic Greens carries three different probiotics:
- Bifidobacterium Bifidum
- Inulin
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
Athletic Greens also includes digestive enzymes like bromelain and papain to help break down the food you eat. It also contains ginger root extract to help soothe digestive issues.
2. Superfoods
In addition to the probiotics, Athletic Greens also offers a massive list of raw superfood complex. Generally speaking, AG1 has a more varied inclusion of superfoods compared, which is why it is considered one of the best greens powders available.
Just to give you an example, some of the superfoods included are:
- Acerola cherries: These are also called Barbados cherries and sometimes called West Indian cherries. They have up to 50-100 times more vitamin C compared with lemons or oranges.
- Bioflavonoids: These antioxidants are found in foods such as black currants, rose hips, and green citrus fruits.
- Cocoa Bean w. Cocoa Flavanols: These bioactive compounds may help to improve blood flow, and fend off cell damage.
- Spinach: Rich in vitamin E and magnesium, this green vegetable helps to support immune health.
- Spirulina: This blue-green alga that grows in water is a powerful antioxidant with anti-inflammatory properties.
We won't break down every single one, as there are just too many, but they collectively bring a whole host of various nutrients and compounds. A "superfood" is basically a food that carries a bunch of nutritional value in the form of vitamins, minerals, polyphenols, antioxidants, and any other compound that results in health benefits.
They claim that one serving of Athletic Greens gives you the same amount as 12 servings of green vegetables.
3. Adaptogens
Another variety of ingredients included is known as adaptogens. An adaptogen is a food usually used for medicinal purposes that are said to help the body adapt to stress and normalize physiological processes. In other words, they allow you to "adapt" to stressful situations.
- Milk Thistle Seed Extract: This flowering herb is may help support healthy liver and galbladder functioning. It's thought that the antioxidant in milk thistle, called silymarin is the reason for the potential health benefits.
- Reishi Mushroom: This mushroom has been used in traditional Eastern medicine for centuries. It's thought that the molecules including peptidoglycans, polysaccharides, and triterpenoids provide benefits such as supporting a healthy immune system. It also might have anti-cancer benefits and help battle fatigue and depression.
- Kelp: This is a type of seaweed that provides much-needed vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. It's a great source of iodine and may help to enhance energy production and support cognitive function.
- Policosanol: This is a mixture of alcohols that are derived from Cuban sugar cane wax. It contains octacosanol which may help lower cholesterol.
- Chlorella: This is a nutrient-dense freshwater algae that might help with cleansing the body of toxins while improving cholesterol levels.
- Green Tea Extract: From Camellia sinensis (tea-plant), green tea extract is a true adaptogen, befitted by extensive research on its composition and regulatory actions in total body health.
- Ashwaganda: An Ayurvedic adaptogen, it is recognized for its notable influence on stress, potentially leading to favorable outcomes in this regard. It may aid in the restoration of a balanced lifestyle by reducing stress and guarding against the development of various serious health conditions.
Others include: citric acid, dandelion root, eleuthero root, ginger, grapeseed extract, rhodiola rosea, rosemary, shiitake mushroom (in a super mushroom complex), astragalus, citrus bioflavonoids extract, burdock powder, organic apple powder, inulin, beetroot powder, organic alfalfa powder, and organic spirulina.
Similar to the superfoods, there are way too many to give a complete overview of each one (we'd be here for days), but the most popular one is probably ashwagandha. Ashwagandha has become quite popular in the West recently and is famous for its ability to reduce stress.
This is important to keep in mind as AG1 is much more than just a "multivitamin," as some health claim. With the addition of these adaptogens, along with the probiotics, antioxidants, and everything else, Athletic Greens really is built to improve health from multiple angles. The addition of a wide range of natural elements helps to set it apart from other greens powders on the market today.
How Much Does Athletic Greens Cost?
Cost always plays a factor in everything we purchase, including healthy greens powders. It doesn't matter how much we want something if it's out of our budget.
So you might find yourself asking "is Athletic Greens worth it?"
Athletic Greens has quite a few different options when purchasing. One group of deals are their pouches with 30 servings, with the other group consisting of travel packs with individualized bags.
Option A: 30 Serving Pouches Of Athletic Greens
- One Time Purchase- 30 servings $99 ($3.30/serving)
- Single Subscription* - 30 servings $79 ($2.63/serving)
- Double Subscription*- 60 servings $149 ($2.48/serving)
* Includes: Premium Jar, Shaker, 5 Free Travel Packs
Option B: Athletic Greens Travel Packs
- One Time Purchase- 30 servings $109 ($3.63/serving)
- Single Subscription*- 30 servings $89 ($2.97/serving)
- Double Subscription*- 60 servings $169 ($2.82/serving)
* Includes: Premium Jar, Shaker, 5 Free Travel Packs
Overall AG1 is a bit pricier than other greens powders but after over 10 years of perfecting the formula, it's not a bad deal by any means.
Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily is an all-in-one health drink with 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients to help support your...
What Does Athletic Greens Taste Like?
A big question with a greens powder supplement you need to take every day is how it tastes. While we can't say for sure, surprisingly, most of the reviews we saw claim they actually like the taste of Athletic Greens. On the other hand, some say the greens powder tastes like you went outside and stuffed a bunch of grass in your mouth.
Although taste is subjective, we can tell you that most people are wildly exaggerating when it comes to how awful some say it tastes. Put it this way we've had much worse greens powders and this would rank in the top 5 that we've tasted.
It's ironic that people who want organic and natural food then expect to have a drink that tastes like it was made at Starbucks with a couple of extra pumps of syrup.
The most seemingly unbiased reviews say it tastes like grass, but it's not bitter; if you have an unpleasant mental connection with grass, get over that, and you'll be okay.
In our opinion, not everything needs to taste amazing, and the benefits likely far outweigh any issues with the taste. Also, keep in mind that we're not sure how you could give it a fantastic flavor without using something unhealthy. Overall during our review of Athletic Greens we'd say it tastes better than other greens powders we've tried in the past.
What people say about AG1's taste:
While we tried it and thought it taste pretty good, we thought we'd share some feedback from others who tried Athletic Greens.
The following quotes are taken from Andrew Huberman's subreddit:
- "It's kinda sweet and herbaceous. I think it tastes pretty good but it's a little gritty, especially when you get to the bottom of the glass/shaker."
- "Mostly awful with subtle notes of "I got suckered into buying this over real vegetables?"
- "I think it’s amazing"
- "I take it daily. It doesn't taste bad, but it also doesn't taste good."
- "Probably one of the best tasting greens powders to be honest with you."
- "Very mildly fruity and a bit grainy. Tastes best with a full 12oz of chilled water in my opinion, but it certainly doesn’t taste amazing, but not bad either."
Cons of AG1
No product is perfect, and Athletic Greens is no exception. For us, we have two main "issues" with Athletic Greens. You wanted an honest review; that's what you're going to get.
a) Abundance Of Ingredients
You might first wonder why containing so many great ingredients is a bad thing for Athletic Greens. Well, that's because one serving only contains 12g. With so many elements, we question if there is enough of each one to provide the supposed benefits. Remember, when taking any supplement, there is almost always a threshold you must reach to receive a measurable benefit.
To be fair, most of the Athletic Greens ingredients are in the form of extracts. On the ingredient list, they have a ratio next to them which we assume stands for their strength. For example, hawthorn berry extract has (10:1) next to it, which we would guess means 1 gram equals 10 grams.
However, the ingredients are all listed in proprietary blends, so the exact amount of each ingredient is unknown. Therefore, it seems impossible to honestly know how much of each food you're actually getting in each serving of Athletic Greens.
b) High Costs
AG1 is undoubtedly not the cheapest super greens powder drink. In fact, it's likely the most expensive. We're not saying it's not worth it; we're just saying you shouldn't be buying Athletic Greens unless you're comfortable monetarily.
At the same time, it's hard to put a cost on health. That can sound cliche, but it's very accurate. Taking care of your body and decreasing illness and sickness can save you money. For example, one Athletic Greens review said that when they started using it, they went the entire year without getting a cold.
Now, let's say that means you saved two days from missing work. The money earned on those days you didn't miss would quickly drive the cost down considerably (obviously depending on how much you make).
At the same time, if you're in a better mood and have more energy to spend with the family (again, as many reviews state), it could very well make it worth it.
Is Athletic Greens Worth It?
When it comes to super greens, Athletic Greens does stand out amongst the others. Perhaps it's due to the marketing, but it has a strong following with plenty of very positive reviews.
Plus, it does contain a ton of unique ingredients that aren't found in other greens powders such as ashwagandha. The problem would be that we can't tell you how much ashwagandha it has in it due to its proprietary blends.
Therefore, we are relying on the backing of some of Athletic Greens more famous backers, such as Tim Ferriss, in the effectiveness of the project and the honesty of the company.
If you are looking for a greens powder superfood and have the money, Athletic Greens is definitely a good place to start. It is very likely to be the most packed and well-rounded superfood on the market. Even on some reviews which complained about the money, they did admit they felt better.
That being said, we would recommend getting the Athletic Greens subscription to save a good chunk of change. You can set up the frequency so you could even get the double pack delivered every 60 days to save the most money.
Further, you can cancel anytime and have a 60-day money-back guarantee. With all that in mind, if you are thinking about trying Athletic Greens, it is likely worth a test. We hope this Athletic Greens review helped to cut through all the noise surrounding this super popular greens powder.
Last but not least, always consult a medical professional before beginning any new supplementation if you have concerns.
Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily is an all-in-one health drink with 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients to help support your...
Athletic Greens FAQs:
To wrap up this AG1 Review, let's go over some of the most frequently asked questions about AG1, as we are sure you still have some unanswered questions...
Does Athletic Greens Work?
AG1 is designed as an all-in-one supplement to help your diet meet appropriate levels of various nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Its effectiveness may vary depending on individual needs and lifestyle factors. If you are deficient due to a lack of variety in your meals then it will certainly work to help you meet your dietary and nutrient needs.
Is Athletic Greens Good For You?
AG1 is a green powder that contains more than just vegetables or a vitamin and mineral potent blend in one scoop. The main point of taking this greens powder is to help support gut health and aid in digestion, bolster your immune health, help with recovery from exercise and increase energy production. So, yes, it is good for you because it has ingredients that support health.
Are Green Powders A Waste Of Money?
Green powders can provide a simple efficient solution for boosting your body's healthy functioning. This type of convenient daily nutrition supplement can provide many health benefits but we would never recommend taking nutritional supplements in place of eating a healthy diet. If you have the discretionary budget to spend a few dollars a day on a Starbucks coffee then nutrient-dense greens powders are worth it. They can help fill your nutritional gaps.
Why is Athletic Greens so expensive?
The cost of AG1 is influenced by factors such as the high-quality ingredients, rigorous testing, manufacturing standards, and the extensive formulation process involved in creating the product.
How does Athletic Greens subscription work?
The Athletic Greens subscription refers to a recurring service offered by Athletic Greens where customers can sign up to receive regular shipments of the Athletic Greens supplement. By subscribing, customers can ensure they have a consistent supply of Athletic Greens delivered to their doorstep at a frequency of their choosing, such as monthly or quarterly. Subscriptions often come with benefits such as discounted pricing, exclusive offers, and the convenience of automatic delivery.
How to cancel Athletic Greens subscription?
To cancel your Athletic Greens subscription, you typically need to follow the instructions provided by the company. These instructions can usually be found on their website or by contacting their customer support.
How to make Athletic Greens taste better?
You can enhance the taste of Athletic Greens by mixing it with cold water or adding it to smoothies or other beverages. Experimenting with different recipes and combinations can help improve the taste to suit your preferences.
Is Athletic Greens FDA Approved？
No, the FDA doesn't approve dietary supplements which is what this is classified as. Athletic Greens however is produced in a TGA-registered, GMP, and NSF Registered facility. When dietary supplements are NSF registered you can rest assured that the product is devoid of potentially harmful substances.
Is There Protein In Athletic Greens?
Yes, in each serving of Athletic greens you'll get 2 grams of protein. They use alkaline pea protein isolate which is a high quality very complete protein. That said, no one buys greens powders for their protein content. That's what protein powders are for.
Does Athletic Greens have Vitamin D?
Yes, Athletic Greens contains Vitamin D, which is an essential nutrient for various bodily functions, including bone health, immune system support, and calcium nutrient absorption.
Does Athletic Greens have Magnesium?
Yes, AG1 includes Magnesium, an important mineral involved in numerous bodily processes, such as muscle function, energy production, and bone health.
Does Athletic Greens have Omega-3?
AG1 does not contain significant amounts of Omega-3 fatty acids. It primarily focuses on providing a wide range of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and other nutrients.
Does Athletic Greens have caffeine?
Yes, AG1 contains some caffeine as it has green tea extract. It's hard to find an exact amount of green tea extract, as it isn't listed, but they say there is not much so only minimal traces of caffeine would be found.
Does Athletic Greens have collagen?
No, AG1 does not contain collagen. It primarily focuses on providing a comprehensive blend of vitamins, minerals, and other beneficial nutrients.
Does Athletic Greens have fiber?
Yes, AG! contains fiber, which can help support digestive health and regularity.
Is Athletic Greens gluten-free?
Yes, AG1 is typically formulated to be gluten-free, making it suitable for individuals with gluten sensitivity or celiac disease.
Is Athletic Greens Dairy Free?
Yes, AG1 has no dairy. It is a low allergen and low sugar supergreen. No dairy, no lactose, no sucralose, no dextrose, no eggs, no gluten, no corn, no peanuts, and no animal byproducts.
How much ashwagandha is in AG1?
AG1 offers a serving size of approximately 83 mg of ashwagandha, which is 500% of the recommended daily value (note: Ashwagandha has most often been used by adults in doses up to 1000 mg daily, for up to 12 weeks, mainly in effort to boost testosterone and vitality via reduced stress).
Is AG1 a probiotic?
AG1 includes prebiotics, which support the growth and activity of beneficial gut bacteria. However, it does not contain live probiotic organisms. If you want probiotics, check out our list of the best probiotics for men and women.
Does Athletic Greens replace a multivitamin?
Athletic Greens is designed to provide a broad spectrum of nutrients. While it can be a valuable addition to your diet, it is not a replacement for a balanced and varied diet or a substitute for a multivitamin tailored to your specific needs. That's why you'll find in SET FOR SET's blog many different variations of the "best multivitamins" such as for 'men over 50', 'for vegans', 'for women' etc.
Can Athletic Greens replace vegetables?
While Athletic Greens provides a concentrated blend of nutrients, it is not intended to replace the benefits of consuming whole vegetables. Whole foods offer a variety of phytochemicals and other compounds that may not be present in Athletic Greens. Nevertheless, many people use it for that purpose.
Can you take Athletic Greens while pregnant?
It is recommended to consult with your healthcare provider or a qualified professional before taking any supplements, including Athletic Greens, during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
How many calories in Athletic Greens?
AG1 typically contains around 50 calories per serving, but the calorie content may vary slightly depending on the specific formulation.
Will Athletic Greens break a fast?
Athletic Greens contains calories, so consuming it during a fasted state would technically break the fast. However, some individuals still include it in their fasting routine due to its nutritional benefits.
Do Athletic Greens expire?
Yes, AG1 has an expiration date. The specific expiration date can be found on the packaging or container, and it's important to consume it before that date for optimal quality and efficacy.
Do Athletic Greens need to be refrigerated?
AG1 is typically shelf-stable and does not require refrigeration. However, it's important to store it in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, as specified by the manufacturer.
How long does Athletic Greens last?
The shelf life of Athletic Greens can vary depending on the specific product and formulation. It is best to refer to the expiration date printed on the packaging to determine its freshness and suitability for consumption. That said, AG1 is said to last up to 2 years if unopened and up to a year after opening when stored correctly.
Does Athletic Greens Cause Weight Gain?
No, this product only has 50 calories per serving and is mixed with water before consumption. In no way should this greens powder cause you to put on weight if taken properly.
When Should I Take Athletic Greens?
It is recommended that you consume it on an empty stomach in the morning upon waking up. Simply mix the green powder with cold water then drink it.
Where Can I buy Athletic Greens?
AG1 is available directly from their website or you can buy it on Amazon.
Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily is an all-in-one health drink with 75 vitamins, minerals, and whole food-sourced ingredients to help support your...
Garett Reid
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