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Athletic Greens: AG1 Greens and its Ingredients

Athletic Greens: AG1 Greens and its Ingredients

6th Sep 2024

Is AG1 Greens Worth It? + Alternatives

AG1 (previously known as Athletic Greens) is a powdered nutrition supplement created in 2010, with 52 updates since to improve its formula.

You might have heard of it since it’s been advertised all over social media, with big personalities like Joe Rogan and Andrew Huberman promoting it.

This AG1 supplement definitely has its benefits as it can be mixed with cold water, smoothies or juice, and provides you with a wide range of nutrients, including pre and probiotics, so it fits a variety of dietary needs. It is NSF Certified for Sport, too, so it’s made with high-quality standards.

If you’ve been after AG1 reviews, hopefully, this post can help, as well as give you some AG1 alternatives if you don’t want to pay the hefty price.

Jump there now:

AG1 Ingredients

AG1 states that each 12g scoop (one serving) includes 75 vitamins, minerals and nutrients, including:

  • 6g carbohydrate
  • 45mg sodium
  • 2g fibre
  • <1g total sugars
  • 2g protein
  • 555mcg RAE vitamin A (62% DV)
  • 420mg vitamin C (467% DV)
  • 83mg vitamin E (553% DV)
  • 3mg thiamine (250% DV)
  • 2mg riboflavin (154% DV)
  • 20mg NE niacin (125% DV)
  • 3mg vitamin B6 (176% DV)
  • 680mcg DFE folate (170%)
  • 22mcg vitamin B12 (917%)
  • 330mcg biotin (1100% DV)
  • 4mg pantothenic acid (80% DV)
  • 118mg calcium (9% DV)
  • 130mg phosphorous (10% DV)
  • 26mg magnesium (6% DV)
  • 300mg potassium (6% DV)
  • 15mg zinc (136% DV)
  • 20mcg selenium (36% DV)
  • 195mcg copper (22% DV)
  • 400mc manganese (17% DV)
  • 25mcg chromium (71% DV)

From these ingredients, AG1 greens powder has many benefits:

  • Helps you feel more energetic: contains all eight B vitamins, which help with energy production, as well as wheatgrass, although there’s not enough evidence around wheatgrass as an energy booster.
  • Helps your gut health: contains prebiotics and probiotics, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, which helps you maintain a healthy gut balance.
  • Might be able to replace your daily multivitamin: contains more than 100% of many vitamins and is a good source for many others, although it doesn’t have iron or vitamin D. It also doesn’t contain any fibre.

The thing is, it’s quite expensive (it’s US$99 for 30 days or US$79 per month with a subscription. It comes to US$2.48 per serving for the double subscription) and lacks vitamin D and iron, which some people are particularly looking for. It also contains soy, so is not suitable for everyone.

What’s more, like many greens powders, AG1 includes four proprietary blends but doesn’t mention how much per serving of each ingredient in these blends it contains.

So, while many of the ingredients in these blends do have some research surrounding their benefits, you simply don’t know if they’re at the quantities required to actually receive those benefits.

The company also doesn’t provide any research to confirm AG1’s safety or effectiveness, besides one study by employees of the company showing that a large amount of AG1 might cause positive shifts in the gut microbiome. They also mention one other study on their website showing that 35 participants had less bloating and felt more energetic, but this study is too small and there was no control group.

Here's our overall review of AG1:

AG1 Greens Review

  • Ordering: The AG1 website is easy to use. When you order for the first time, you get a 30-day supply, five travel packs, a shaker, scoop and canister. You can change or cancel your subscription at any time, and there’s also a 90-day money-back guarantee.
  • Taste and Texture: AG1 has an earthy, slightly sweet taste. It’s better with 12 ounces of liquid instead of 8 and pairs well with coconut water. Whether you like the taste differs from person to person.
  • Quality: AG1 has high standards, testing each batch for over 950 contaminants. It’s NSF Certified for Sport, meaning it’s safe, pure and matches the label. The product is free from artificial additives and GMOs and fits various diets, although it does contain soy.
  • Results: Results may vary depending on individual health and lifestyle, but people have noted improved digestion, energy and focus, while others people have commented on not seeing much change. People taking a multivitamin and probiotics would most likely experience the same results.
  • Benefits: AG1 can replace a multivitamin, probiotic and other supplements, making it a convenient once-a-day option. It includes a good amount of folate, important for women of reproductive age, and the travel packs are easy to use without needing refrigeration.
  • Downsides: AG1 shouldn’t replace whole foods or a balanced diet, as real food offers fibre and water that supplements lack. Some nutrients in AG1 exceed daily recommended values, which is usually safe for water-soluble vitamins but can be risky for fat-soluble ones like vitamins A and E. Also, AG1 lacks vitamin D and iron, so you might need additional supplements. Check with your doctor to ensure AG1 doesn’t interact with any medications or other supplements you’re taking.
  • Best For: AG1 is ideal for those who struggle to eat enough fruits and vegetables or have trouble meeting nutrient needs through diet alone. It may also help people with malabsorption issues, but it’s not recommended for children, pregnant or nursing women, or those with kidney disease due to its potassium and phosphorus content.

While a balanced diet is best, AG1 is a pretty good choice for filling nutritional gaps with quality and taste. It can replace a multivitamin, probiotic and other supplements, but it’s quite expensive.

Due to its price, are there any alternative brands? Let’s go over them!

What Is an AG1 Alternative?

Primal Harvest Primal Greens

  • Why is it great? Made in a GMP-certified facility, is egg, gluten, soy, dairy and gelatine-free. It’s unflavoured (which has pros and cons). It contains 3.5 billion CFUs of probiotics.
  • Why is it not great? It’s not third-party tested. Doesn’t list the amounts of ingredients in its proprietary blends. Contains more than 100 ingredients (this is both good and bad, just make sure to have a read-through to see if any will interact with any medications you’re taking).
  • What should it do? Should help with immune health and digestion and may provide some energy.
  • Price: US$1.33 for 30 days.

Amazing Grass Greens Blend

  • Why is it great? Gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan and contains digestive enzymes, probiotics and fibre.
  • Why is it not great? Mixed reviews for taste and it really needs to be mixed well otherwise it has a gritty texture. Not third-party tested and contains propriety blends that have no amounts of ingredients listed.
  • What should it do? Should help digestion and immunity, as well as provide some nutrition due to the greens, fruits and vegetables.
  • Price: US$1.33 for 30 days or US$1 for 100 days.

Nested Naturals Super Greens

  • Why is it great? Made with organic ingredients, uses 5 digestive enzymes, has no fillers or additives, and is gluten, dairy, soy and nut-free, while also being vegan. It’s made in a GMP-certified facility and is third-party tested. It also contains 2g of fibre.
  • Why is it not great? Has a lower dosage of probiotics (1.67 CFUs) and may contain caffeine (some people want this). It also may clump slightly and settle after mixing.
  • What should it do? Should help your gut health, digestion and bloating, as well as post your nutrition.
  • Price: US$1.07 for 30 days.

Vibrant Health Green Vibrance

  • Why is it great? Has 25 billion CF probiotics and 6 digestive enzymes, is made in a GMP-certified facility and is third-party tested, has no additives or artificial sweeteners and is gluten, dairy, soy and nut-free and vegan.
  • Why is it not great? It’s not fully organic and its vitamins and nutrients are added synthetically.
  • What should it do? Should help with digestion, immunity, circulation and added nutrition.
  • Price: US$1.78 for 60 days

Live It Up Super Greens

  • Why is it great? Contains natural ingredients with 5 billion CFU probiotics, 3 digestive enzymes, is gluten, dairy, soy, nut and caffeine-free, and is vegan.It’s easy to blend and has no additives and is also made in a GMP-certified facility and third-party tested.
  • Why is it not great? It’s a bit messy to use due to how fine it is and it’s only available from their website.
  • What should it do? Should help with bloating and has at least 22 vitamins and minerals from the natural ingredients, rather than being synthetically added, and also contains 3 grams of fibre.
  • Price: US$2 for 60 days

End Note

Is AG1 worth it?

For many of us, our diets lack fruits and vegetables, so taking a daily multivitamin, in any form, is recommended. Just know that it’s not a replacement for a balanced diet full of fruits and vegetables.

If you’re lacking certain nutrient deficiencies, then AG1 can help, especially if you’re into fitness as you can add it to your protein shake or simply mix it up as part of your breakfast.

It’s expensive though, and, as we’ve reviewed, there are better and cheaper alternatives currently on the market.

Interested in some other longevity supplements on the market? Check out Xandro’s Longevity Plus bundle, combining Pure NMN Capsules and Trans-Resveratrol for antioxidant support and cellular health.