Athletic Greens Review
By CANDICE GREY ConsumersCompare.org Update: Jul 09, 2024 |
Athletic Greens started in 2009, is headquartered in Las Vegas, Nevada, and enjoys an A-plus rating with the Better Business Bureau—no reviews, but only one complaint since they opened their profile in 2011. Company Contact Information: Athletic Greens, PO Box 29502 #20782, Las Vegas, NV 89126. Phone: 1-888-390-4029, (702) 998-3337. [2]
They offer a 60-day money back guarantee with their products:
Products are provided with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. You may contact Athletic Greens (“Athletic Greens”) at support@athleticgreens.com within 60 days of the original order date for 100% refund of the product purchase price (excluding any shipping and handling charges) and obtain an RMA number and shipping instructions to return any unused product. [1]
The company has all-star celebrity athletes, authors, and entrepreneurs to back to their product—like Tim Ferriss, who wrote New York Times #1 seller The 4-Hour Body. He even recommends Athletic Greens in this book as well.
Athletic Greens Claims
The perfect diet doesn’t exist. So we invested 10 years in research to develop the highest efficacy, most complete, and genuinely convenient nutritional insurance there is. … This is more than a superfoods or greens product. This is the one whole food supplement that enhances what you’re doing right and fills in the gaps where you’re not. [3]
In just one scoop, Athletic Greens says your body will receive:
- Multivitamin
- Multimineral
- Antioxidant blend
- Support for blood sugar
- Green superfood blend
- Hormone support
- Neural Support
- Detox and Liver Support
- Digestive Enzyme Blend
- Prebiotics
- Probiotics [3]
You’ll be hard pressed to find another greens product that delivers the same benefits in a single serving. We give you better nutrient density per serving than any other product on the market. And when you consider that the Athletic Greens formula provides three times better absorption of nutrients than different methods, replacing your current supplement regimen with ONE comprehensive whole food supplement makes even more sense. [3]
As a natural, complete food supplement designed to boost your daily nutritional needs, Athletic Greens is proven to do more than replace and correct. In just 27 seconds a day, you get the antioxidant equivalent of 12 servings of vegetables, along with with improved alkalinity and digestive health, and immune system support. [4]
As always, they claim if you are worried about a health condition or allergy always consult your doctor before trying a new supplement out. The product is suitable for both vegetarians and vegans. With one scoop every morning, Athletic Greens is meant to help boost your energy, as well as give you vitamins and minerals your body otherwise might be lacking from your normal diet. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under 18 you should check with your doctor first to be safe.
back to menu ↑Athletic Greens’ Ingredients
There are over 75 different ingredients in this blend, and I will break them down as shown from their website in groups.
25 different Alkaline Complex ingredients:
Organic Spirulina, Lecithin (95% phosphatides), Organic Apple Powder, Inulin (FOS prebiotics), Organic Wheat Grass Juice Powder (leaf), Organic Alfalfa Powder (leaf), Organic Chlorella Powder, Organic barley leaf powder, Acerola cherry fruit juice powder extract (4:1), Broccoli Flower Powder, Carica Papaya Powder (fruit), Pineapple Fresh Fruit Concentrate (9:1), Bilberry Fresh Fruit Extract (100:1), Red Beet Root Powder (fruit), Rosehip (Rosa Canina) Fruit Powder (4:1), Carrot Root Powder, Spinach Leaf Powder, Cocoa bean polyphenol extract, Grapeseed Extract (120:1), Green Tea extract (leaf) (10:1), Licorice Root Powder, Wolfberry (Goji) Fruit Extract (4:1), Ginger Rhizome Powder, Slippery Elm (Ulmus Aruba) Bark Powder, Kelp Whole Plant Powder
17 different herb and antioxidant extracts:
Alkaline pea protein isolate, Citrus Bioflavonoids Extract, Globe Artichoke Leaf Extract (15:1), Citric acid (anhydrous), Rhodiola Rosea Root Dry Extract (15:1), Eleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract (10:1), Gotu Kola Extract (10:1), Milk Thistle Seed Extract (70:1), R,S Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Withania Somnifera (ashwagandha) Root Extract (5:1), Dandelion Root Extract (4:1), Hawthorn Root Extract (10:1), Beta Glucans, Policosanol, Co-enzyme (Q-10) (ubidecarenone), Stevia. 5 digestive enzymes: Astragalus Membranaceus Root Extract (4:1), Bromelain (dietary enzyme), Burdock Root Powder (4:1), Reishi Mushroom Powder, Shiitake Mushroom Powder 2 Non-Dairy Probiotics for optimal gut health: Lactobacillus Acidophilus (non-dairy) 3.6 Billion CFU, Bifidobacterium Bifidum (non-dairy) 3.6 Billion CFU
And 22 Vitamins and Minerals:
Vitamin A (as beta-carotene) 4000IU, Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 420mg, Vitamin E (as d-alpha tocopherol succinate) 100IU, Vitamin K2 (as menaquinone-7) 80mcg, Thiamin (Vitamin B1) (as thiamine hydrochloride) 2.8mg, Riboflavin (Vitamin B2) 2mg, Niacin (as nicotinic acid, nicotinamide) 20mg, Vitamin B6 (as pyridoxine hydrochloride) 3.2mg, Folate (5-MTHF) 400mcg, Methylcobalamin (Vitamin B12) 28mcg, Biotin 330mcg, Pantothenic acid (as calcium pantothenate) 3.5mg, Calcium (as calcium citrate, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate) 118mg, Phosphorous (as potassium phosphate, calcium phosphate) 57mg, Magnesium (as magnesium glycinate) 26mg, Zinc Citrate 15mg, Selenium (as selenomethionine) 24mcg, Copper (as copper gluconate) 195mcg, Manganese (as manganese amino acid chelate) 400mcg, Chromium (as chromium picolinate) 25mcg, Sodium 28mg, Potassium 300mg.
back to menu ↑The Science (or Lack Thereof) Behind Athletic Greens
Athletic Greens claims over 10 years of research done on their formula, but they give no insight into that research. They do provide a very informative ingredient list, but the actual traceable scientific evidence for the formula is lacking. That said, the powder is loaded with fruits, veggies, algae, and different grasses to make it an all-around health drink, so the science is simply in the ingredients.
There aren’t any wild weight loss claims; just overall health and wellness. Spirulina, broccoli, wheatgrass, alfalfa, and carrots are listed in the ingredients, and they are nothing but healthy! In a recent study done on Spirulina, researchers found it can help boost immune support, protect against allergic reactions, supplement protein, fight infection, and guard against oral cancer.
According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, Spirulina is a type of blue-green algae that is rich in protein, vitamins, minerals, carotenoids, and antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage. It contains nutrients, including B complex vitamins, beta-carotene, vitamin E, manganese, zinc, copper, iron, selenium, and gamma linolenic acid (an essential fatty acid).” [5]
This is just one of the incredible ingredients in Athletic Greens, so you can imagine the health benefits when looking into a product such as this. But your body doesn’t always adjust to sudden changes, even really healthy ones. So it’s best to start slowly, to allow your digestive system to adjust to the change.
back to menu ↑Word On The Street About Athletic Greens
Paying customers don’t lie—particularly on Amazon.com, I’ve found—and Athletic Greens has a lot of customers talking. Over fourteen hundred reviews rated Athletic Greens 4.3 out of 5 stars, with a full 94 percent giving it 4 stars or better. [6]
The only sore spot for some people was the high cost of the product, but even then, most of them understood why the cost point has to be so high. The general consensus was that the product tasted great despite being “green.” A few people did not like the taste at all, but that’s expected when reviewing a food product. You’re never going to please absolutely everybody.
“M.F.” (2017, 3 stars) was one who didn’t care for the taste: I can’t say whether or not I feel a vast improvement in my health (as I am only on day 2), but I can say that I can barely drink it in the morning because it tastes awful. I was expecting it to taste like grass or earthy like other green powders, but instead, it is a disgusting bile/tropical flavor that I try to cover up with unsweetened cocoa powder, almond butter, & fruit in a smoothie but I’m still finding it hard to finish.
I read a bunch of reviews that named this green powder the “best tasting” so I feel lied to 🙁 Does anyone know of anything that can mask the flavor? It was a lot of money & seems healthy, so I want to finish it at least… [9]
There were a couple of replies with suggestions of what to mix it with, but all those who didn’t care for the taste mentioned too-sweet and bubble-gummy flavor. NOTE: One customer said he found a sticker on his second bag regarding birth defects and California’s Prop 65. When he asked about this issue, the company simply said if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is best to clear it with your doctor first.
They went onto say that their product meets all safety standards and that this prop 65 is posted nearly everywhere in the state of California. I think the culprit for that is the ashwagandha. I can’t find it now, but I reviewed a previous product where Prop 65 came up, and I’m almost sure it was for Ashwagandha. WebMD does say, Do not use ashwagandha if you are pregnant.
It is rated LIKELY UNSAFE during pregnancy. There is some evidence that ashwagandha might cause miscarriages. Not enough is known about the use of ashwagandha during breastfeeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. [10]
back to menu ↑The Bottom Line: Is Athletic Greens Worth A Try?
Yes. Athletic Greens received very high ratings from its customer base, and if you have cleared it with your doctor first it is worth a shot at least for one month! It might not be affordable month-over-month, however. Even with the lack of specifics on their research, the bright and extensive ingredient list was helpful. It’s widely available, which inspires honest review and more confidence that they’re not scamming you.
Again, be aware that sudden substantial changes to your diet—like a significant influx of healthy veggies and herbs—can shock your digestive system and lead to bloating or diarrhea for a little while. But if you need more vegetables and nutrients in your diet and can stomach a “green drink” every morning, Athletic Greens might be worth a shot for you.