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Best greens powders of 2024
This content should not be considered medical advice. The information provided is not meant to diagnose or treat any health conditions. Consult with your doctor before beginning a new exercise routine or taking any new supplements.
While most of us have been alerted to the importance of eating our fruits and vegetables, few of us are actually following this foundational nutrition advice. The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends 1.5-2 cups of fruits and 2-3 cups of vegetables daily, but according to the most recent data available, only 12.3% of adults are eating the recommended amount of fruit, while only 10% are meeting vegetable intake recommendations. The best greens powders offer a potential solution to help fill in this nutritional gap.
While a good greens supplement may give you a nutritional boost of antioxidants, some micronutrients and fibers, it’s important to remember that you can’t compare a greens powder supplement to a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and other plant foods – it’s a supplement, not a replacement.
We’ve researched a number of greens powders to find the best greens powder supplements on the market. Keep reading to learn whether you could benefit from including a greens powder in your supplement routine and what one is the best fit for you!
Greens powders overview
Greens powder supplements contain one or many “greens”, like spinach, kale, broccoli, and seaweeds among others, but may also include a variety of other fruits, herbs, prebiotic fibers, probiotics and botanicals you may not be getting in your day to day diet.
Greens powders can be a convenient way to get extra nutrients into your diet, especially if you’re a bit of a picky eater, have a limited diet or are traveling or outside of your normal eating patterns. While most greens powder supplements are safe for most healthy adults, you’ll want to be cautious and consult with your medical care provider if you have any medical conditions, have a sensitive stomach or take any medications, as some nutrients and ingredients in greens powders could interact with medications or aggravate current medical conditions.
Like any supplement, greens powders are not regulated by the FDA, which makes it incredibly important that you use a supplement from a trusted and reputable brand. All brands included in our list have been on the market for several years and have a reputation for being a high-quality product.
How we chose the best greens powders
To choose the best greens powders, we researched over a dozen brands on the market and considered the quality standards, type of ingredients as well as flavor and consistency. As a registered dietitian, I have researched and tried a variety of greens powders and have written extensively on the topic.
- Quality standards: Considers if the brand has third-party certifications, prioritizes organic or sustainably sourced ingredients and uses certified and safe manufacturing processes.
- Ingredients used: Considers if the greens supplement uses high-quality ingredients as well as other beneficial additions like prebiotics, probiotics, adaptogens, botanicals or amino acids that align with the advertised use.
- Taste and consistency: The product has a pleasant taste as well as a consistency that is tolerable and drinkable based on experience and user reviews.
Top greens powders
- Best with protein: Orgain Organic Protein + Greens
- Best single serving: Clean Simple Eats Tropical Super Greens Mix
- Best fruit flavored greens powder: KOS Show Me the Greens
- Best with mushrooms: Ancient Nutrition Organic Super Greens
- Best for athletes: Biosteel Sport Greens
Best with Protein: Orgain Organic Protein + Greens
About Orgain Organic Protein + Greens
Orgain’s Organic Protein + Greens Plant-Based Protein Powder has 21 grams of great-tasting protein powder along with a blend of three greens: broccoli, spinach and kale. This product is vegan, gluten-free and has only one gram of sugar reviewers love the flavor and how well it mixes into shakes, smoothies and baked goods.
In addition to protein, each serving of this greens powder has 35% of your daily value (DV) for iron and 25% DV for vitamin C and vitamin K thanks to the addition of greens. The greens taste is very subtle compared to many other greens powders, and it doubles as a protein shake!
Why we like it
- A simple blend of just three greens
- Is an excellent source of vitamin K, C, and iron
- Each two-scoop serving has
What to consider
- Contains 5 grams of erythritol, a sugar alcohol that may cause digestive distress in some people.
- Includes just three types of greens, which may not be as much variety as some would expect from a greens powder.
- Sweetened with stevia, which may have an off/bitter taste to some people.
Best single serving: Clean Simple Eats Tropical Super Greens Mix
- Single-serving packets mix well with a standard bottle of water
- A mix of 20 different fruits, vegetables, grasses and seaweeds for variety
- Includes a prebiotic blend
About Clean Simple Eats Tropical Super Greens Mix
Clean Simple Eats Tropical Super Greens Mix comes in a pack of 10 single-serving sticks, as well as a multi-serve canister. The sticks can be shaken into a bottle of water, which makes them perfect for drinking on the go. Each serving includes a blend of 20 “superfoods”, including fruit, grasses, greens and other botanicals. It also includes a prebiotic blend of Prebiotic VitaFiber® and chicory and ginger roots to help feed the good bacteria in your gut, promoting a healthy and diverse gut microbiome. You’ll find only 16 calories and 4 grams of carbohydrates per serving of this drink mix.
The flavor is described as pineapple juice with a hint of orange guava and greens. While it has no added sugars, it is sweetened with stevia and has the addition of several fruits like pineapple, apple, orange and tart cherry, which all contribute to the light and tropical flavor.
Reviewers love the flavor and that it doesn’t have a strong “greens” taste but say it tastes best with ice-cold water. You can also find the single-serving packets in raspberry lemonade and peachy green flavors.
Why we like it
- A mix of several fruits, greens, grasses and botanicals for a variety of antioxidants and plant compounds
- Easy to mix with a standard bottle of water while on the go
- Also available in multi-serve containers
What to consider
- Prebiotic blend could potentially cause digestive upset or bloating in some people
- Sweetened with stevia, which may taste bitter to some people.
Best fruit flavored greens powder: KOS Show Me the Greens
- Includes blends of algae, greens, fruits and vegetables, and prebiotics
- Produced in an NSF-certified facility
- Organic and vegan
About KOS Show Me the Greens
KOS Show Me the Greens is USDA-certified organic, vegan, and free from gluten and soy, which makes it a great choice for many people with dietary restrictions. Reviewers love the fruity, green apple taste of this drink and as it's sweetened with monk fruit and stevia, you get a little sweetness without any added sugars.
One scoop has just 30 calories, 6 grams of carbohydrates and 2 grams of fiber, with 17% of your daily iron needs. While reviewers say it’s just a little chalky or grainy when mixed with water, it’s good shaken with water or blended into a smoothie.
You’ll get a blend of algae and greens, including chlorella, spirulina, wheat grass and oat grass, fruits and vegetables and a prebiotic blend to support a healthy digestive system.
Why we like it
- USDA-certified organic ingredients
- No artificial colors or flavors or added sugars
- Made in an NSF-certified facility
What to consider
- The manufacturer recommends drinking on an empty stomach, but this may cause nausea or stomach upset in some people
- The texture is a little grainy when mixed with water
Best with mushrooms: Ancient Nutrition Organic Super Greens
- 2 billion CFU’s of probiotics
- Includes a blend of adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms
- No added sweeteners
About Ancient Nutrition Organic Super Greens
Each scoop of Ancient Nutrition Organic Super Greens has 30 calories, 3 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber and 2 grams of protein. While the blend includes over 25 fruits, veggies, greens and other botanicals, its key ingredients include 2 billion CFU’s of Bacillus coagulans, a resilient probiotic, ashwagandha root to help your body adapt to stress and adaptogenic herbs and roots, including mushrooms like cordyceps and reishi.
This greens powder is vegan, gluten-free, soy-free and USDA-certified organic. While the taste is definitely “green” and “earthy”, most reviewers who enjoy a more earthy taste or are used to the flavor of green powders enjoy this blend. This can be expected since it has no added sweeteners or flavors aside from the fruits and other plant foods included in the ingredients.
Why we like it
- Includes the adaptogenic mushrooms cordyceps and reishi
- Each serving as 2 billion CFU’s of the probiotic Bacillus coagulans
- USDA- certified organic
What to consider
- Reviewers conclude that it has a very earthy and “green” flavor, which may not be enjoyable for all
- While it's vegan and soy-free, it is made on equipment that also processes soy, eggs and shellfish, so it may not be appropriate for these allergens
Best for athletes: Biosteel Sport Greens
- NSF-certified for Sport
- 20 whole food ingredients
- Includes a unique performance recovery complex to aid muscle recovery
About Biosteel Sport Greens
Biosteel Sport Greens includes a mix of land and sea greens as well as potent antioxidants like goji berries, tart cherry and green tea. While most of these ingredients can be found in a variety of other green powders, what sets Biosteel Sport apart is its high-performance recovery complex. They’ve added ingredients like quercetin, turmeric, astaxanthin and the amino acids glutamine and leucine to help aid in muscle recovery.
Many of these compounds have been studied for their potential effects on improved muscle health, like astaxanthin’s ability to reduce oxidative stress and promote mitochondria regeneration and growth of blood vessels, but their direct effects on humans and the amounts needed need further research.
Another major benefit for athletes using Biosteel Sport Greens is the NSF-certified Safe for Sport seal. This product can be found on the NSF website as one that’s been tested for purity and potency and that it’s free from substances banned by international sports organizations.
Why we like it
- Third-party tested to be safe for athletes
- Vegan and free from soy and artificial colors and flavors
- It could potentially help support muscle recovery in athletes with various antioxidants and amino acids.
What to consider
- The amounts of ingredients used are not disclosed to know if effective doses are included
- Not organic
How to choose a greens powder
To choose the best greens powder for you, consider your specific needs, the ingredients used, dietary concerns or restrictions and your budget.
- Your reason for taking a greens supplement: All greens powders have different ingredients, nutrients and purposes. Consider why you want to take the supplement and if the ingredients align with your goals.
- Dietary concerns or restrictions: Consider claims and certifications like vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, organic or NSF-Certified for Sport to see if they align with your needs. If you have a medical condition or digestive concerns, look for potentially aggravating or interactive ingredients like prebiotics, specific fibers or nutrients.
- Budget: Greens powders can be a pricey supplement to add to a daily regimen. Consider how much money you have to spare on a low-calorie, often low-protein supplement, as it won’t replace a diet high in fruits, vegetables, fiber and protein.
Methodology
To compile this list, our writers and editors reviewed top products on the market, compared specs and features and created a short list of the top greens powders. Then, we used product descriptions, reviews and user ratings to find the best option for each category. Note that we do not test every product but base our lists on our research, user reviews and expert opinions.
FAQ
Is it OK to drink greens powder every day?
Many of the ingredients used in greens powders are safe to drink daily for most people, although you may want to start slow and allow your body to adjust before drinking them daily right off the bat. This is especially true if they contain digestive support ingredients like probiotics, prebiotics or digestive enzymes.
Are greens powders FDA-approved?
Greens powders and other supplements are not regulated by the FDA. Because of this, it’s important to buy greens powders from trusted and reputable brands, especially ones that participate in third-party testing to verify purity and potency.
Do greens help with bloating?
While some greens powders may have ingredients like prebiotics, probiotics and other fibers to help with digestion, they may not have the same effect on all people. Some may experience increased bloating or abdominal discomfort, while others may find some greens powders help relieve these symptoms.
References
- Lee, S. H., Moore, L. V., Park, S., Harris, D. M., & Blanck, H. M. (2022, January 7). Adults Meeting Fruit and Vegetable Intake Recommendations - United States, 2019. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 71(1), 1–9. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/71/wr/mm7101a1.htm?s_cid=mm7101a1_w
- U.S. Department of Agriculture & U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2020). Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. Retrieved from DietaryGuidelines.gov
- Wong, S. K., Ima-Nirwana, S., & Chin, K.-Y. (2020). Effects of astaxanthin on the protection of muscle health (Review). Experimental and Therapeutic Medicine, 20(4), 2941–2952. https://doi.org/10.3892/etm.2020.9075. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7444411/
