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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.
Compare the Top 16 Greens Powders
|Product
|Pros
|Cons
|Nutrition
|Available Flavors
|Number of Ingredients
|Price Per Serving
|Subscriptions Available?
|Dietary Claims
Groove Greens Powder Live It Up Super Greens Athletic Greens AG1 Athletic Greens AG1 Flavors Athletic Greens AG1 Pro Primal Harvest Super Greens Powder Organifi Green Juice Powder Zena Nutrition Greens Organic Supergreens Fruits & Vegetables BrickHouse Nutrition Field of Greens Sips Club Veggie Sips Factor Form Daily Greens Grüns Superfood Gummies Quince Daily Superfood Greens Daily Elements Microgreens Powder Nuzest Good Green Vitality too many ingredients to list
FAQs
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.
<small>Source: Wired</small>
