AG1 Review 2024, Tested by a Dietitian

Our dietitian breaks down the pros and cons of the greens powder AG1 to discover if it stands up to the viral hype.

— On Nov 14, 2024

In this article:

Green powders can play a central role in our ability to better meet our nutrient needs daily, and as a registered dietitian, I often recommend them as part of a balanced diet.

However, each brand has a slightly different ingredient profile, meaning many are best used to meet specific goals and needs. AG1, previously Athletic Greens, is an exceptional choice when it comes to green supplements, yet from a dietitian’s perspective, its formula is fairly specific. Because of this, we feel that Live it Up Super Greens edges out AG1 as a better all-around greens supplement.

Read on as I break down AG1’s purported benefits, ingredients, taste, and price to find out if Athletic Greens is the right greens powder for your individual needs.

AG1 Quick Facts

Key ingredients: 75 ingredients with prebiotics, 7.2 billion CFU probiotics, and just over 40 superfoods, including leafy greens, vegetables, herbs, and mushrooms.
Purported benefits: AG1 claims that its product provides Foundational Nutrition to support whole body health, including supporting energy, gut, and immune health.
Taste: AG1 comes in one flavor which has hints of pineapple and vanilla. It has an earthy undertone and a sweetness imparted by stevia.
Possible side effects: AG1 is not recommended for people under 18 or for nursing/pregnant women. Be aware that AG1 provides high doses of several vitamins and minerals, so as a dietitian, I recommend reviewing all supplements you’re taking to ensure overall safety.
Certifications: NSF Certified for Sport and manufactured in a facility that is Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) certified.
Recommended use: The company recommends taking 1 scoop of AG1 daily mixed with 8 ounces of cold water on an empty stomach before breakfast. Once the package is open, it must be refrigerated.

What Is AG1?

AG1 is a well-known powdered greens supplement containing a blend of superfood ingredients and probiotics and is intended as a nutritional supplement to help support overall health. With just one product, Athletic Greens prides itself on continuing to reformulate its greens powder to help match the needs of its consumers.

One scoop of AG1 contains: 50 calories, 6 grams of carbohydrates, 2 grams of fiber, and 2 grams of protein. It also imparts 22 vitamins and minerals, many of which are added.

Pros

Dairy-free, gluten-free, vegan, and non-GMO
No added sugar or artificial sweeteners
Third-party tested and GMP-certified
Contains a wide variety of superfood ingredients
7.2 billion CFU probiotics from 2 strains

Cons

Contains stevia
Not made in the USA
Contains added synthetic vitamins and minerals
High doses of some vitamins and minerals
Only one digestive enzyme
Expensive at $2.64/serving for the subscription

Is AG1 worth it?

AG1 is a nutrient-packed supplement with dozens of superfoods, plus probiotics and digestive enzymes. While the high-quality greens powder comes with a generous 90-day money-back guarantee, it comes at a price. Athletic Greens costs nearly $100 for a one-time purchase (a month’s supply) or $79 with a subscription.

What’s better than AG1?

There are a number of excellent AG1 alternatives on the market that offer many of the same superfoods and potential benefits at a fraction of the cost. Live it Up Super Greens stands out for its nutrient-dense formula with all naturally derived vitamins and minerals and organic vegetables.

AG1 Purported Health Benefits

AG1 has stated their product can impact almost every system in the body, from energy and immunity to gut health, stress and mood, brain health, and even healthy aging. Health professionals like me often find this many claims for a single product to be potentially misleading.

However, one thing is clear, the more vegetables and plants we have in our diet, the better our health outcomes. And AG1 does provide quite a few micronutrients, vegetables, and superfood ingredients.

Let’s break down some of these purported health claims.

Nutrient Intake

This is a claim I can get behind for AG1. With 21 vitamins and minerals, this greens supplement absolutely helps increase your nutrient intake.

Customers seem to agree that these powdered greens offer adequate micronutrients:

“I've actually been able to stop using several other supplements because the dosage in AG1 is sufficient…In addition, it is SO much nicer having a refreshing drink first thing in a morning, than a handful of supplement capsules.” ~Annie SL

As a health professional, I must add a disclaimer here. AG1 boosts its micronutrient profile by adding synthetic vitamins and minerals. This may not be a problem for many customers, and in fact, may be seen as a bonus; however, this may be a potential issue for others.

For example, many of the micronutrients are dosed quite high, some well above 400% of our daily recommended intake. At these high doses, there may be interactions with certain medications and other supplements. Be sure to check how all your supplements combine with AG1 to make sure you are not megadosing on fat-soluble vitamins.

Immune Support

Our immune system is a complex machine requiring specific vitamins and minerals to function properly. Among the many essential immunological nutrients are vitamin D, vitamin C, vitamin E, zinc, and probiotics. AG1 does indeed contain most of these particular ingredients, meaning it could potentially support your immune function.

AG1 does not contain vitamin D, though the company does offer supplemental vitamin D3 plus K2 drops as part of the free gift for some initial subscription orders. As a health professional, I must point out that AG1 already adds vitamin K2 to its greens powder, so adding more K2 may not be advisable if you are on specific medications that are affected by vitamin K.

Some customers who have been taking AG1 for a while have noticed the benefit of immune support. “I've been taking AG1 for the past year or so, and ever since, I have not been anywhere near as ill as I have previously been. I feel I am able to shrug off colds/COVID symptoms, whereas before, they would really bog me down.” ~JW

On the other hand, other customers haven’t seen as much of a response. “Tastes good, don’t know that I have noticed the benefits. A little too expensive.” ~ Lucas M.

Of note, AG1 has quite a hefty dose of vitamin E, coming in at 553% of your daily recommended intake. The good news is that this is still lower than the Tolerable Upper Intake Levels. The not-so-good news is that vitamin E is fat soluble, and excess will build up in the body with the potential to become toxic.

Gut Health

With 7.2 billion CFU, AG1 strives to be a greens powder that benefits the gut. Probiotics are microorganisms that may have a variety of effects on the body, such as influencing the health of our immune system and helping with digestion.

Other ingredients in AG1 that may impact gut health include bromelain, Athletic Green’s one digestive enzyme that works to aid in the breakdown and absorption of protein in the gut; prebiotic fiber inulin, which feeds our gut’s beneficial bacteria and helps to keep them thriving; and ginger, which may promote gastric emptying and bloating relief.

Some customers agree that the green powder may be helpful for their gastrointestinal woes. “...it’s been only 5 days since I started drinking AG1, and I can already feel and see the results. Bloating has reduced, I feel lighter and more energetic.” ~Olha P.

However, not all customers are seeing results. “I was excited to try it, but it upset my stomach. I gifted it to a friend. I contacted support and they said everyone is different, if it does that to me, I should quit taking it. No refund.” ~Pam E.

As a dietitian who has worked with clients who suffer from gastrointestinal distress, it’s important to understand that AG1 also contains ingredients that could cause bloating in some people. Inulin, FOS, and beetroot are just some of the high FODMAP ingredients that may cause gastrointestinal issues.

Energy and Focus

While vitamins and minerals definitely play a role in our energy production, focus is much more subjective and difficult to track.

Micronutrients play a critical role in the process of converting the foods we eat into energy our body can use. Specifically, the B vitamins, iron, and magnesium have been studied in relation to energy production. While iron is not listed on the supplement facts panel, AG1 does contain more than 100% of your recommended daily intake for each of the B vitamins. The inclusion of these nutrients may impact energy levels, especially if you are already not taking in enough.

Athletic Greens reviews indicate that a number of customers feel more energy. “I love the flavor and the ease and simplicity with which I ingest it every morning. I have energy, focus and feel generally great. I believe I complete tasks and navigate each day like people 20+ years younger than I. (I’ll be 85 in January). I’m content to give AG1 all the credit, but I don’t know specifically why.” ~Stuart W.

On the flip side, some AG1 reviews note no changes. “It doesn't do much. I didn't exactly notice a difference after a month of using this consistently. There are most definitely cheaper alternatives.” ~Drew J.

While focus is another benefit that AG1 claims to improve, there is not yet high-quality research indicating that supplements may help boost our ability to concentrate.

AG1 Ingredient Breakdown

Other than price, ingredients are the primary factor setting all greens powders apart. AG1 contains 75 ingredients packed into a 12-gram scoop.

With just under 40 plant ingredients, from mushrooms and herbs to blue-green algae and vegetables, the other 30 ingredients include:

Added vitamins and minerals
Antioxidant supplements like CoQ10 and citrus bioflavonoids
One digestive enzyme
Probiotics
Added protein and prebiotic fibers

Let’s take a deep dive into AG1’s four proprietary blends.

Raw Superfood Complex

The Raw Superfood Complex contains the bulk of ingredients in the AG1 formulation, making up over 7 grams of the volume.

The primary ingredient within this blend is nutrient-dense organic spirulina. This blue-green algae not only contains more protein than most other vegetables, but is also packed with micronutrients and bioactive compounds such as carotenoids, chlorophyll, and other antioxidants.

Nutritional grasses, such as gluten-free organic wheat grass juice powder, organic alfalfa powder, and organic barley leaf powder, also make up a large portion of this blend. These plants are powerhouses in terms of their antioxidant capacity and excellent array of micronutrients, including vitamins A, C, and E and minerals iron, magnesium, and calcium.

This complex also contains a large amount of inulin, a prebiotic fiber that helps promote healthy colonies of beneficial bacteria in our gut.

Other superfoods and herbs in this primary blend include organic apple powder, cocoa bean polyphenol extract, organic chlorella powder, beetroot powder, Lycium berry fruit extract, carrot root powder, licorice root powder, grape seed extract, slippery elm bark powder, broccoli flower powder, bilberry fruit extract, ginger rhizome powder, spinach leaf powder, and green tea extract.

Herbs, Extracts & Antioxidants

AG1’s next blend, coming in at just about 2 grams total, is the Herbs, Extracts & Antioxidants complex. As the name suggests, this blend is less whole foods-focused and instead provides denser extracts and supplements.

The first ingredient in this complex is alkaline pea protein isolate. The addition of protein powder can be seen as a positive, especially in the greens powder category, as protein helps to promote satiety. The amount in AG1 adds 2 grams of protein per scoop, which is likely not enough to make an impact on our fullness levels. Interestingly, many other greens supplements, including Live it Up Super Greens, contain at least 1 gram of protein even without wasting valuable superfood space on a protein powder.

Antioxidant extracts and supplements abound in this blend, including citrus bioflavonoids extract, R-alpha lipoic acid, and coenzyme Q10. Antioxidants are important plant compounds that help to mitigate oxidative stress in the body. However, research casts doubt on whether antioxidants extracted from plants work as well as when they work synergistically with other phytonutrients within a whole food.

Other ingredients in this complex include milk thistle seed extract, artichoke leaf extract, stevia leaf powder, dandelion whole plant dry concentrate, and rosemary leaf extract.

Digestive Enzyme and Super Mushroom Complex

Coming in at 154 mg, this is the smallest blend within AG1.

The mushroom blend in Athletic Greens contains a range of adaptogens, including astragalus root powder extract and Rhodiola root dry extract. These plants are thought to work by helping the body better react and respond to both internal and external stressors.

For example, astragalus may help combat fatigue, shiitake is rich in bioactive compounds, and reishi mushroom powder may help support the adrenal glands. While more studies are needed, mushroom supplements have grown in popularity due to their vast potential health benefits.

This complex also contains burdock root powder, a plant that has been used therapeutically for centuries. Burdock contains quite a number of antioxidants and bioactive compounds and is rich in prebiotic fiber.

It should be noted that while the title of this blend includes “Digestive Enzyme” in the complex, there is only one present: bromelain. This enzyme is derived from pineapple and works to help digest proteins.

Probiotics

AG1 contains 7.2 billion CFU probiotics from two strains: Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. These strains are not only the most commonly used probiotics but also two of the safest, most studied strains in the industry.

AG1 was smart to put these two probiotic strains together, as the combination of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium has shown synergistic effects. This means that the results of taking them together are often more beneficial than when taking them singularly.

And finally, studies have found that both of these probiotics hold up well in studies of survivability, ultimately indicating that more of these will make it to the large intestines.

AG1 Quality and Safety

When it comes to purchasing a greens powder, quality and safety should be a priority.

AG1 does well when it comes to third-party testing. AG1’s greens powder is NSF Certified for Sport, meaning it not only tests for heavy metals and other contaminants, but also for sport-specific banned substances. This is excellent news for professional athletes who may be randomly tested for eligibility to compete in their high-level sport.

AG1, which is made in New Zealand, is manufactured in a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)-registered facility, meaning the goods produced meet specific standards and regulations in Australia and New Zealand. This facility is also certified as GMP for Sport.

While these are all beneficial certifications that help ensure the quality of AG1’s greens supplement, one place they fall short is organic ingredients. Only six of their 75 ingredients are organic, so if avoiding pesticides and herbicides is something that is important for you, this would be a factor to consider.

AG1 Cost Analysis

One of the biggest potential drawbacks of AG1 is the cost. With a price significantly higher than most other greens powders on the market, this may deter many new customers.

One-time purchase: $99
Monthly subscription: $79
Shipping: $9.00 flat rate on all purchases. Save 50% on shipping if you choose deliveries every other month rather than monthly.

First-time subscription orders include a free welcome kit with a canister, shaker, and 5 travel packs, as well as a 90-day money-back guarantee.

While AG1 is a high-quality greens powder, there are many others that provide similar benefits, have just as high-quality ingredients, and are much less expensive, such as Live it Up Super Greens.

Super Greens costs only $59.99 for a one-time purchase, while a subscription is just $39.99. Additionally, Live it Up offers free shipping on all orders and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

AG1 Taste Review

While AG1 continues to iterate on their recipe, one place they’ve decided to remain firm on is their one original flavor.

With hints of vanilla and pineapple, this greens powder enjoys a positive taste review from many of its customers. The vanilla flavor is imparted from natural flavors, while pineapple comes from pineapple fruit concentrate and the natural essence of pineapple core.

“Product is fantastic... love the taste and already included it in my morning routine” ~Christian T.

However, other customers can’t seem to get behind the flavor, saying that it has an artificial flavor to it, a metallic taste, or simply doesn’t taste good.

“It tastes awful; make a better favor.” ~Melvin

From a personal perspective, AG1 is bearable but not my favorite. While you can detect some vanilla and a bit of citrus, the earthy flavor is fairly overpowering, and the stevia leaves a strange aftertaste. Additionally, I found that the greens powder didn’t mix in very well, with a bit of a sandy mouthfeel.

AG1 is a greens supplement packed with vegetables, herbs, extracts, antioxidants, added vitamins and minerals, and 7.2 billion CFU probiotics. With over 70 ingredients, the product has many purported health claims.

As a multivitamin supplement, this greens powder would be considered a mega-multivitamin with high doses of specific micronutrients. From my perspective as a registered dietitian, this feature makes AG1 a better supplement for high-performance athletes whose essential nutrient needs may be quite high.

Compared to AG1, Live it Up offers a nutrient-dense product that is better suited to meet the average consumer’s health goals. With whole-food sourced superfoods, organic vegetables, naturally derived vitamins and minerals (not added), three digestive enzymes, and 5 billion CFU dairy-free probiotics, Super Greens covers all the bases as an excellent greens powder. As a bonus, it comes in two well-liked flavors with great mixability that are easy to add to your daily routine. All this for a fraction of the cost of AG1.

While whole fruits and vegetables are always my top-line recommendation for optimal health and essential nutrients, getting enough is not always possible. Because of this, I often recommend a greens powder to help my clients get needed micronutrients.

Everyone has individual health and nutrient goals, and while I may suggest AG1 to my professional athletes, Live it Up Super Greens is what I would recommend to the majority of my clientele as a balanced addition to their diet.

FAQs

Is Athletic Greens actually good for you?

Athletic Greens is a greens dietary supplement with over 70 ingredients, many vitamins and minerals, along with dairy-free probiotics, antioxidants, and powdered plants. While everyone’s needs are different, AG1 can help fill nutritional gaps as a convenient daily nutrition supplement.

Does AG1 replace a multivitamin?

AG1 is nutrient-dense. Per the nutrition facts, it contains more than 20 micronutrients, with several that are more than 100% of our recommended daily intake. For many people, adding this to their daily routine may help replace a general multivitamin.

What are the negative side effects of AG1?

While many people may not have any negative side effects from taking AG1, some people may experience bloating, gas, or diarrhea. These symptoms may resolve as the body gets used to the greens supplements. If the symptoms do not resolve, or if they become more severe, be sure to contact your healthcare provider.

Does AG1 help you lose weight?

AG1 is low in calories, high in nutrients, and has no added sugar or artificial sweeteners. While the greens powder itself may not help you lose weight, it can be part of a healthy lifestyle that, combined with a balanced diet and exercise, may help your weight management efforts.

How much does AG1 cost per day?

AG1 costs $79 for a subscription of 30 servings per month. This breaks down to $2.64 per day.

References

About the author:

Rachel Gargano, MS, RD, CSSD, CBS

Rachel is a registered dietitian based in Martinez, California, with over 15 years of experience. She specializes in working with prenatal and postpartum women and their infants, as well as with athletes from beginner to pro. When not helping others, she enjoys spending time with her kids, being physically active, and tending to her abundant household plants.

Learn more

AG1 Review 2024, Tested by a Dietitian

AG1 Quick Facts

What Is AG1?

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