As a dietitian, I need to stay current on all the best greens powders so that I can recommend them to my clients based on their individual needs. I'm a big supporter of Live it Up Super Greens, so I'm constantly sampling and examining new products to see how they stack up to my tried-and-true favorite.
When I came across Daily Element's nutrient-dense microgreens powder, I knew I had to give it a try. I was impressed by its simple formula and purported benefits, so I put it to the test. I tasted the blend, analyzed its ingredients, and examined its health claims. Below, I'll discuss the following:
- Is Daily Elements Worth a Try?
- What Is Daily Elements Microgreens?
- Purported Health Benefits
- Ingredient Breakdown
- Quality and Safety
- Cost Analysis
- Taste Review
- Why I Recommend Live it Up Super Greens
Daily Elements Quick Facts
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Key ingredients: Only 4 total
- Kale
- Broccoli
- Red cabbage
- Peas
- Flavor: Natural flavor with no sweeteners or flavoring (very earthy)
- Manufacturer health claims: Supports gut health, immune function, energy maintenance, and inflammation
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Possible side effects:
- Digestive upset or bloating
- Potential interactions with medications
- Calories: 3.6 calories (1 scoop = 1 gram)
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Price:
- Mini (14 servings): $35 for a one-time purchase or $28 with a subscription
- Standard (30 servings): $75 for a one-time purchase or $59 with a subscription
- Double (60 servings): $135 for a one-time purchase or $108 with a subscription
- Shipping: Free shipping only on Standard and Double purchases
Bottom Line: Is Daily Elements Worth a Try?
Daily Elements features a nutrient-dense microgreens powder that claims to include seven servings of vegetables in every serving, supporting a wide range of health benefits, including digestive support and immunity. However, the formula lacks probiotics, fiber, and digestive enzymes and fails to list the amounts of its essential nutrients (other than sodium and iron), making it difficult to determine the extent to which this product can benefit your overall health.
Combined with the higher price and earthy taste, I’d choose Live it Up Super Greens instead because I believe it provides a more robust and tasty formula and offers greater transparency into its supplement facts.
What Is Daily Elements Microgreens?
Daily Elements is a supplement brand that claims to be the first to offer a greens powder made entirely from microgreens. Its formula features nutrient-dense plants in their "microgreen stage" because they contain more nutrients when young than when they are mature.
Daily Elements utilizes raw, freeze-dried microgreens, which helps preserve the nutrients and maintain their cell structures, much like fresh microgreens. Moreover, the brand is unique in that it grows all its ingredients indoors, ensuring they are free from synthetic pesticides.
With only four ingredients, the blend has absolutely no fillers, sweeteners, flavorings, or additives, and is low in calories. Amongst the many benefits, this greens powder may support immune function, digestive health, and energy maintenance.
Daily Elements Pros
- Features nutrient-dense microgreens
- Seven cups of greens in every serving
- Concentrated formula with an effective dose of each ingredient
- Non-GMO and pesticide-free
- Low in calories
- Dairy-free, sugar-free, and vegan
- No synthetic nutrients
- Made in the USA
- Shelf stable
Daily Elements Cons
- Lacks superfood variety
- Does not include probiotics, notable fiber, or digestive enzymes
- Only lists two minerals (sodium and iron)
- No organic ingredients
- Somewhat pricey, and free shipping is only available on certain orders
- Unflavored, unsweetened formula tastes very earthy
Daily Elements Purported Benefits
This green powder contains nutrient-dense microgreens that may aid your immune system, support healthy digestion, balance energy, and provide anti-inflammatory benefits. Let's examine these health benefits in more detail.
Benefit #1: Healthy Immune System
When evaluating a product's immune system support, I typically look for specific nutrients, such as vitamins A, C, D, and E, as well as essential minerals like zinc, selenium, iron, and magnesium.
Unfortunately, the supplement list doesn't include any other vitamins and minerals aside from small amounts of sodium (.5 mg) and iron (.1 mg). I would have liked to see some of the well-known immune-supporting micronutrients listed along with their daily recommended value percentages so I could better assess how much the product can impact your immune system.
That said, the microgreens in the formula do feature vitamins and minerals that may support immune function. For example, red cabbage is a good source of vitamins A and C, as well as potassium, and peas are rich in vitamins A and C, iron, magnesium, and potassium.
Benefit #2: Digestion and Bloating
The Daily Elements microgreens powder says it can “improve” digestive health and bloating, but I believe this is the product’s weakest potential benefit without a more comprehensive formula.
I noticed that some of the cruciferous ingredients in the blend are sometimes associated with more bloating and digestive issues. For example, broccoli and red cabbage contain Fermentable Oligo-, Di-, monosaccharides, and Polyols (FODMAPs). These are sugars that your body has difficulty absorbing, often leading to digestive issues.
Furthermore, I would expect to see digestive enzymes, probiotics, and high amounts of dietary fiber in a formula that claims to support digestion and prevent bloating. However, this powder does not feature digestive enzymes or probiotics, and its dietary fiber (0.2 g) is significantly lower than that of other green powders on the market.
Benefit #3: Increased Energy
Some nutrient-dense powders help close nutritional gaps, which can help balance energy levels. However, with only four ingredients in total, it's hard for me to determine the extent to which this formula “increases” energy.
I'd also expect to see specific nutrients known for supporting energy levels, such as digestive enzymes, magnesium, B vitamins, and vitamin D. That said, the formula's fresh microgreens do naturally have some vitamins and minerals that may help maintain energy.
For instance, kale contains vitamin B6, and red cabbage is high in folate, both of which support metabolism. However, it remains unclear how much of these nutrients are present in the overall formula.
Benefit #4: Anti-inflammatory properties
Lastly, the Daily Elements greens powder may help address inflammation. The formula includes leafy greens and cruciferous vegetables that have anti-inflammatory properties. For example:
- Broccoli and cabbage are high in vitamin K
- Kale is rich in antioxidants and flavonoids
- Peas have antioxidants, flavonoids, and saponins
Daily Elements Ingredient Breakdown
Many other name-brand supplement brands on the market, such as Athletic Greens and Huel, contain 70+ underdosed ingredients; however, Daily Elements' formula includes just 1,000 mg of four freeze-dried microgreens.
The Daily Elements greens powder contains kale, red cabbage, peas, and broccoli, which are rich in essential nutrients, antioxidants, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Kale
There are many benefits of kale. It may support bone and eye health, exceptional immune system functioning, digestion, and more. This leafy green is an excellent source of vitamins A, B, C, K, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. It also has prebiotics and antioxidants, which help fight oxidative stress and free radicals.
Red Cabbage
Red cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable rich in vitamin C and potassium, which contributes to exceptional immune system support. It's also generally high in fiber, helping to support your gut health. Red cabbage's purple pigment comes from anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid renowned for its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. The flavonoid can also help balance gut microbiota.
Peas
Peas are a plant-based protein source. Some of the most essential nutrients available in peas include folate, magnesium, iron, potassium, fiber, and vitamins C and K. They are a good source of beta-carotene, an antioxidant that aids lung function and supports healthy aging. Additionally, peas may help reduce inflammation due to their high antioxidant content.
Broccoli
Broccoli may help with inflammation, immune system support, healthy blood flow, and digestion. The cruciferous vegetable is an excellent source of potassium, iron, antioxidants, and vitamins A, C, and K. What's more, broccoli contains sulforaphane, a compound that has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
Daily Elements Quality and Safety
Daily Elements undergoes third-party testing to help ensure the quality and safety of its products, and each batch is tested for pathogens, heavy metals, and contaminants.
Though none of the ingredients are organic, the brand grows its microgreens in a USDA Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certified facility, which ensures non-GMO, pesticide-free growing. Still, I would like to see that it follows Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) Guidelines during the manufacturing and distribution stages as well, as Live it Up does.
Daily Elements Cost Analysis
The cost of this nutrient-dense microgreens powder is slightly on the pricey side when compared to similar brands on the market. The mini tub costs $35 plus shipping and will only last you two weeks. However, you can save an additional 20% by subscribing.
Let's take a closer look at the costs:
- $35 for the Mini 14-serving option ($2.50 per serving)
- $75 for the Standard 30-serving option ($2.50 per serving)
- $135 for the Double 60-serving option ($2.25 per serving)
- Subscribe and save 20%. This brings a month’s supply down to $1.97 per serving with a subscription.
- Free shipping on Standard and Double orders
- 30-day satisfaction guarantee
If you're looking for a more affordable option, Live it Up Super Greens is the way to go. A 30-day supply costs $59.99 ($1.66 per serving), or $1.33 per serving when you subscribe. Live it Up also includes free shipping on every order and a 30-day satisfaction guarantee.
Daily Elements Taste Review
So, what does the Daily Elements microgreens powder taste like? You can expect an earthy taste because it doesn't contain any added flavoring. While we appreciate that the brand doesn't add sugar, sweeteners, or natural flavors, the taste can make it difficult to enjoy and incorporate into your daily routine.
That said, everyone's preferences are different. Some verified reviewers didn't seem to mind the natural taste, with one saying, "The taste is pleasant, mildly earthy."
Meanwhile, others weren't as happy with the taste. One verified buyer said, "I tried it and could not get past the taste," while another one simply said, "Yuck. Just yuck."
Due to its less-than-desirable taste, I probably wouldn't recommend Daily Elements to my clients when there are many great-tasting greens powders out there. For example, Live it Up Super Greens’ two flavors are refreshing and enjoyable, and the powder doesn't clump. Some recent buyers agreed with me, with one saying, "I've only had the original flavor, it's much smoother than other greens I've tried. The taste is slightly minty."
Why I Recommend Live it Up Super Greens
I appreciate Daily Elements for its pure and straightforward formula with nutrient-dense, freeze-dried microgreens. I value the simplicity of its four ingredients and the fact that it doesn't contain a multitude of underdosed ingredients, unlike many other green brands. However, I wish the supplement facts were more transparent and included other key vitamins and nutrients, so I could better evaluate its nutritional value.
While other companies fall prey to overcomplicating their blends, Daily Elements’ lack of superfood variety likely sacrifices comprehensive nutrition. More importantly, for a bare-bones formula with a polarizing taste that’s too “green” for many, Daily Elements comes at a high cost.
In contrast, Live it Up Super Greens is one of the best greens powders available. Super Greens offers balanced nutrition with all the daily recommended value percentages of 22 vitamins and minerals, allowing me to feel confident that it supports overall health.
Furthermore, this nutrient-dense greens powder contains gut-friendly ingredients, including probiotics, digestive enzymes, and a substantial amount of prebiotic fiber derived from ingredients like barley grass and alfalfa leaf. Super Greens also comes in two delicious flavors, so you never have to compromise on taste to get a comprehensive daily greens powder.
Frequently Asked Questions
Review some of our frequently asked questions below.
Is Daily Elements legit?
Yes, Daily Elements is a legitimate brand. The brand grows its microgreens indoors to prevent contamination from pesticides and freeze-dries them to help preserve their nutrients. In fact, it claims to be the first brand to create a greens powder made entirely with microgreens.
Is microgreen powder good for you?
Yes, microgreen powder is generally considered good for you. However, it's essential to choose a greens powder that does not include sugar or fillers that won't benefit your health. Daily Elements is a good choice because the formula contains just four nutrient-dense microgreens that may support eye and bone health, calm inflammation, aid digestive health, help balance energy levels, and more.
Is it okay to eat microgreens every day?
Yes, it's considered safe to eat microgreens every day as they are considered some of the most nutrient-dense plants. These young vegetables contain higher concentrations of vitamins and minerals than mature vegetables. Incorporating a microgreen powder into your daily routine is a great way to help boost your nutritional intake.
What does Daily Elements taste like?
Daily Elements does not include any sweeteners or flavoring, so it maintains a somewhat earthy taste. The four ingredients are broccoli, kale, red cabbage, and peas, so you can expect it to taste like a blend of these vegetables. Some don't mind the all-natural taste, but others prefer to hide the powder in a juice or smoothie or add natural sweeteners, such as honey or maple syrup, to make it taste better. Still, I know that it’s hard to continue a healthy habit if you don’t enjoy it, which is why I recommend my clients taste-test a few delicious greens powders to find one they love.
Is Daily Elements safe?
Yes, Daily Elements is considered safe, as the product undergoes third-party testing to ensure quality and safety, and is monitored for the presence of heavy metals and other contaminants. The brand also grows its microgreens indoors in a USDA-certified Good Agricultural Practices facility, thereby preventing exposure to pesticides. Furthermore, the product is dairy-free and allergen-free.
References
- https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/fodmap-diet-what-you-need-to-know
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10893789/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9100260/
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3746630/
- https://www.healthline.com/health/what-are-flavonoids-everything-you-need-to-know
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-kale
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0308814621014886
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2772566924000363
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5613902/#T0002
- https://www.healthline.com/health/beta-carotene-benefits
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/green-peas-are-healthy
- https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2012/08/29/160274163/introducing-microgreens-younger-and-maybe-more-nutritious-vegetables
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