When I got my registered dietitian certification, I never thought that my passion would become finding the best greens supplements for my clients. But over the years, I have routinely learned that greens powders are an amazing way to bridge the fruit and veggie nutritional gap that most Americans face, which is why I thoroughly test and review every supplement that comes my way.
With its bold, bright branding and cool-kid aesthetic, Ghost Greens claims to offer nutritional and gut health support. But does it live up to the hype?
This article provides my first-hand test and professional perspective on the purported benefits, ingredients, quality and safety, price, and taste. At the end of the day, Live it Up Super Greens still beats Ghost Greens for my favorite greens supplement. In this Ghost Greens review, I’ll walk you through the facts to help you make the best decision for your unique health goals and preferences!
Ghost Greens Quick Facts
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Key ingredients:
- 19 “Greens and Reds” for overall wellness
- 10 billion CFU of probiotics plus digestive enzymes and prebiotic fiber
- Herbs and spices like turmeric, cinnamon, oregano, and ginger, and the adaptogen astragalus 10:1
- Contains coffee and green tea extract
- Contains additives maltodextrin and silicon dioxide
- Sweetened with monk fruit and rebaudioside (stevia extract)
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Flavors:
- Original
- Guava berry
- Pink lemonade
- Lime
- Iced tea lemonade
- Matcha latte
- Old school apple
- Acai bowl
- Manufacturer health claims: Aims to support digestive health, energy, and overall nutrition
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Possible side effects:
- May cause digestive upset due to maltodextrin
- Contains caffeine from matcha, coffee, and green tea extracts
- Possible medication interactions
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Nutrition facts (Original flavor): One 9.5g scoop =
- 25 calories
- 6 grams of carbohydrates
- 3 grams of fiber
- 1 mg of iron
- Container size: 30 servings (1 scoop = 1 serving)
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Price:
- $44.99 for 30 servings ($1.50 per serving)
- $33.74 for 30 servings with a subscription ($1.12 per serving)
- Shipping: Cost is calculated by location.
Bottom Line: Is Ghost Greens Worth a Try?
Ghost Greens is a solid option with well-known superfoods for those into trendy branding and caffeine-fueled energy. However, I believe the high probiotic content is the only main pro going for this greens powder. Compared to Live it Up, Ghost Greens lacks the vitamin and mineral transparency, filler-free formula, safety and quality testing, and free shipping to make it worth even the affordable cost.
What Is Ghost Greens?
Ghost took off in 2016, when co-founders Ryan Hughes and Daniel Lourenco agreed that the market was flooded with bodybuilding supplements. Instead, the duo wanted to offer supplements that support the average person’s health and wellness. Though Ryan Hughes is a bodybuilder himself, the company’s highly-curated branding and wide range of supplements makes the company feel approachable to your average gym goer.
Ghost Greens aims to help get more fruits and vegetables in your diet and “make your mom proud.” In addition to Greens, Ghost’s bestsellers include Legend (to support energy and athletic performance), Intra (targets hydration and focus), and the electrolyte-filled Hydration blend.
Ghost Pros
- Contains probiotics from 5 different strains for gut health
- Features greens, reds, and a number of superfoods
- Vegan, dairy-free, soy-free, gluten-free
- Wide range of unique flavors
- Partners with One Tree Planted to plant a tree for every Ghost Greens superfood powder sold
Ghost Cons
- Contains more caffeine than most greens powders
- No nutrients listed other than iron
- Includes fillers silicon dioxide and maltodextrin
- Not all ingredients are organic
- Not third-party tested or GMP-certified
- Gritty texture and mixed reviews on taste
Ghost Greens Purported Benefits
Though Ghost doesn’t claim a wide range of benefits, I took a closer look at where the formula offers potential to impact gut health, energy, and immunity and inflammation.
Benefit #1: Gut Health
Ghost Greens claims to support gut health and boy, does their formula deliver! Featuring 10 billion CFUs of probiotics, Ghost’s green formula has one of the highest CFU counts on the market.
I was pleased to see that this formula not only has a high CFU amount but also focuses on a variety of strains including: B. subtilis, B. coagulans, L. acidophilus, S. boulardii, and B. lactis. A number of these strains are frequently studied for their positive impact on the gut microbiome.
Additionally, Ghost Greens powder also features 2,000 mg of inulin, a prebiotic fiber (that may cause digestive upset for some), and 110 mg of BioCore Optimum Complete, digestive enzymes intended to help break down food and encourage nutrient absorption.
Benefit #2: Energy
Anyone familiar with Ghost knows that energy support is a big focus across the company’s product line. When it comes to Ghost Greens powder, the formula contains energy-supporting fruits and veggies like apples, berries, broccoli, and nutrient dense greens. However, it’s unclear whether the blend actually has enough of each ingredient and their unique nutrients for energy support.
Perhaps more importantly is the inclusion of caffeine, thanks to the use of coffee, matcha, and green tea. Though Ghost doesn’t disclose the exact amount of caffeine, the 500mg of matcha alone could have nearly 200mg of caffeine.
Though caffeine may provide energy bursts in the short-term, this stimulant can also be accompanied by energy crashes, sleep disruption, and anxiety, and irritability. Of course, these side effects don’t happen to everyone but for those who are sensitive or trying to eliminate caffeine from their diet for other health reasons, I recommend opting for a caffeine-free greens powder like the one from Live it Up.
Benefit #3: Immunity and Inflammation
Though Ghost does not advertise immunity and inflammation as health focuses, I noticed that the company’s proprietary blend SPECTRA Total ORAC and Antioxidant blend are packed with ingredients known to offer immune support and inflammation assistance.
Both immunity and inflammation are closely related biological systems. Inflammation is the body’s way of protecting and healing itself from tissue damage and inflection, whereas immunity protects the body from pathogens, such as viruses and bacteria. So, it’s of no surprise that the antioxidant-rich foods found in this greens supplement may offer support to both the immune system while helping with inflammation.
Of course, I have to point out that the product does not disclose specific vitamin and mineral quantities, so it’s unclear whether this green powder has the necessary nutrients for immune and inflammation support. We know the exact quantities of each ingredient, which many competitors fail to do! Still, I’m hesitant to say whether Ghost Greens superfood powder provides comprehensive nutrition simply due to the lack of nutrient information.
Ghost Greens Ingredients Breakdown
Ghost Greens contains three ingredient blends with nearly 70 items total: Super Greens, Antioxidant Reds, and SPECTRA Total ORAC blend. Let's dig into each.
Super Greens
At 4,340mg, Super Greens is the largest blend in Ghost’s formula. Of note is kale powder, organic matcha, organic wheat grass, organic spirulina, organic cracked cell wall chlorella, organic barley grass, organic oat grass, organic alfalfa, broccoli powder, and organic astragalus 10:1. Though many of the ingredients are organic, not all claim that title.
Though the use of the adaptogen, astragalus 10:1, may seem like a pro to this formula, I noticed that the 100mg contained falls short of the recommended 4 to 7g daily. Because of this, it is unlikely that the amount contained is actually effective and more there for marketing clout than anything else.
Antioxidant Reds
The antioxidant blend contains 9 antioxidant-rich ingredients like acai juice, pomegranate juice, blueberry juice powder, cranberry, jabuticaba, camu camu, aronia fruit powder, organic noni 5:1, and organic goji berry. Of these ingredients, only two are organic.
Noni 5:1, is simply concentrated noni fruit extract. This fruit is widely consumed in the South Pacific for its potential health benefits like energy, immunity, and inflammation due to its potent antioxidant properties.
SPECTRA™ Total ORAC Blend
Unlike the other two blends in Ghost Greens, the SPECTRATM blend does not disclose exact quantities of each ingredient. Of the 100mg total (which is tiny), this blend contains a mix of herbs, adaptogens, and spices. It’s unclear what the exact purpose of this blend is other than hit on wellness and health buzzwords. I am skeptical whether the included ingredients are contained in effective quantities, especially since SPECTRATM has the longest ingredient list but smallest percentage of the overall greens powder.
Coffee and green tea are included in this blend, but what’s more concerning is the fillers found here—maltodextrin and silicon dioxide. These two ingredients may cause digestive upset and adverse reactions in some people. These additives also reduce the product’s purity, possibly introducing contaminants into the greens powder.
Ghost Greens Quality and Safety
Ghost Greens uses some organic ingredients (11 of the nearly 70 ingredients), which helps reduce the number of potential pesticides or herbicides in the product. The Ghost formula is vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free, thought I couldn’t find any mention of it being nut-free.
What concerns me most, however, is the lack of information regarding Ghost’s use of third-party testing or GMP-certified facilities. Supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so it is important you verify that your supplement is third-party tested to ensure it is free of contaminants, toxins, and heavy metals. Additionally, GMP-certified products ensure the product is made in accordance with the current Good Manufacturing Practices, adding another level of safety and quality assurance to the supplement.
Compared to Live it Up Super Greens, which is third-party tested and GMP-certified, in addition to being made with organic vegetables and nut-free, Ghost Greens does not offer this quality or safety assurance.
Ghost Greens Cost Analysis
Compared to pricey competitors like AG1 Athletic Greens and Biogena One, Ghost Greens is fairly affordable. Here’s what you can expect to pay:
- One-time purchase: $44.99 for 30-serving tub ($1.50 per serving)
- Subscription: Saves 25% at $33.74 for 30-serving tub ($1.12 per serving)
- Shipping: Not free and charged based on location
- Returns accepted within 15 days of delivery if unopened and accompanied by the receipt
Ghost Greens is similarly priced to Live it Up ($1.33 per serving with subscription), but having to pay for shipping drives up your monthly supplement cost. Live it Up offers free shipping on all orders and has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the product once, knowing that you can return it if it’s not your jam.
Ghost Greens Taste Review
Ghost Greens is sweetened with natural flavor, monk fruit, and stevia, offering eight fun options that have admittedly mixed reviews:
- Lime
- Guava berry
- Pink lemonade
- Iced tea lemonade
- Matcha latte
- Original
- Old school apple
- Acai bowl
I tried the original flavor, which I found unpleasantly grassy and in step with the flavor’s negative reviews. Compared to my go-to, Live it Up’s original flavor, Ghost Greens was not something I could see myself wanting to drink every morning. Customers agree on the original flavor being far from enjoyable, but the other flavors, such as the lime, guava berry, and matcha latte flavor, get fairly good marks.
“The lime flavor is just the right amount, not overly sweet and not that “fake” lime flavor. It tastes like a real lime.” Molly, verified reviewer.
“I only gave it 4 stars because it doesn’t taste like pink lemonade, it just tastes like a plain greens powder to me.” Hailee, verified reviewer.
Additionally, customers ding the product for the gritty texture, with one person describing it as “rough but bearable.” I experienced this as well, finding that the powder gathers at the bottom in an unpleasant residue when mixed with juice or water. Live it Up Super Greens is much smoother without any grittiness, so it was hard for me to go from Super Greens to Ghost’s inconsistent-tasting formula.
Why I Recommend Live it Up Super Greens
While Ghost Greens offers many pros—antioxidants, prebiotics, probiotics and digestive enzymes, some organic ingredients, and affordable—its cons outweigh the good in my book when your money gets you more elsewhere:
- Lack of third-party testing and GMP-certification
- No vitamins and minerals disclosed (except iron)
- Ineffective quantities in the SPECTRATM blend
- Unpleasant flavor and gritty texture
Live it Up Super Greens remains my go-to recommendation for its commitment to testing, quality, and safety, not to mention its enjoyable taste and texture. Although Ghost Greens is slightly cheaper and may be tempting because of that, remember that you have to pay for shipping on every order. I recommend Live it Up as bridging the gap between high-quality, nutrient-dense ingredients and everyday affordability.
Of course, every individual is different with unique health concerns and goals. I encourage you to dive into the facts of each supplement yourself, making the choice that is best aligned with your needs. Though Live it Up is my recommendation for most people, know that you are the only person who knows your body best!
Ghost Greens Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions? That’s normal! Below, find some commonly asked questions about Ghost Greens.
Are Ghost Greens actually good for you?
It depends on your unique health goals and needs. If you want a gut health or digestion supplement, then Ghost Greens is a great pick due to its large probiotic blend and digestive enzymes. However, if you’re wanting a greens supplement for holistic nutrition, it is unclear whether Ghost Greens contains sufficient vitamins and minerals due to the sparse supplement facts. Instead, I’d recommend other greens powders like the balanced, all-natural formula in Live it Up Super Greens, which features 22 vitamins and minerals plus gut health support.
What does Ghost Greens do for your body?
Ghost Greens may support your body with energy, hydration, immunity, and inflammation. The dietary supplement is high in gut-friendly ingredients. However, it’s unclear whether Ghost Greens offers the other purported benefits due to the lack of transparency into the vitamin and mineral content.
What are the side effects of taking greens?
Side effects of greens powders may include digestive upset, especially if your body doesn’t get enough daily fiber. Some people may also experience rare allergic reactions like rashes or hives, especially if the product contains common allergens. Ghost Greens also contains caffeine and may cause jittery feelings or a crash after taking.
Is drinking greens powder actually good for you?
Yes! Only 1 in 10 American adults get enough fruits and veggies everyday. Though whole foods are the best way to achieve a balanced diet, greens powders are a great way to bridge this gap in healthy adults, helping everyone to get essential nutrients in one scoop. Additionally, many greens powders are fortified with probiotics, digestive enzymes, and other ingredients to support your body’s overall health.
How often should you drink Ghost Greens?
According to the manufacturer, you should drink a scoop of Ghost Greens once a day.
References
- https://www.ghostlifestyle.com/products/ghost-greens-original
- https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Probiotics-HealthProfessional/
- https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/14598-probiotics
- https://health.clevelandclinic.org/foods-that-give-you-energy
- https://www.fda.gov/consumers/consumer-updates/spilling-beans-how-much-caffeine-too-much
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5805548/
- https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/000821.htm
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/astragalus
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5920423/
- https://www.fda.gov/drugs/pharmaceutical-quality-resources/facts-about-current-good-manufacturing-practice-cgmp
- https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1J0SM7SFXGDDH/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B09XHDM2ZQ
- https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RH6VBU0VKE89X/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B09XHDM2ZQ
- https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1YYXZYREP7CPD/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B09XHDM2ZQ
- https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/R1NGTM6VMCLTBP/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B09XHDM2ZQ
- https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RKKTBID0N6S2Z/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B09XHDM2ZQ
- https://www.amazon.com/gp/customer-reviews/RZQDUCIAGZILL/ref=cm_cr_getr_d_rvw_ttl?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B09XHDM2ZQ
- https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/nccdphp/dnpao/division-information/media-tools/adults-fruits-vegetables.html
- https://www.ams.usda.gov/rules-regulations/organic/labeling
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