Juice Plus+ Review: Are These Capsules Worth It?

According to the CDC, around 90% of American adults don’t consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables – a statistic that never fails to concern me. 

Juice Plus+ Fruit & Vegetable Blend capsules promise an easy solution for people who don’t get enough produce in their diet. I wanted to find out whether these capsules are likely to deliver the claimed benefits.

After looking closely at the Juice Plus+ formula, I realized that although it contains small amounts of dehydrated fruit and vegetable juices, the micronutrient content comes almost entirely from a few plant-based vitamins.

Additionally, Juice Plus+ capsules lack the fiber, probiotics, and digestive enzymes found in comprehensive daily green powders like Live it Up Super Greens. As I’ll discuss in this review, the Juice Plus+ formula may be a great option for those looking for vitamin support, though it falls short with gut health and plant volume. 

In this article:

• Is Juice Plus+ Worth a Try?
• What Is Juice Plus+?
• Purported Health Benefits
• Ingredient Breakdown
• Quality and Testing
• Cost Analysis
• Taste Review
• Why I Recommend Live it Up Super Greens

Juice Plus+ Quick Facts

• Key ingredients:
  • Powdered fruit and vegetable juice and pulp blend
  • Citrus bioflavonoids and lemon peel extracts
  • Lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, astaxanthin (carotenoids)
  • Beta carotene (vitamin A), mixed tocopherols (vitamin E)
• Health claims: Juice Plus+ claims that its supplements can help support the immune system, heart health, skin health, lung health and more. 
• Notable nutrition points: One serving = 2 Fruit Blend capsules + 2 Vegetable Blend capsules

• Not recommended for: Individuals looking for gut-supporting probiotics, digestive enzymes, and fiber.
• Cost: Fruit and Vegetable Blend capsules are $54 per month or $216 every 4-month shipment (must be purchased together as a subscription, with 120 servings delivered every 4 months).
• Shipping: Free for U.S. customers.

Is Juice Plus+ Worth a Try?

Although I’m usually supportive of products that aim to increase fruit and vegetable intake, after examining the ingredients in Juice Plus+ Fruit & Vegetable Blend capsules, I concluded that these capsules don’t offer much nutrient content beyond a few added vitamins. Despite their high cost, Juice Plus+ capsules have more in common with a multivitamin than a nutrient-dense greens powder like Live it Up Super Greens, my go-to recommendation for clients looking for a convenient, affordable way to get more veggies in their diet and support healthy digestion, energy levels, and immune health. 

Compared to Juice Plus+, Live it Up Super Greens has ✅Probiotics and digestive enzymes for gut support ✅All-natural nutrients from whole foods ✅Flexible subscription options

What Is Juice Plus+?

Juice Plus+ is a line of dietary supplements sold by National Safety Associates (NSA). Founded by Jay Martin in 1970, the company originally sold fire safety equipment, air filters, and water filters before branching into the supplements market in 1993. Juice Plus+ products are “formulated and distributed” by the Juice Plus+ Company, headquartered in Tennessee.

In addition to the dehydrated fruit and vegetable juice capsules, Juice Plus+ also makes chewables, shakes, bars, and powders. Juice Plus+ products are sold in dozens of countries by distributors (“Juice Plus+ Partners”) via multi-level marketing. 

Did You Know?

Dehydrated fruits and vegetables still offer nutritional value. In fact, studies show that the process of dehydration and powdering nutrients has a relatively minor impact on the nutrients available.

Juice Plus+ Purported Benefits

The main message from Juice Plus+ is that their supplements deliver “concentrated plant-based nutrition that helps you bridge the gap between what you should eat, and what you do eat.” The company and its distributors also point to positive changes you may experience, including:

• Reduced inflammation
• Dental health
• Metabolic health
• Sports performance
• Skin appearance
• Antioxidant protection
• DNA protection

I focused on some of the company’s research to see whether the supplements are likely to provide the purported benefits.

Purported Benefit #1: Immune Function

JuicePlus+ maintains that the capsules are "proven to help maintain a functioning immune system," with four supporting publications. Each study focused on a different population: law school students, healthcare workers, elderly individuals, and police officers. 

However, after reading through the research, the studies’ conclusions were not very strong. 

For example, in the study on healthcare workers, Juice Plus+ supplementation didn’t appear to affect the number of days with cold symptoms that the participants experienced. However, the participants taking Juice Plus+ had 20% fewer days with moderate to severe symptoms than the placebo group, indicating that Juice Plus+ might be slightly better than a placebo at reducing cold symptoms.  

Purported Benefit #2: Heart Health

The company cites five studies to confirm their purported cardiovascular benefit: “Proven to help maintain already healthy cholesterol levels, homocysteine and blood pressure levels, supporting the health of your heart and blood vessels.”

The research had promising results, but a closer look led to some hesitations. For example, one study touted positive outcomes, but many of them were not statistically significant from placebo. Another couple studies looked at changes in cholesterol and blood pressure, but digging deeper I found the results were inconclusive.

With that said, vitamins E and A may be associated with heart health, and a study found that JuicePlus+ capsules were able to increase vitamin E in the body the same as taking a vitamin E supplement.

Purported Benefit #3: Reduced Inflammation

As the site claims, JuicePlus+ “supports the body's normal inflammatory response.”

It’s true that fruits and vegetables are packed with antioxidants, which help to quench free radicals, compounds that, when left unchecked, may be part of the driving force behind inflammation. The problem is that JuicePlus+ Fruit & Vegetable Blend capsules only contain a total of 3.4 grams between all four capsules, some of which is dedicated to the added plant-based vitamins. This means their total plant volume is likely relatively low compared to other greens powders.

With that said, they do add some phytonutrients that double as antioxidants and vitamins, and these may contribute to the purported benefit of "reduced inflammation." They also have four studies to help back up this claim; however, with at least one of the studies, the data does not support their stated outcome. For example, the study states that the product “...improves metabolic profile by reducing systemic inflammation…”, but the data did not show significant change in any of the markers compared to placebo.

While JuicePlus+ capsules may be helpful for inflammation, the studies may be seen as contradictory.

Dietitian Tip:

If gut health and digestion is a primary concern, it is important to seek out a supplement containing probiotics and digestive enzymes. Bonus points if your supplement also contains prebiotic fiber, which feeds and promotes the growth of probiotics.

Juice Plus+ Ingredients Breakdown

Juice Plus+ Fruit & Vegetable Blend capsules contain powdered fruit and vegetable juices with added vitamins, extracts, and carotenoids. Here’s a closer look at what’s in Juice Plus+:

Powdered fruit and vegetable juice and pulp blend

In their natural form, the fruits and vegetables in Juice Plus+ (e.g., apple, peach, orange, prune, date, beet, tomato, carrot, spinach, and kale) are packed with micronutrients

Yet taking Juice Plus+ capsules isn’t the same as eating an apple, a carrot, or a bowl of spinach. The company implies that removing the liquid from fruit and vegetable juices concentrates their nutrients. However, this is impossible to evaluate, as the Nutrition Facts don’t specify how much of each ingredient is in the capsule (though it’s less than half as much as the plant volume in one scoop of Live it Up Super Greens, at 7.3 grams). 

Presumably, the juice powders provide certain micronutrients, yet these don’t appear in the Nutrition Facts. Only vitamins A, C, E, and folate are listed – and, notably, these were added separately to the supplement. 

Lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, astaxanthin

Juice Plus+ contains several added carotenoids: lutein, zeaxanthin, lycopene, and astaxanthin. Found in colorful foods, these organic phytonutrients are sought after for their antioxidant effects. Lutein and zeaxanthin are well known for their role in supporting eye health, while lycopene can promote healthy skin. 

Beta carotene, mixed tocopherols, d-alpha-tocopherol

The ingredients list specifically mentions “beta carotene” (vitamin A), “mixed tocopherols,” and “sunflower d-alpha-tocopherol” (vitamin E).

Notably, one serving of Juice Plus+ fruit and vegetable capsules exceeds the daily vitamin A recommendation when taken together, providing 160%. It’s worth noting the large amount in Juice Plus+ if you take other supplements containing vitamin A. 

On the other hand, Juice Plus+ neglects important vitamins and minerals like vitamin D, nearly all of the B vitamins, vitamin K, magnesium, potassium, calcium, and phosphorus. Even generic multivitamins, which are far less expensive than Juice Plus+, typically include a wide variety of vitamins and minerals. 

Did You Know?

Vitamin A is essential for supporting the body’s immune defense, vision and eye health, and the functioning of cells. This essential vitamin is found naturally in fruits and veggies like sweet potatoes, leafy greens, mango, and cantaloupe, to name a few.

Other Ingredients

The remaining ingredients in Juice Plus+ capsules include: acerola cherry, citrus extract, and lemon peel extracts, calcium carbonate, citrus bioflavonoids, and hypromellose (a plant-based material used to create the supplement capsule).

Juice Plus+ chewable supplements feature a similar list of ingredients, though they also include 2g of added sugar per serving from tapioca syrup and organic cane sugar, as well as a smaller percentage of vitamins and no folate.

Juice Plus+ Quality and Testing

Juice Plus+ products have been on the market since 1993 and have a positive reputation for quality and safety. 

The supplements are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and are plant-based, gluten-free, and non-GMO.

Juice Plus+ Cost Analysis

• Juice Plus+ capsules are only available when you sign up for a subscription. They are delivered every four months. 
• Customers can pay in monthly installments of $54 or $216 upfront for the four-month supply. 
• Juice Plus+ offers free U.S. shipping and accepts returns for products received in the last six months if they are in resalable condition. 
• Customers must buy the fruit and vegetable powder blends together. The recommended serving size is two fruit and two vegetable capsules daily. 
• The price per serving is $1.80.

The cost of Juice Plus+ is somewhat more affordable than AG1 ($2.63 per serving, with a subscription). However, it’s still more expensive than popular daily green powders like Live it Up Super Greens and Bloom Greens, which offer a wider range of ingredients, including leafy greens, probiotics, and fiber. For comparison, a Live it Up Super Greens subscription is $39.99 per month ($1.33 per serving). All Live it Up orders (even one-time purchases) come with free U.S. shipping. 

Juice Plus+ Taste Review

Taste isn’t a major consideration for most Juice Plus+ capsule customers, as the capsules are designed to be swallowed without chewing. This isn’t for everyone, though, and some customers sprinkle the powder into food or opt for the chewable version. 

Juice Plus+ Capsules

For people who don’t mind taking four large capsules every day, Juice Plus+ is an easy way to add some extra nutrients to your diet. Many customers say they take these capsules daily because they want to do something positive for their bodies.

Rather than swallowing the capsules, some people open them and sprinkle Juice Plus+ into food such as oatmeal or yogurt. I tried this approach and found it was pretty effective at hiding the taste of the powders. However, I like to taste my fruits and veggies, so I prefer whole produce or, when short on time, a great-tasting greens powder

Juice Plus+ Chewables

Juice Plus+ Chewables are a popular alternative to capsules, but note that adults and kids 13 years and up are recommended to have four gummies while kids aged 4 years and up should only take two. Interestingly, the company also has a chewable for kids called Healthy Starts, which contains slightly different amounts of vitamins, but the same dosage guidance applies as for the adult gummies. These may be helpful for parents concerned that their children don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables (even though we’re really not sure how much plant volume you and your little one may be getting).

As a dietitian, I feel compelled to put a caveat in here. While it may be tempting to try to fill your kid’s plant needs with a gummy (with added sugar, no less), it’s incredibly important to continue offering whole fruits and veggies. For the parents and caregivers out there: Remember that it can take up to 10 or more tastes of a new vegetable before your kiddo may start to accept it. Just keep putting it on their plate (maybe try different dips, seasonings, and cooking methods) and don’t be discouraged.

Why I Recommend Live it Up Super Greens

With over three decades on the market, Juice Plus+ capsules are popular among people who want an easy way to make up for the lack of fruits and vegetables in their diets. Yet after closely examining the Nutrition Facts and research on Juice Plus+, I concluded that these capsules may not offer much nutrition beyond the added plant-based vitamins A, C, E, and folic acid. Although there’s nothing wrong with taking Juice Plus+, it’s a very expensive way to get a few extra vitamins in your diet. 

As I tell my clients, the best sources of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and antioxidants are undoubtedly whole fruits and vegetables. A high-quality superfood supplement is also useful to help fill gaps in your diet and support numerous areas of your health and well-being. 

I love recommending Live it Up’s all-natural Super Greens powder as a convenient and tasty way to support your nutrition with 16 superfoods. The vitamins and minerals in Live it Up Super Greens come directly from the leafy greens, cereal grasses, vegetables, and other superfoods. Three grams of dietary fiber, 5 billion CFU of dairy-free probiotics, and digestive enzymes round out the ingredients list, helping to support digestion, immune function, and normal energy levels. 

Live it Up Super Greens is available in two tasty flavors, the slightly minty Original and the fruity Wild Berry, lightly sweetened with monk fruit with no added sugars. All Live it Up blends are vegan and contain no GMOs, nuts, or soy. The manufacturer offers free shipping and a 100% satisfaction guarantee on all orders, so why not try it for yourself?

Juice Plus+ Frequently Asked Questions

Want to learn more? Check out these frequently asked questions. 

What is Juice Plus+ for?

Juice Plus+ is intended to help individuals fill nutrient gaps when they don’t eat the recommended amounts of fruit and vegetables, though the vitamin content in Juice Plus+ appears to come exclusively from added vitamins A, C, E, and folic acid. If you’re looking to add whole-food nutrients to your diet with the equivalent of 3 cups of organic vegetables per scoop, I recommend a superfood powder like Live it Up Super Greens.

How long does it take to see results from Juice Plus+?

Though everyone’s health situation and needs are different, the company claims that it typically takes users four months to see results from Juice Plus+ capsules. By contrast, many greens powders only take two weeks to two months to have an impact when used consistently.

How much do Juice Plus+ reps get paid?

Juice Plus+ Partners receive a commission when they convince enough people to sign up for a product subscription or become Partners themselves. As with all network marketing companies, only individuals who successfully recruit many other active distributors will see a substantial financial benefit.

Will I lose weight on Juice Plus+?

While many people take Juice Plus+ as part of a healthy diet, the capsules do not provide the macronutrients needed to fuel an active lifestyle. Although the manufacturer points to research relating to body composition, these studies do not prove that Juice Plus+ helps people lose weight.

This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice or individualized nutrition counseling. Please consult a qualified healthcare provider before making changes to supplements or medications. Any product or brand mentions are for general information and don’t guarantee results.

About Rachel Gargano, MS, RD, CBS | Chief Registered Dietitian at Live it Up

Rachel is a registered dietitian based in Contra Costa County, California, with over 15 years experience.

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