A Dietitian's Athletic Greens (AG1) Review: Nutrition, Taste, and More

Made popular by social media, AG1 is a greens powder that promises numerous health benefits. But is it effective—or worth the price tag?

As a licensed nutritionist, I’m acutely aware of the lack of fruits and vegetables in many American diets, so I’m always interested in products designed to help with these nutrient gaps.

Formerly known as Athletic Greens, AG1 is a greens powder supplement that became popular on social media. Several of my clients have asked about it recently, so to give them a comprehensive answer, I wanted to take a close look at AG1.

In this article, I’ll discuss the health claims made by Athletic Greens and how they compare to the ingredient list and nutrition facts. I’ll also cover taste, price, and recommended dosage before giving my verdict on whether AG1 is a good buy for the average consumer.

AG1 Key Features

What Is AG1? AG1 is a nutritional supplement made with 75 ingredients. According to the manufacturer, one serving of AG1 provides superfoods, vitamins, minerals, herbs, antioxidants, mushrooms, adaptogens, prebiotics, probiotics, and a digestive enzyme.

How Should You Use AG1? AG1 is a powder blend. You mix one scoop (12 grams) with 8 ounces of cold water, shake it, and drink it, typically on an empty stomach before breakfast. You can also mix it with milk, juice, or smoothies.

How Much Does AG1 Cost? AG1 costs $99 for a 30-day supply or $79 per month with a subscription. The company has a 90-day money-back guarantee and says that you can change or cancel your order at any time.

What Are the Alleged Health Benefits? The company claims that the nutrients in AG1 were selected to support immunity, gut health, digestion, energy levels, healthy aging, and mood balance. Keep in mind that, as a dietary supplement, AG1 is not regulated by the FDA.

What Does It Taste Like? AG1 does not contain sugar or artificial sweeteners, though it does have stevia. Customers are divided about the flavor, with some praising the hint of sweetness and the natural fruit overtones, while others say it’s earthy or grassy. The texture can be somewhat gritty, which is to be expected when taking a powdered vegetable supplement.

Is AG1 Safe for Everyone? AG1 is safe for general use by adults but should not be taken by pregnant or breastfeeding women or anyone under 18. The label cautions against taking AG1 alongside other supplements containing zinc. Individuals should consult a healthcare professional or dietitian before taking AG1.

“Not all supplements deliver on their promises, making it crucial to choose products that undergo third-party testing. This process involves the company submitting their product to an independent entity for verification of claims and ingredient purity.” —Catalina Ruz, MS, RDN, CSNC

Athletic Greens Overview

AG1 has gone through dozens of iterations since it was introduced in 2010. Initially designed for athletes, AG1 is now marketed to people of all fitness and activity levels. AG1 strives to be an all-in-one nutrition supplement that takes the place of a daily multivitamin while providing additional micronutrients.

AG1 Positives

Easy to use; simply add a scoop of powder to a glass of cold water, shake, and drink
Extensive ingredients include green vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, probiotics, adaptogens, and antioxidants
Provides at least the minimum reference intake of numerous vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B5, B12, niacin, folic acid, biotin, pantothenic acid, and zinc
AG1 has undergone over 250 safety tests and is free from contaminants, GMO ingredients, pesticides, fillers, and preservatives
Vegan, gluten-free, and dairy-free, with no added sugar or artificial sweeteners
NSF Certified for Sport and manufactured in a GMP-compliant facility

AG1 Drawbacks

AG1 provides little visibility into their proprietary blend. I’d prefer to get a better look at exactly what goes into their product and at what quantities in order to evaluate their health claims
Some consumers have found the earthy flavor and gritty texture somewhat unpleasant to drink when dissolved in water (mixing with almond milk or a smoothie helps)
Price per serving is significantly higher than many comparable superfood blends
The amount of certain vitamins and minerals significantly exceeds their recommended daily value, yet it lacks vitamin D and iron
Contains minimal fiber and only one digestive enzyme
Only a few of the ingredients are organic

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Live it Up Super Greens

Price per serving: $1.33

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Runner-up 🏃

Athletic Greens

Price per serving: $2.67

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Third place🥉

Bloom Greens and Superfoods

Price per serving: $1.20

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‍My Overall Thoughts on AG1

Though no supplement is a replacement for a healthy, varied diet rich in whole fruits and vegetables, superfood blends may help support the immune and digestive systems and normal energy levels.

However, while AG1 may be a good fit for athletes or individuals with certain nutrient deficiencies, I don’t think it’s the best option for average individuals looking to supplement their nutrition with a daily greens powder.

In addition to a higher price tag compared to other powders, AG1 contains an excessive number of ingredients and large amounts of certain vitamins and minerals without providing evidence that these dosages are effective. With so many ingredients in AG1’s proprietary blend, certain ingredients may be too diluted to provide potential benefits.

Ingredient Analysis

AG1’s product label divides its 75 ingredients into several key complexes. I took a close look at the Supplement Facts to see how these complexes follow through in terms of nutrition support.

Raw Superfoods

AG1’s “alkaline, nutrient-dense raw superfood” complex includes well-known leafy greens (some of which are organic) like spirulina, wheat grass, alfalfa, chlorella, barley leaf, kelp, and spinach leaf powder, as well as fruit powders like acerola, apple papaya, and bilberry. This complex also features superfoods like rose hip, grape seed, green tea extract, ginger, licorice root, and slippery elm bark powder. Inulin, a prebiotic fiber that supports normal digestive function, is another notable ingredient.

Overall, I thought that the ingredients in this complex deserve the “nutrient-dense” description, and each has been linked to potential health benefits. However, as this is a proprietary blend, the label does not specify ingredient quantities, so it’s impossible to know whether the dosage is effective.

Extracts, Herbs, and Antioxidants

This complex includes herbs that have been cited for their adaptogenic properties. You’ll find artichoke leaf extract, Rhodiola root, eleuthero root, rosemary leaf, ashwagandha root, hawthorn berry, and milk thistle seed extract, which are meant to support the body’s normal response to stress, potentially helping you feel calm and balanced.

This portion of the blend also contains stevia leaf powder for sweetness and alkaline pea protein isolate. It also contains coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), an antioxidant linked to healthy energy levels. However, the Supplement Facts do not specify the amount of CoQ10 or any other ingredient in this complex.

Digestive Enzymes and Super Mushrooms

AG1's super mushroom complex includes both shiitake and reishi mushroom powder, which may help support immunity, energy, cognitive performance, gut health, and coping with stress. For further digestion support, you’ll find astragalus root powder extract and burdock root powder, along with the single dietary enzyme bromelain.

Dairy-Free Probiotics

There are two strains of probiotics in AG1: Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Both of these probiotics are widely used to support a healthy gut microbiome, and 7.2 billion CFU is an impressive amount for a single serving.

Vitamins and Minerals

AG1 features a wide range of vitamins and minerals, listing the amount per serving and the %DV (percent Daily Value) on the label. AG1 appears to provide significant amounts of many important micronutrients. For example, you’ll get 553% of your daily value of vitamin E and 1100% of your daily value of biotin. Such large doses are usually harmless, though they could potentially cause adverse interactions with medications or exacerbate existing health conditions in some people.

On the other hand, the blend contains fairly small amounts of potassium (6%), manganese (17%), magnesium (6%), and calcium (9%). AG1 does not contain vitamin D or iron.

Frustratingly, the Supplement Facts do not indicate what proportion of these micronutrients come from natural sources (e.g., greens or mushrooms) and which are lab-created synthetic vitamins added to bolster AG1’s nutrient profile. Although they can be useful for correcting nutrient deficiencies, some research indicates that synthetic vitamins may be less bioavailable than natural ones, which means they are less potent and less easily absorbed.

AG1’s Health Claims

As a registered dietitian, I tend to be skeptical of promises made by supplement manufacturers, which are not monitored by the FDA. While dietary supplements may help bolster your overall nutrition by providing additional micronutrients, there is no substitute for a balanced diet full of whole fruits and vegetables, whole grains, healthy fats, and lean protein.

Curious about the validity of AG1’s health claims, I analyzed how the ingredients in AG1 are likely to contribute in the key areas of energy and focus, immunity, gut health, and mood balance.

“The AG1 greens formula does contain adaptogens, which are certain ingredients working to reduce the impact of stress on our bodies. This is in addition to vitamins and minerals, pre/probiotics, and antioxidants within this particular product. AG1 is also held to high manufacturing practice standards, and is produced in GMP registered facilities.” — Lena Bakovic, MS, RDN, CNSC

Energy and Focus

Athletic Greens makes several broad statements about how AG1 may “help you feel sharp and focused while supporting your daily energy levels.” I think it’s reasonable to expect that a daily dose of AG1 may help with maintaining a normal energy balance. This is mostly due to the inclusion of numerous B-complex vitamins, which are essential for converting the body’s food intake into usable energy.

For individuals who aren’t getting enough B vitamins from their diet and aren’t taking another multivitamin, AG1 may be useful in combating feelings of fatigue. However, although the dosages of B vitamins in AG1 are significant, they may not be as bioavailable as B vitamins from natural sources.

Gut Health

Many people take AG1 because they think it will improve their gut health and digestion. The Athletic Greens website references a small study in which 97% of participants “felt digestion improved” after 30 days of AG1 supplementation. While that is not nearly enough evidence to prove a definitive link, I feel confident that the ingredients in AG1 could have a helpful effect on gut health.

The blend contains 7.2 billion CFU of the probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum to help support the gut microbiome. AG1 also contains inulin, a prebiotic fiber, and bromelain, a dietary enzyme. These ingredients may contribute to a healthy balance of “good” gut bacteria, thereby potentially supporting overall digestion. In rare cases, some people may experience digestive side effects, so it’s important to talk to your doctor before adding probiotics to your daily routine.

Immunity

Considering the long list of vitamins and minerals in AG1, it’s reasonable to assume that it could help support normal immunity. AG1 features essential nutrients associated with helping to fight off illness, including vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, zinc, and selenium. Unfortunately, the blend lacks vitamin D and iron, which are essential for a robust immune response.

On paper, the immune-supporting micronutrients in AG1 are undeniably helpful for most healthy individuals. However, AG1 should be viewed as a complement to an antioxidant-rich diet and not as a replacement for any whole fruits or vegetables.

Mood Balance

While many of the vitamins and minerals in AG1 are readily found in foods like leafy greens, colorful fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, and lean fish, you’re less likely to find dried reishi mushrooms or adaptogens like ashwagandha, Rhodiola, or eleuthero in the produce aisle. For this reason, it makes sense to use a superfood blend like AG1 rather than taking numerous supplements.

Athletic Greens suggests that you may feel calmer and better able to deal with life’s daily stressors when you consume AG1 daily. Adaptogenic herbs are understood to play a crucial role in helping the body respond to stress, fatigue, and anxiety and have been linked to immune health. However, I wish Athletic Greens specified the quantities of adaptogenic herbs and mushrooms in AG1 in order to confirm effective dosages.

Pricing and Discounts

AG1 is one of the more expensive green powders on the market, so most customers set up a subscription to benefit from significant savings. A one-time delivery of AG1 is $99 for a 30-serving pouch, whereas a subscription is $79 per month. That works out to $2.63 per serving for subscriptions versus $3.30 per serving for one-time orders.

AG1 subscriptions can be paused, canceled, or changed at any time, and the company states that it has a 90-day money-back guarantee. AG1 is only available to purchase through the Athletic Greens website.

For subscribers, your first delivery will include a welcome kit with an AG1 shaker, scoop, and canister, as well as five single-serving travel packs. These travel packs are also available in packs of 30, priced at $109 for a one-time purchase and $89 for a monthly subscription.

If you live with another adult, you may want to sign up for a double subscription. This provides 60 servings for $149 per month, plus two free welcome kits, five travel packs, and a year’s supply of Vitamin D3+K2 drops.

While a number of Athletic Greens customers would undoubtedly argue that the years of product testing and the large number of ingredients make the price worth it, I think it’s only fair to point out that there are more affordable greens powders on the market. For example, Live it Up Super Greens and Amazing Grass Greens Blend each feature an impressive list of nutrient-dense superfoods, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and antioxidants but are more accessible priced at $1.33 per serving.

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Customer Testimonials

AG1 is known for its brand partnerships with social media influencers and celebrity athletes like F1 champion Lewis Hamilton and Olympic sprinter Allyson Felix. But what do real customers think about AG1? The brand has an overall 4.5/5-star rating on their website, and I’ve collected common customer feedback below:

Taste and Texture

Taste is absolutely a matter of personal opinion, but one that could influence whether or not you keep up with a new habit. Customers appear to be divided about the taste and texture of AG1, with some noting the slight sweetness and earthiness and saying it has a “surprisingly OK” flavor, while others say it isn’t to their taste.

Some noted the powdery, chalky texture, though overall, the majority of customers seemed to find the taste palatable and preferred drinking AG1 to a daily regimen of dietary supplements in tablet form.

“Great product. Great taste. Too grainy for me, even mixed with other things.” - Makayla O.

Reported Results

Similar to the feedback on taste and texture, AG1’s reported results are consistently mixed. While some customers mentioned a noticeable improvement in their energy and stress levels, mood balance, and digestive health—using phrases like “helped my digestion to no end” and “gives me so much energy"—others weren’t sure whether their daily green drink made a discernible difference to their overall wellness.

Likewise, some reviewers said that they seemed to be coming down with fewer colds and mentioned perceived benefits to skin, hair, and nails, muscle recovery, and sleep.

“I love how I feel after taking my daily dose; much more energy for the duration of the day. But this product averages out to $4.00/scoop! Not financially sustainable as compared to some similar brands.” - Shantal S.

Still, some noted the powder had “little to no effect” and thought it was overpriced. Potential buyers with sensitive guts or who are taking medications are advised to talk to their doctor or dietitian before trying any new dietary supplement.

Weighing In: Is AG1 Worth It?

Having been on the market for over a decade, Athletic Greens has a devoted fan base that believes AG1 has benefited their overall health. For every satisfied customer, though, there seems to be one who was put off by the taste, lack of noticeable effects, or price.

In my experience, more isn’t always better when it comes to nutrition. AG1’s list of 75 ingredients is undoubtedly impressive, but I’m not convinced it’s necessary for filling the nutritional gaps in an average diet.

AG1 exceeds the recommended daily intake of numerous vitamins and minerals but notably lacks fiber, iron, and vitamin D. And since Athletic Greens does not disclose the ingredient quantities in its proprietary blends, it’s difficult to determine how much of each superfood is contained in a single serving.

As a dietitian, I can see why AG1’s ingredient list might appeal to individuals with certain nutritional deficiencies or athletes looking to fine-tune their nutrient intake and agree it could be a great dietary addition in these situations.

Before adding a supplement to your diet, take time to consider your specific fitness and wellness goals. Speaking with a registered dietitian who understands your unique health history, lifestyle, and dietary preferences is a great way to ensure that you are giving your body the nutrition it needs in the most effective way possible.

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Frequently Asked Questions About AG1

Interested in learning more? Check out my answers to some of the most common questions I’ve been asked about AG1 and other green powders.

How does AG1 taste?

Most customers report that AG1 has a somewhat earthy taste, with some comparing it to matcha. The blend includes a hint of pineapple and vanilla and uses stevia for sweetness.

What are some AG1 alternatives?

While AG1 has an impressive following on social media, there are many other greens powders on the market that could be great AG1 alternatives. Brands like Your Super Super Green Mix and Live it Up Super Greens are made with organic vegetables, manufactured in the USA, and have more manageable ingredient lists for those with unique allergies or who are concerned about potential side effects.

How much do green powders cost?

The price of green powders varies significantly based on the brand and the ingredients. At $2.63 per serving (with the subscription discount), AG1 is one of the more expensive green powders, along with Organifi Green Juice ($2.10 per serving) and Grown American Superfood ($2.14 per serving). On the other hand, Bloom Greens & Superfoods and Nested Naturals Super Greens are priced at $1.20 per serving or less.