Previously known as Athletic Greens, AG1 is one of the most buzzed about greens supplements on the market, made popular by fitness influencers on TikTok. But at nearly $100 per package, you may be wondering: Is AG1 worth it?
In order to determine if AG1 is worth the hefty price tag, we’ll have to evaluate the formulation details — and that’s exactly what we’ll do in this AG1 by Athletic Greens review.
Keep reading to learn more about the key ingredients inside AG1, the benefits of this supplement, what side effects to look out for, and more.
We’ll also share some Athletic Greens reviews so that you can get an idea of what customers really think of this product.
What Is AG1?
AG1 is a powder nutritional supplement that contains 75 different ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, greens, fruit extracts, pre- and probiotics, adaptogens, and more. According to the brand, this blend is great for adults who want to “ensure their nutritional needs are met on a daily basis.”
The brand continues by saying that AG1 supports five crucial areas of health: energy, immunity, gut health, hormonal and neural support, and healthy aging. So can one supplement really provide all of these benefits? Let’s get into the ingredients to find out.
What Are The AG1 Athletic Greens Ingredients?
Before we dive into the formulation details, we wanted to point out that many of the ingredients inside AG1 are listed as proprietary blends, such as “Raw Superfood Complex” and “Digestive Enzyme & Super Mushroom Complex”.
One problem with proprietary blends is that the brand only lists the total weight of the blend per serving, but never the proportions of each ingredient.
Why is this a problem? Well, you could be wasting your money on a formula that does not have adequate quantities of the active ingredients! Keep this in mind as we review each of these blends below.
Alkaline, Nutrient-Dense Raw Superfood Complex
The Raw Superfood Complex includes high concentrations of greens like wheat grass, alfalfa, and barley.
While each of these ingredients contains unique constituents, they all offer anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
You’ll also find spirulina and chlorella in this blend. These are both forms of algae that have been extensively studied for their potential health benefits.
According to a 2022 publication in the journal Frontiers in Nutrition, nutritional clinical trials have reported spirulina and chlorella to have the capability to improve cardiovascular risk factors, anemia, immune function, and arterial stiffness.
Additionally, a publication in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine explains that spirulina may help to increase energy levels, reduce inflammation, and even reduce cholesterol levels. However, the article notes that larger studies are required before any definitive conclusions can be made.
The final ingredient in this blend that we’d like to highlight is inulin, a type of fiber that functions as a prebiotic to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
A 2020 study examined the impact of inulin on gut microbial composition through a review of human studies. In these studies, participants consumed 2g to 20g of inulin daily, resulting in a substantial positive effect on the gut microbiome.
Unfortunately, we have no way of knowing whether the amount of inulin in AG1 falls within this range since this ingredient is part of a proprietary blend.
Nutrient Dense Extracts, Herbs & Antioxidant
Just as the name suggests, this blend is packed with a variety of herbs, antioxidants, plant extracts, and adaptogens.
While each of these extracts offers its own unique benefits, we wanted to focus on the benefits of antioxidants.
Antioxidants are substances that protect the cells in your body from the damaging effects of free radicals. Free radicals can come from external sources (pollution, chemicals, etc.) or internal sources (e.g. byproducts of metabolic oxidation). Too many free radicals can lead to damaged cells, signs of aging (i.e. wrinkles), chronic diseases, and even cancer.
While our bodies naturally produce antioxidants to combat these free radicals, we also need to obtain antioxidants from our diet. That’s why antioxidants, such as those included in the AG1 formula, can help to protect against free radical damage.
Then, there’s quite a few adaptogens used in this proprietary blend, including ashwagandha, rhodiola, eleuthero root, and dandelion root. An adaptogen is a compound that may help the body adapt to stress and promote an overall sense of wellbeing.
Digestive Enzyme & Super Mushroom Complex
This blend contains one dietary enzyme called bromelain. Obtained from the pineapple plant, bromelain is thought to help reduce inflammation and support digestion, although there is limited evidence to support these benefits.
The blend also includes root extracts, such as astragalus and burdock root. Astragalus contains an impressive 126 bioactive compounds and is referred to as an “herb of longevity”. Burdock acts as an antioxidant, supporting the process of healthy aging.
Lastly, the “super mushrooms” in this complex include reishi and shiitake mushrooms.
Reishi mushrooms are most well known for their ability to help boost immune function, and they also function as adaptogens by helping the body better cope with stress and promote overall well-being and vitality.
Shiitake mushrooms have an impressive nutrient profile, including all eight essential amino acids, the spectrum of B vitamins, and minerals like selenium, zinc, manganese and copper. Shiitake has been most renowned for its immune system benefits.
Probiotics
There’s two probiotic strains inside the AG1 formula: Lactobacillus acidophilus – UALa-01 and Bifidobacterium bifidum – UABb-10.
Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that support the balance of the gut microbiome, aiding in the digestion and absorption of nutrients. They can contribute to a healthy and balanced gut environment.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is a beneficial bacteria that lives in the human gut, and can also be added to foods and supplements.
A 2022 publication in the Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology found that Lactobacillus acidophilus aids in balancing your gut microbiome by lowering intestinal pH levels, which inhibits the proliferation of “bad” bacteria like Escherichia coli (E. coli) within your gut.
Bifidobacterium is one of the most abundant and prevalent probiotics found in the human gut, and supplementing with this probiotic may offer several benefits.
For example, a 2021 publication in the journal Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology shares that Bifidobacterium may help reduce inflammation, help the body fight infection, relieve constipation, and alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance.
What Are The Benefits of AG1Athletic Greens?
After reviewing all of the ingredients in AG1, we have summarized the potential benefits of this supplement below:
More Energy
Based on the Athletic Greens reviews we read, many people noticed an increase in their energy levels from taking this supplement, most likely from the intake of vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, and other nutrients in the formula.
Immune System Boost
There’s many ingredients in this formula that support the immune system, such as the greens, antioxidant-rich fruit extracts, probiotics, and mushrooms like reishi and shiitake. When your immune system is strong it’s better able to defend the body against harmful pathogens and prevent illnesses.
Better Gut Health
The AG1 formula contains both pre- and probiotics to support a balanced microbiome. The probiotics introduce “good” bacteria into the gut to help fend off potential pathogens. The prebiotics serve as food for these good bacteria, helping them to thrive.
Reduced Stress
There’s quite a few adaptogens in the AG1 formula, which can help the body adapt to stressors, promoting resilience and overall well-being. Adaptogens work on a molecular level to support various systems in the body, such as the nervous system and adrenal glands. Ultimately, adaptogens help with stress management while also enhancing mental and physical performance.
How to Use AG1?
The brand recommends mixing 1 scoop of the powder into an 8-ounce glass of cold water and drinking once daily. The brand’s website shares additional ideas if you want more flavor, such as squeezing some lemon juice into the mixture or adding AG1 to your favorite smoothie.
Where to Buy AG1?
AG1 by Athletic Greens is sold on the brand’s website (drinkag1.com), as well as on Amazon.com.
How Much is AG1?
On the brand’s website, AG1 costs $99 USD for a one time purchase, or $79/month for a 30 day supply per pouch with their subscription.
On Amazon, the older branding of Athletic Greens is available (not AG1) and it currently costs $117.74 USD for a 30 day supply.
Our Verdict: Is AG1 Worth It?
While there are beneficial ingredients in AG1 by Athletic Greens, it’s hard to tell how effective these ingredients will be since we don’t know the dosages of ingredients used in the proprietary blends. Overall, we don’t think AG1 is worth the high cost.
Pros
- Benefits may include increased energy, improved gut health, and immune system boost
- NSF Certified for Sport and CGMP-compliant
- Many positive Athletic Greens reviews
- 90 day money back guarantee
Cons
- Expensive
- The label does not list exact ingredient amounts for proprietary blends, so there’s no way of knowing the dosages of each ingredient
- Some reviews mention that the product didn’t provide any results
- Side effects may include bloating, diarrhea, stomach upset
What Is The Best Athletic Greens Alternative?
If you’re looking for an Athletic Greens alternative, check out our reviews for these greens supplements:
- WelleCo Super Elixir Review: WelleCo Super Elixir is a greens powder that promises to enhance energy, improve gut health, reduce bloating, help you maintain a healthy weight, and promote clear skin.
- Field of Greens Review: Field of Greens offers benefits like boosting your immune system, supporting your metabolism, and getting natural sources of vitamins and minerals thanks to a combination of greens, antioxidants, and spices.
- KaChava Review: KaChava is a plant-based meal replacement shake with over 85 “superfoods”, including 25 grams of protein and a variety of vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, pre- and probiotics, digestive enzymes, and more.
References:
Front Nutr. 2022; 9: 865741.
Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2011; 2011: 531053.
J Microbiol Biotechnol. 2022 Oct 28; 32(10): 1226–1233.
Front Bioeng Biotechnol. 2021; 9: 770248.
