In the ever-expanding and endlessly growing world of greens powders, it can be hard to determine which one to spend your hard-earned dollars on!
Two that stand out from the pack are Beyond Greens and Athletic Greens - but still, which of these greens powders are the best?
While both are great options for getting your daily dose of greens, there are some key differences between them.
In this post, we'll take a deep dive examination of the superfoods Beyond Greens vs Athletic Greens AG1 to help you decide which might be the best greens powder for you.
So, let’s get right into it!
Live Conscious Beyond Greens Review
Beyond Greens is a green superfood powder that comes from the health and wellness company Live Conscious (formerly Live Well) - and is one of the most popular Athletic Greens alternatives.
The powder is made with a blend of 14 different vegetables, mushrooms, adaptogens, and herbs. It includes echinacea, rhodiola & milk thistle, which may have cleansing effects to help reduce the occasional stress. It also contains probiotics and enzymes for easy digestion, increased energy levels, better immunity, and to support gut health.
Additionally, the product is sourced and produced in the U.S using vegan, non-GMO, soy-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and paleo/keto-friendly ingredients.
And despite the relatively narrow range of Beyond Greens ingredients (only 14), it’s always nice to know that the label features a completely disclosed list of ingredients and doesn’t include any proprietary or complex blends.
Let’s have an overview of the benefits and disadvantages before we look at our Beyond Greens review in depth:
| Click here for Athletic Greens AG1 | Click here for Beyond Greens |
Pros
- Fully disclosed list of ingredients
- Appropriate for people with different dietary needs since it’s gluten and soy-free, and vegan-friendly
- All-natural flavours with no artificial sweeteners
- Includes a variety of mushrooms and other herbal ingredients
- Relatively cheaper than some other alternatives
- The company offers a money-back guarantee in case you’re not satisfied with the product
Cons
- The dosages for some of the ingredients aren’t sufficient to be effective
- Doesn’t contain a wide range of green ingredients
- Lacks valid seals of approval to verify that the product is third-party tested
- Some customers have complained about poor taste
Athletic Greens AG1 Review
Athletic Greens AG1 is another popular green powder that has been around for more than a decade now and has been developed with the help of nutritionists, dietitians, and doctors to provide optimal amounts of essential nutrients on a daily basis.
It’s produced in a TGA-registered facility and has been awarded the NSF Certification for Sport (the gold standard for pro athletes who need to stick to strict rules regarding nutritional products and supplements) which has made it the go-to greens powder of choice for many professional athletes and high-performers.
In fact, Athletic Greens has been the go-to greens powder for some of the world’s greatest athletes like 7x formula 1 champion Lewis Hamilton and the US National Cycling team.
Athletic Greens contains a unique power blend of 75 different highly absorbable whole food ingredients that provide you with a variety of vital vitamins and minerals, enzymes, prebiotics, antioxidants, and phytonutrients, making it a nutritionally complete green powder supplement and one that will do wonders for your health and body.
Plus, the ingredients in the formula are non-GMO. Athletic Greens AG1 is also gluten-free, dairy-free, and suitable for vegans and people on the paleo diet.
In addition, Athletic Greens is also Climate Neutral Certified and associated with organizations like No Kid Hungry, Da Alegria, How2Recycle, and Urban Light to ensure that their company leaves a positive impact on both the environment and the world.
Now, let’s talk about the benefits and disadvantages of Athletic Greens AG1:
| Click here for Athletic Greens AG1 | Click here for Beyond Greens |
Pros
- One of the most nutritionally well-rounded green powders with 75 nutritionally rich ingredients
- Appropriate for all people as the ingredients used are non-GMO, gluten-free, and peanut-free
- A delicious and unique power blend of whole food ingredients
- A product of a reputable brand that is tested by third-party labels such as Climate Neutral and the NSF to ensure the purity of the ingredients used
- Part of the company’s profits go towards various organizations that are trying to make a positive impact in the world
Cons
- It is on the pricier side as compared to some of its competitors
- As it’s made using proprietary blends you can never be sure of the exact amounts of every ingredient in the blend
- Having such a wide range of ingredients inevitably reduces how concentrated they can be
Athletic Greens vs Beyond Greens: How Do They Compare?
Now that we’ve looked at both Beyond Greens and Athletic Greens in detail, it’s time to talk about how they compare and see which is better - Beyond Greens or Athletic Greens.
1.) The Taste
When it comes to taste, in our opinion, Athletic Greens tastes much better than Beyond Greens as it is not overly sweet or grassy.
The formula contains natural flavourings and is sweetened using stevia, papaya, cherry powder, natural vanilla, pineapple, and carrots.
Beyond Greens, on the other hand, has the slightly bitter taste of green tea (largely due to a large amount of Matcha powder in the formula) that some users have found off-putting.
But, if you’re someone who genuinely enjoys the taste of Matcha powder, then your tastebuds should have no difficulty in agreeing with the formula as it mostly tastes like an extra sweetened version of Matcha powder.
2.) The Benefits
Beyond Greens and Athletic Greens, both can offer a host of health benefits as they’re loaded with vitamins, minerals, enzymes, prebiotics, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.
Both Beyond Greens and Athletic Greens AG1 work to support energy levels, immune system health, and digestive systems.
One of the key differences between these two greens powders is that Beyond Greens lacks any official third-party backing and some of the ingredients in the formula are in lower doses than recommended by current research, so they might not be in sufficient amounts to be therapeutic.
Athletic Greens, on the other hand, has been certified by organisations like the NSF and most of the ingredients are all in the recommended doses that are backed by research.
For example, while both powders have probiotics in them, Beyond Greens only has around 300 million CFUs (colony-forming units) of LactoSpore (a natural probiotic) in their product, while according to studies, the minimum effective dose for such probiotics is usually 1 billion CFUs.
On the other hand, Athletic Greens AG1 contains well over the minimum recommended CFU of probiotics in its formula (7.9 billion CFUs) and meets the global recommendations for probiotic supplements.
In addition, Athletic Greens also boasts around 21 essential multivitamins (in therapeutically effective doses) like vitamins A, C, E, B1, B2, B6, B7, and B12 which help with various bodily functions.
Beyond Greens does not contain any essential vitamins or minerals.
So, with regards to the benefits and efficacy, Athletic Greens is our pick here as it contains many ingredients that are clinically indicated to improve various health measures, in doses that are backed by numerous studies while Beyond Greens falls a bit short.
3.) The Ingredients
Both Beyond Greens and Athletic Greens AG1 are formulated using natural ingredients.
Again, we believe Athletic Greens AG1 does have a bit of a leg up in the matter of ingredients as it contains more than 75 whole food ingredients while Beyond Greens only has around 14.
Still, Beyond Greens does have some quality ingredients in their product like organic reishi mushroom, chlorella, catechins, milk thistle, and dairy-free probiotics like LactoSpore, all of which can do wonders for your body.
Here’s the complete list of Beyond Greens ingredients:
Athletic Greens AG1 contains many of these same ingredients but in addition, it also contains many more compounds such as MCTs (medium-chain triglycerides), omega-3 fatty acids, amino acids, ashwagandha, and ginger which offer a bunch of additional health benefits.
Ashwagandha, for instance, is an ancient herb that’s been used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries and according to recent research, it’s indicated to potentially help reduce stress, anxiety, and fatigue while improving cognitive function.
Ginger is another ingredient in Athletic Greens that’s gaining a lot of popularity lately due to new studies showing its promise as a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Here’s a look at the complete list of Athletic Greens ingredients:
So, at the end of the day, while Beyond Greens does have some quality ingredients in its formula, Athletic Greens takes the win here as it contains many more ingredients in effective doses to offer a wider and more complete range of potential health benefits.
4.) The Cost
When it comes to cost, Beyond Greens is definitely the more affordable option out of the two.
A tub of Beyond Greens powder will set you back by only $39.99 while a tub of Athletic Greens AG1 will cost you $99. This comes down to a rough cost/portion of $1.3 for Beyond Greens and $3.3 for Athletic AG1 Greens.
Both green powders do however offer a discount if you sign up for their subscription which reduces the cost to $24.99 (cost/serving $0.83) for a tub of Beyond Greens and $79 (cost/portion $2.63) for Athletic Greens respectively.
But, even with the subscription discount, Athletic Greens is more than three times the price of Beyond Greens and is amongst the most expensive greens formulas you can find.
That being said, Athletic Greens is widely regarded as one of the best greens powders money can buy.
It's a much more diverse and nutritionally complete powder with 75 different ingredients and has multiple seals of approval from third-party testers. It may be well worth the extra investment for some, especially if you want the peace of mind of filling all of your 'nutritional gaps' or if you're looking to push yourself at the gym or in your sport.
Furthermore, you also get a 90-day money-back guarantee, a free starter kit with a premium jar and shaker, as well as 5 free travel packs with a monthly subscription to Athletic Greens.
| Click here for Athletic Greens AG1 | Click here for Beyond Greens |
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about greens powders that might help you on your journey:
Are Greens Powders Worth It?
In our opinion, the answer to this question is a resounding “Yes.” Greens powders are a great way to increase your intake of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. They’re also a convenient way to get these nutrients if you don’t have time to eat enough fruits and vegetables regularly.
How To Use Green Powders?
Green powders can be taken in a number of ways. You can mix them with water or juice, add them to smoothies, or even bake them into recipes!
When Is The Best Time To Take Green Powders?
There is no definitive answer as to when the best time to take greens powders is. Some people prefer to take them in the morning, others take them before or after workouts.
Still, it’s always best to take them on an empty stomach for optimal absorption. But, ultimately, it’s up to you and what works best for you.
How Much Green Powder Should I Take?
Most people recommend 1-2 servings per day. However, if you’re new to taking greens powders, it’s best to start with 1 serving per day and see how your body reacts before increasing the dosage.
Do Greens Powders Have Any Side Effects?
Greens powders are generally safe to take and have no known side effects. However, if you suffer from any underlying health conditions or are taking medication, it’s always best to speak to your doctor before starting any new supplement.
Can I Take a Greens Powder Every Day?
Yes, you can safely take a greens powder every day. In fact, many people find that taking a greens powder daily helps them improve their energy levels, digestion, and overall health.
Do I Need to Refrigerate My Greens Powder?
No, you don’t need to refrigerate your greens powder. However, if you would like to store it for longer periods of time and extend the shelf life of your powder, it’s always best to keep it in a cool, dark place.
Can Greens Powders Lead To Weight Gain?
No, greens powders usually will not lead to weight gain as most formulas are only about 50 calories per serving.
As a matter of fact, they may even help you lose weight as some of them contain ingredients like B vitamins that have been shown to support metabolism and promote fat loss.
Can I Take Green Powders When Fasting?
If you’re on a strict fast, then the answer’s “No” as technically any calorie intake can break a fast. But, if you’re fasting intermittently, then greens powders can be a great way to support your body outside the fasting period.
Are Greens Powders Suitable For Vegans?
Yes, there are many greens powders that are suitable for vegans. Athletic Greens AG1 and Beyond Greens are some examples of vegan-friendly powders as they’re made using vegan-friendly ingredients.
Our Pick: Athletic Greens AG1
Even though neither of them can be considered a complete replacement for consuming whole meals with fruits and vegetables, Athletic Greens is our pick for the best greens powder out of the two.
In our opinion, Athletic Greens is the better choice as it's clearly and transparently tested by third-party and trusted organizations like NSF International - and most of the ingredients are in appropriate doses as recommended by a number of recent clinical studies.
This gives us greater confidence in the product and offers a higher level of assurance that it actually contains the ingredients mentioned on the label - and that it can better deliver on its health claims.
So, despite the difference in cost, the value of Athletic Greens AG1 comes from the fact that we can always be sure that it has all the vitamins, antioxidants, and plant foods listed on the label (note: they also offer a separate and complimentary Vitamin D3+K2 supplement).
| Click here for Athletic Greens AG1 | Click here for Beyond Greens |
If you're looking for a super high-quality greens powder that offers a suite of health benefits to cover your nutritional bases and help you get the most out of each day, Athletic Greens is arguably a much better choice overall.
