People love convenience and are willing to do or consume something that epitomizes efficiency. It’s no wonder that the latest health trend, then, comes in the form of green powders. These powders attract a lot of people because they claim to help clear up skin, boost energy levels, and improve gut health. Not to mention, most people don’t eat enough vegetables, let alone green vegetables, and these powders help you reach your recommended daily vegetable intake.
TikTokers, Instagram influencers, celebrities, and podcasters all endorse various green powders. Some say that they incorporate the powders into their daily routines, energizing them throughout the day. The most popular brand, Athletic Greens, has prominent celebrity investors like Hugh Jackman, Steve Aoki, and Cindy Crawford. Just because celebrities endorse this product, is it really the ultimate vegetable source people have been waiting for?
What Are Green Powders?
Green powders are plant-based supplements that you mix in water, smoothies, or other liquids to help increase your daily intake of vegetables. It’s possible to mix them into soups, dips, or even homemade salad dressings. They tend to have a dark green hue and can taste quite bitter, which is why some people enjoy adding natural sugars (stevia, agave, or maple syrup) to improve flavor. One of the biggest selling points of these powders is that they contain myriad superfoods, which help to boost immunity and promote detoxification. While the ingredients change from brand to brand, common ingredients include:
- Leafy greens (spinach, kale, collards)
- Grasses (barley grass, wheatgrass, alfalfa grass)
- Other vegetables (broccoli, carrots, beets, cabbage)
- Herbs (holy basil, astragalus, echinacea)
- Antioxidant-rich fruit (blueberries, goji berries, acai berries)
- Nutritional extracts (green tea extract, ginkgo biloba extract)
- Mushrooms (maitake, shiitake)
- Probiotics
- Plant-based digestive enzymes
The produce items in these powders are typically dried and then ground into a fine powder. Some ingredients may be juiced or dehydrated, while others are simply whole food extracts.
What Do Green Powders Do?
The idea is that green powders give you a full serving a fruits and vegetables, providing the body with the essential nutrients it needs. It’s common for people to experience nutritional deficiencies, which is why these powders are attractive. The ingredients in these powders are nutritionally dense, but the nutrition varies based on ingredients. They don’t satisfy all of the vitamins and minerals you should consume daily, but they are healthy supplements. In fact, many registered dietitians support these powders as great supplements to your daily diet. They provide phytochemicals, minerals, vitamins, and more!
It’s possible that green powders help to boost energy levels, due to their nutritional content. People who are iron deficient may experience less fatigue, as most greens are rich sources of iron. Consuming more iron, then, helps to enhance energy. These powders may also improve digestive and immune function. Your gut will be happy because many green powders contain probiotics, prebiotics, and a blend of digestive enzymes. Improving gut health contributes to healthier immune function, but greens powders often contain a hefty dose of vitamins A & C. These are immune-boosting nutrients that may help the body fight off foreign invaders.
Should You Try Green Powders?
Whether or not you should try green powders will depend on your diet. Some people who need to consume more greens, but don’t know how, will greatly benefit from these types of supplements. It should be noted, though, that whole foods are preferable, as there is no processing involved. Green powders are great if you don’t consume three to five servings of fruits and vegetables every day. If you already meet those nutritional intake requirements, there’s no need to consume green powders.
