Super Greens Powders Reviews [What to Consider]

Although nutrition can be confusing, most of us can agree that when it comes to a healthy diet, we could all benefit from consuming more dark green vegetables. We all know that green vegetables are high in important vitamins and minerals, but many of us struggle to reach our recommended daily intake of these important foods. Whether it's due to lack of time, access, planning, or confidence in the kitchen, needing a little support to boost your vegetable intake is nothing to be embarrassed about. In fact, an estimated 90% of American adults don’t eat nearly close enough to the recommended daily amount of vegetables. If this sounds like you, it might be worth considering adding a super greens powder supplement to your daily routine to boost your nutrient intake and help you rest assured that your diet is as nutrient-dense as possible.

Greens powders are not a direct substitute for fresh vegetables, but this doesn’t mean that they’re not beneficial. These supplements are easy to take (just mix a scoop with your liquid of choice, and it’s ready to drink) and are often quite delicious. 

So if you’ve wondered whether super greens powders are something you should consider taking, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’re going to take a deep dive into what super greens powders are, their potential health benefits, and give you a peek at Curated’s favorite super greens powders that we think you might like.

What are Super Greens?

Greens powders are a dietary supplement containing a blend of dried and powdered forms of different fruits and vegetables. These supplements are designed to help individuals achieve their daily recommended amount of vegetable intake, which many struggle to reach. Although greens powders are not a direct substitute for whole fruits and vegetables (which are much higher in important nutrients like fiber), they can be a beneficial addition to increasing the nutrient density of your diet.

To create greens powders, manufacturers use a few different techniques like dehydrating and drying before making a powder, or juicing to extract nutrients before drying and creating a powder. It is also possible that a greens powder supplement might use all of the methods listed above. Although there is no significant nutrient difference between methods, the taste is often impacted. You might also find that some greens powders also include sprouted or fermented ingredients, which helps to boost nutrient availability.

Greens powder supplements often contain a range of different ingredients depending on the brand, and are not limited to greens. In fact, many greens powders choose to include various fruits, sweeteners, fibers, digestive enzymes, and probiotics to increase nutrient bioavailability and improve the taste. Common ingredients include:

• Kale

• Spinach

• Chlorella

• Spirulina

• Wheatgrass

• Kelp

• Alfalfa grass 

• Barley grass

• Broccoli and broccoli extract

• Collard greens

• Goji Berries

• Acai Berries

• Parsley

• Beets

• Cabbage

• Oat grass

• Dulse

• Herbs like holy basil, milk thistle, ashwagandha

• Adaptogenic mushroom extracts like turkey tail and shiitake mushroom

• Additional fiber like apple fiber and rice bran

• Probiotics

• Digestive enzymes

• Natural sweeteners like stevia and monk fruit

As you can see, the ingredient label of greens powders can vary significantly between brands as there are many different possible combinations that can create these nutrient-dense powders. This can make choosing the right greens powder confusing. Thankfully, you can do some easy things to ensure you’re selecting the best quality supplement possible. Keep reading to learn more about why super greens can be an important addition to your diet, and what to look for on the label to make sure you’re choosing the best quality powder possible.

Why are Super Greens Important for Your Diet?

Although greens powders are not a direct substitute for whole vegetables in the diet, many potential benefits are associated with regular consumption of super greens powders.

For starters, greens powders are typically a great source of beneficial plant compounds like antioxidants and polyphenols. Antioxidants are nutrients that work hard to fight free radicals in the body and reduce oxidative damage, two components directly correlated with an increased risk of chronic disease. Polyphenols are antioxidant-containing compounds that also work to protect the body from oxidative stress, reduce inflammation, and decrease chronic disease risk. Regular consumption of super greens powders is an easy way to increase antioxidant levels in the body, and thus may be a beneficial way to decrease your risk of chronic disease development later in life.

Additionally, greens powders are often high in essential vitamins and minerals as vegetables are one of the best available sources of vitamins in the diet. Because of their convenience, greens powders are an easy way to ensure you’re getting enough of those valuable vitamins and minerals. And as a bonus, you’re likely getting a wide variety of different nutrients as greens powders can be upwards of 40 different types of vegetables, providing much more variety than the average person consumes in a week. Greens powders tend to be especially rich sources of the following nutrients: vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin A, and the B vitamins.

Finally, super greens powders may support the body’s natural detoxification processes. Some nutrients included in super greens powders may support a healthy detoxification process by supporting cellular health and liver function. For example, spirulina and chlorella are common ingredients in greens powders that are well known for their detoxification supporting properties. Both bind to heavy metals in the body, support the liver, and support optimal cognitive function—all things necessary in overall health. Other common foods, like cruciferous vegetables, support glutathione production, which is an important antioxidant involved in detoxification and liver health.

What Should I Look for in Super Greens Powders?

A base of dark green vegetables. This one isn’t very shocking given the name, but greens powders wouldn’t have their characteristic green color without the addition of dark green vegetables. High in nutrients while low in calories, dark green vegetables are an important component of all diets.

An organic label. Although it’s unnecessary for every food you buy to be organic, organic greens powders are likely worth spending a little extra money on. Conventionally grown fruits and vegetables tend to be high in harmful pesticides and chemicals, which can wreak havoc on your health over time. By purchasing organic, you limit your pesticide consumption, and thus decrease your risk for unwanted health symptoms down the road.

Other fruits and berries. Many types of fruit, especially berries, are great sources of antioxidants which are essential for supporting a healthy and functioning immune system. Regular consumption of antioxidants decreases oxidative stress, supports healthy aging, and reduces your risk for many chronic diseases4. 

Prebiotics and probiotics. Prebiotics and probiotics are not always included in super greens powders, but if you’re looking for extra digestive support, finding one that includes these nutrients might be beneficial. Probiotics nourish the microbiome by increasing microbial diversity, while prebiotics provide food, nourishment, and help to those beneficial microbes.

Adaptogenic herbs. Herbs like ashwagandha, ginseng, reishi, and holy basil are sometimes added to greens powders, and are thought to support how the body handles and reacts to stressors. These nutrients “adapt” to support your body’s needs at the moment, making them a bonus health-boosting nutrient you might find in some powders.

Although there are many benefits to greens powders, it is important to remember that they are often low-calorie and lacking in essential macronutrients. This means that greens powders should not be used as a meal replacement, and should be thought of as a supplement to a balanced diet rich in whole, unprocessed foods. Additionally, because of their often “grassy” or “earthy” flavor, many manufacturers may add natural sweeteners to mask the taste and increase sweetness which is something to consider when choosing which supplement is right for you.

Super Greens Powder Reviews

Garden of Life Perfect Food Super Green Formula

Perfect Foods Original by Garden of Life is an excellent option for a super greens powder. It is unique as it includes 45 phytonutrient-dense superfoods, sprouted nutrients to increase nutrient density, and soil-based probiotics and enzymes that support a healthy digestive system. In addition, it contains no flavors, preservatives, stevia, or artificial colors, and is also organic, which means you can rest assured that you’re getting the best quality ingredients possible. It also contains spirulina, chlorella, and kelp, three nutrient-dense sea vegetables that are thought to support cellular health and the body’s natural detoxification processes. Finally, this formula contains not only greens, but other nutrient-dense foods, including grains, seeds, legumes, digestive enzymes, green grasses, and micro-algae. 

While this is a great option for those struggling to get enough green vegetables, it might not be right for those who experience sensitivities to foods like grains, seeds, and legumes, or for those following diets that limit their intake.

Davinci Labs Spectra Greens

Davinci’s Spectra Greens, like other super greens powders, is composed of a variety of nutrient-rich vegetables, fruits, herbal extracts, and herbs. In addition to the commonly included ingredients, Davinci Labs has included nutrients like Chlorella, Royal Jelly, and Bee Pollen to their blend, making this product unique. Davinci’s product boasts its ability to support a healthy detoxification process, much of which is due to the inclusion of cracked-cell chlorella. Chlorella has been shown to bind to a variety of heavy metals and other compounds, and thus helps to remove them from the body. In addition to detoxification benefits, this product is a great option for those looking to boost their immune system and antioxidant intake. Both royal jelly and bee pollen are high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds, which are both essential for supporting a healthy functioning immune system. Spectra Greens also includes probiotics, apple pectin, and digestive enzymes for additional digestive support.

One potential con for Davinci Labs Spectra Greens is that it includes stevia for added sweetness, which may not be ideal for everyone.

Barlean’s Organic Oils Greens Organic Powder

Barlean’s Organic Oils is well known for the great quality oils they produce, and many people likely don’t realize that they also have a great organic greens powder to offer. Unlike many other super greens powders, Barlean’s ingredients label is much smaller, making it easier to sift through what you are actually getting. Their organic greens blend is well rounded and includes a blend of oat grass, wheatgrass, barley grass, alfalfa grass, spinach leaf, spirulina, chlorella, and parsley leaf. Additionally, their product includes a unique blend of Jerusalem artichoke inulin and defatted flaxseed to increase the amount of beneficial fiber. And finally, Barlean’s chose to add antioxidant-rich ingredients like apple powder, acerola cherry extract, matcha green tea leaf, acai berry extract, blueberry fruit, rosemary leaf, and turmeric root to boost the blend’s antioxidant power.

It is worth noting that Barlean’s Greens Organic Powder does include stevia as a sweetener, which might not be ideal for those wishing to avoid it.

Although super greens powders are a great and convenient way to increase nutrient consumption and diversity in your diet, just as with any supplement, it is impossible to out-supplement poor dietary and lifestyle choices by regularly consuming a super greens powder. They are best used to supplement a diet rich in whole foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, organic dairy, and protein-rich foods. If you think you would benefit from adding a super greens powder to your routine, consider trying out the brands listed above—we think you’ll like them!

Not sure which super greens powder is the right fit for you and looking for more specialized support? Our functional nutritional practitioners can build a personalized plan and select the right supplements that will be the best fit for your body. Click here to get started! 

About the Author

Emily Alexander, M.Ed, FNTP—Emily is a Nutritional Therapy Practitioner with Curated Wellness. She is passionate about supporting others in their journey to improve their relationship with food and their body through gentle nutrition, and is a firm believer that understanding the bio-individual components of nutrition is one of the best ways to do so. Emily completed her Master’s of education in health education and promotion with a concentration in eating disorders, and draws from both her educational background and life experience to help her clients improve their energy, understand their bodies, boost their athletic potential, and break down diet myths one at a time. Read more about Emily.

The information presented on this website is intended for educational purposes only. Statements within this site have not been evaluated or approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This content is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any specific condition or disease, nor is it medical advice and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise. Readers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health conditions or concerns. One should always consult a qualified medical professional before engaging in any dietary and/or lifestyle change or new health program. Curated Wellness does not take responsibility for any health consequences of any person or persons following the information in this educational content. 

References

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