Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables is an important factor in overall health, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 12% of U.S. adults consume the required daily amounts.
While it’s important to focus on fresh produce to meet your nutritional and mineral needs, green powders can help increase absorption.
To determine the best green powders, Forbes Health asked a panel of experts to share their favorite product choices and explain why they chose their favorites. Star ratings are determined solely by editors based on factors such as cost, third-party certification and available flavors.
Here you’ll find the best advice from our experts, as well as information on what green powders are and how they can complement a balanced diet.
Stunning grass green combination
$1.20 per serving
Contains seven types of vegetables, two servings of fruits and vegetables, probiotics and more
Available flavors: original, berry
Nested Naturals Super Greens
$0.83 per serving
Contains spirulina, chlorella, probiotics, etc.
Optional flavors: original, chocolate
HealthForce Superfood Vitamin Green Powder
$1.09 per serving
Contains spirulina, chlorella, seaweed leaves, nettle leaves, etc.
Available in capsule form
Blooming greens and superfoods
$1.33 per serving
Contains 30 types of fruits and vegetables, probiotics, digestive enzymes, etc.
Available flavors: original, mango, berry, citrus, coconut
Garden of Life Original Organic Perfect Foods Green Superfoods
$1.14 per serving
Contains organic vegetables, bean sprouts, vegetable juice, probiotics, etc.
Optional flavors: original, apple, chocolate
Healthy vitality, green vitality
$1.37 per serving
Contains prebiotics, digestive enzymes, cereal grasses, and more
Methodology: How We Choose the Best Green Powders of 2023
For the best green powders of 2023, Forbes Health asked our panel of experts for their best advice and reasoning. Star rankings range from 1 to 5 and are determined by our editorial team based on consumer-related factors such as cost, third-party testing and available flavors.
What is green powder?
Green powders are dietary supplements that typically contain a combination of vegetables, fruits, seaweed, or grasses that have been processed and distilled into powder form. They typically consist of 25 to 40 or more ingredients, and natural sugar substitutes may be added to improve taste.
Green powders are growing in popularity – a 2022 industry research report predicted that the global green powder market will grow by 12% by 2028[3]. However, there is a lack of recent high-quality peer-reviewed research to support its effectiveness as a dietary supplement.
Important Ingredients to Look for in Green Powders
Green powders often contain a variety of fruits, vegetables, and other plants, as well as other health-promoting properties, such as prebiotics, prebiotics, and digestive enzymes. When choosing vegetable powder, you may come across the following powdered ingredients:
- Vegetables: Green powders on our list include leafy greens like spinach and kale, as well as other vegetables like carrots, broccoli, beets, asparagus, and more. The vegetables contained in leafy green powder are a source of nutrients such as vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, iron, fiber and potassium.
- Fruit: Green powders often contain fruit extracts or fruit powders such as rosehip, pineapple, acai, strawberry, blueberry, and apple. These fruits are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
- Seaweed: Many green powders contain algae and algae, such as spirulina, chlorella, seaweed and nori, which contain fiber and promote gut health. Seaweed also contains disease-fighting antioxidants like polyphenols and carotenoids, which protect the body from free radicals, pollution, and harmful UV rays.
- Roots and Herbs: Milk thistle, echinacea, dandelion, holy basil, ginger, and turmeric are also commonly found in green powders. These roots and herbs can provide a variety of benefits, including supporting the immune system, improving digestion, and reducing anxiety, stress, and inflammation.
- Seeds: Many green powder recipes contain flax seeds and chia seeds, which are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which may promote heart health and reduce inflammation. Some green powders may also contain sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds, which provide nutrients such as magnesium, fiber, and iron.
- Grains: Quinoa, barley, and rice are often added to green powders as sources of fiber. These grains are also an excellent source of magnesium, B vitamins, folate, phosphorus and manganese.
- Prebiotics and probiotics: Green powders often contain a variety of prebiotics derived from foods such as seaweed and asparagus, as well as probiotic supplements. Prebiotics are non-digestible ingredients that promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the digestive system, while probiotics are live microorganisms that help digest food and relieve certain gastrointestinal conditions such as gas, bloating, and constipation.
- Digestive Enzymes: Green powders often contain digestive enzymes that help break down proteins, carbohydrates, and fats, and can also help treat certain gastrointestinal conditions, such as lactose intolerance and cystic fibrosis.
What is the function of mung bean powder?
Green powders provide an additional source of foods such as fruits and vegetables in the diet. Some may also contain probiotics, or live microorganisms, that can help digest food, destroy disease-causing cells, or act as a sugar substitute to sweeten foods. drink.
Green Powder Health Benefits
In general, green powders can provide another source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. For example, dark leafy green vegetables like kale and spinach, which are commonly found in vegetable powders, are rich in vitamins A, C, E and K, according to the USDA.
However, some nutritionists are skeptical about recommending green powders.
“For a generally healthy person, you can add green powders to your diet to increase your vegetable intake,” says Alyssa Pike, a registered dietitian with the International Food Information Council in Washington. “But it’s best to prioritize whole fruits, vegetables and other nutrient-dense foods.”
Possible disadvantages
While green powders provide a variety of health-promoting nutrients and help increase vegetable intake, some ingredients can also cause unwanted side effects.
Probiotics can cause gastrointestinal symptoms, such as bloating or bloating, and may cause more serious side effects (such as infection or harmful bacterial growth) in people with severely weakened immune systems. Taking prebiotics in people with irritable bowel syndrome can also exacerbate side effects, such as bloating, bloating, and diarrhea.
Certain herbs found in many green powders may also cause side effects or interact with medications. For example, when taken with medications that slow blood clotting, such as aspirin and warfarin, holy basil can interfere with the body’s ability to form blood clots and cause bleeding. Meanwhile, echinacea can cause dizziness, fatigue, headaches, or stomach upset, and may cause allergic reactions in people who are allergic to certain plants.
Additionally, since green powders are generally not regulated by the FDA, it can be difficult to determine the safety and effectiveness of a specific product. Talk to your doctor to decide if you should add green powder to your daily routine.