AG1 (Formerly Athletic Greens)

• Great brand reputation – recommended by Tim Ferriss, Joe Rogan, and many others
• Amazing taste
• Packed with vitamins and minerals
• “Superfood Complex” containing Ashwagandha, green tea extract, reishi, and more
• NSF-certified with clean manufacturing
• Vegan with no sugar, dairy, nuts, or gluten

Serving Size:  1 scoop
Servings:  30
Price Per Serving: $2.63

If you’ve been a fan of the biohacking world for a while then you’ve probably heard mention of Athletic Greens, or, as it’s been recently rebranded, AG1.

We first heard of this supplement years ago when it was mentioned as one of the sponsors of the Tim Ferriss Podcast, with Tim mentioning that “if he could only take one supplement, it would be Athletic Greens”.

And we agree.

They’ve perfected their formula over the course of a decade, and as you can see in the nutritional info below they’ve managed to pack a ton of vitamins and minerals into the one-scoop serving, effectively offering you a nutritional insurance plan if you can’t get a fully adequate diet of fruits and vegetables.

And even if your diet is on point, AG1 is still worth taking for it’s antioxidant blend and their “Superfood Blend” containing notable adaptogens like ashwagandha, reishi, green tea extract, and many other great ingredients.

On top of all that, the blend mixes well and tastes great. We typically drink a scoop mixed with cold water first thing in the morning and honestly look forward to it every day.

And with a price point that’s less than a cup of coffee per day, there’s really no downside to it.

The list of ingredients is extensive but here’s a few of our favorite highlights:

Vitamins –

• Alpha lipoic acid – to help convert glucose into energy and support cardiovascular health.
• Biotin – a B-vitamin which helps support healthy hair, skin, and nails, Biotin acts as an essential cofactor which allows enzymes to work more efficiently.
• CoQ10 – Co-enzyme Q-10 is a fat soluble molecule that is in nearly all bodily tissues. It helps to support heart health and reduce fatigue.
• Methylcobalamin B12 – The most bio-available form of B12, methylcobalamin helps to boost energy and is neuroprotective.
• Niacin (Nicotinamide) – Helps to repair and power brain cells and has been studied for it’s role in regulating cholesterol levels.
• Vitamin A – Crucial for eye health and thyroid function, and also beneficial as an antioxidant for immune function.
• Vitamin K2 –  K2 plays a pivotal role in calcium metabolism and bone health as well as supporting the nervous system and cellular signaling. K2 deficiency is prevalent in the US as sufficient K2 is difficult to get from diet alone.

Minerals – 

•  Calcium carbonate, citrate, and phosphate – Three different bio-available forms of calcium to support not only bone and teeth health but also heart health and nervous system function.
• Magnesium glycinate – Supports maintenance of blood sugar levels within normal range and aids in proper sleep.
• Potassium – with nearly as much potassium as a banana per serving, this greatly aids in reducing muscle cramps.
• Selenium – A key trace mineral that’s critical for our body’s antioxidant defense systems and thyroid hormones, research has linked selenium to immune, cognitive, and cardiovascular function. Selenium deficiency is also shown to affect testosterone levels in men.
• Zinc citrate – Highly-absorbable zinc citrate aids in immune functions and skin health, and also helps to support optimal hormone levels.

Pre/probiotics –

• Inulin – Prebiotic fiber is just as important in supporting the gut biome as prebiotics as they provide a “fuel” for the gut bacteria. Inulin specifically has been linked to up-regulating metabolism and maintaining optimal blood sugar levels.
• Bifidobacterium bifidum – One of the most common probiotics in the human body which aids in digestive health and immune support.
• Lactobacillius acidophilus – A probiotic bacteria which helps to ferment sugars into lactic acid.

Adaptogens – 

• Ashwagandha – Adaptogen that helps fight stress and reduce anxiety, ashwagandha has been used for centuries in Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine.
• Astragalus – Native to Asia, this root contains 126 bioactive compounds which aid in long-term health and longevity.
• Beet powder – Promotes vasodilation which aids in muscular endurance and helps with cardiovascular support.
• Burdock root – Known traditionally as a ‘depurative’ – a purifying, detoxifying herb that supports skin and digestive health.
• Dandelion root – Linked to digestive aid, cardiovascular health, liver and gallbladder health, and urinary support.
• Green tea extract – A powerful antioxidant containing “non-oxidized phenolic compounds” which help counteract the harmful effects of free radicals.
• Policosanol – A natural compound derived from beeswax and sugar cane, policosanol helps to regulate cholesterol and promote weight loss. It’s the “P” in Tim Ferriss’ PAGG weight loss supplement stack.
• Reishi mushroom – Revered as a tonic for wellbeing, longevity, and vitality, reishi has many bioactive compounds which work particularly well in combination with other immune boosting ingredients.

Garden of Life Raw Organic Green Superfood

• Stevia-free
• Mixes well with good taste 
• Low temperature pressed with probiotics and digestion support
• Great blend of vegetable derivatives
• Low cost per serving

Serving Size:  1 scoops
Servings:  30
Price Per Serving: $1.02

Runner up on our list is a great greens supplement from Garden of Life: Raw Organic Green Superfood. 

This greens powder is packed with raw organic greens, sprouts, and vegetables for a great boost of raw energy. The whole foods greens provide naturally occurring antioxidants, digestive enzymes, amino acids, essential fatty acids, and dozens of phytonutrients. 

This helps to support digestion and the immune system, as well as a host of other benefits such as cardiovascular function and liver health. 

Like AG1, Garden of Life also included a great prebiotic and probiotic blend to support a health gut biome, as well as a blend of powerful antioxidants. 

While the dosages of each vitamin and mineral aren’t as high as in AG1 and there are some key components like selenium and methylcobalamin that we’d like to see, and they haven’t included the beneficial adaptogens like, it’s still a great alternative that tastes great and mixes well. 

Nutra Champs Super Greens

• Vegan blend 
• Great taste and mixes well
• Climate pledge friendly 
• Gluten and dairy free
• Prebiotic and probiotic blend

Serving Size: 1 scoop
Servings:  20
Price Per Serving: $0.68

Last but not least on our list is this great budget option from Orgain: Organic Superfoods. 

This is a fairly basic blend of vegetable and fruit powders but still offers a powerful dose of vitamins and minerals derived from sprouts, fruits, berries, veggies, greens, and grasses. 

With a solid dose of probiotics and fiber this blend also helps to support gut health. They’ve also included antioxidants for immune support and liver health. 

The Orgain blend also mixes well and is one of the better tasting budget-friendly green supplements we’ve found. While AG1 definitely offers a much more extensive list of benefits, this is still a great budget option greens supplement.