Athletic Greens AG1 review: Is it worth trying?

Pros of Athletic Greens

When taking a greens powder with an array of vitamins and minerals like Athletic Greens, you may feel improvements in energy or overall health if you were deficient in any minerals before using. However, experts report that you would benefit from receiving your vitamins and nutrients from food rather than supplements for optimal health benefits. Although in groups at risk of malnutrition, such as older adults, multivitamin products do show the promise of helping to support improvements in memory. Not to mention that research shows that high doses of vitamin B6 may help reduce symptoms of anxiety in some people. 

What to consider

Just like many things in life, too much of a good thing can be harmful. Research shows that high doses of antioxidants like vitamins A, C, and E may actually aggravate oxidative stress or damage cells, which may, in turn, negatively impact heart health. Also, high doses of green tea extract above the recommended 338 mg EGCG daily may cause adverse effects on liver health over time. Finally, high doses of licorice root extract over time can negatively impact heart health. Therefore, it is vital to check with your healthcare provider before starting any new dietary supplement to be sure it is right and safe for you. 

When it comes to taste and texture, some consumers complain of an earthy taste and grainy texture that is not palatable. Meanwhile, some consumers say that while there is a sweet undertone to the taste of the AG1 powder mixed in water, it can have a displeasing aftertaste. Other consumers report that this displeasing taste is difficult to mask in a smoothie. 

Therefore, you should try the AG1 as a one-off purchase versus signing up for a subscription so you can try it first. There is a 60-day money-back guarantee for opened or unopened packages, so you can contact customer service if you do not like AG1 after trying it. Unfortunately, there were no offers for a trial sample of AG1 to avoid having to invest $79 upfront to try it. 

Is AG1 worth it?

No one supplement will work for everyone; therefore, whether AG1 is worth it for you will depend on how it impacts you. If you are deficient in vitamins and minerals, and you find that taking AG1 makes you feel more energy, then it’s worth it for you to continue taking it. However, if you have a sensitive digestive system and/or experience uncomfortable side effects while taking AG1, then you may be better off trying a different method, such as another dietary supplement product or changes in your daily eating routine to help you meet your nutritional needs daily. The important thing to remember is to stick to consuming things that make your body feel its healthiest and best. 

And when it comes to financial worth, AG1 may not fit everyone’s budget. Since this is a product that would replace a daily multivitamin, you have to keep in mind the cost per day of AG1 is close to $3 daily, or around $90 per month. If you feel this fits in your budget without impacting your ability to purchase food, medicines, and other important expenses, then go for it. However, if your budget is limited, then it may be best to visit your healthcare provider and have lab testing done to see if you are deficient in any nutrients. Then, from that data, you and your healthcare provider can decide which nutrients you may need to take a supplement for to help you reach recommended levels. 

FAQ

Is there a cheaper option to Athletic Greens?

There are other green powders on the market that are cheaper than AG!, but they do not contain the concentration or diversity of vitamins and minerals that AG1 does. And you could buy probiotics and multivitamins separately for cheaper than the cost of AG1. However, it would be hard to obtain the diverse array of extracts and synbiotics in AG1 at a price cheaper than AG1. Not to mention that sourcing all the ingredients in AG1 separately would be time-consuming. 

Do you take Athletic Greens every day?

Per instructions on the AG1 website, you should take one scoop of AG1 mixed well in cold water daily. Think of AG1 as a multivitamin alternative that you would take daily to fill in any nutritional gaps. Some consumers say that they mix it with their morning smoothie to help them take it daily. Meanwhile, the AG1 website recommends adding a squeeze of lemon juice or adding AG1 to oat milk to help make it more palatable. 

Are there side effects to Athletic Greens?

According to consumer reviews, some people experience digestive side effects like upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, bloating and diarrhea. Other consumers report symptoms like increased heart rate, skin flushing and itching. Also, some consumers with gluten intolerance report a trigger of gluten-related symptoms after taking AG1, and such symptoms resolve after stopping their intake of AG1. 

If you experience any of the above symptoms after taking AG1 or other side effects not noted, then stop taking AG1 right away and contact a healthcare professional to help you figure out what the cause of your symptoms was. Your healthcare provider can then help recommend an alternative vitamin and mineral product that may be better suited for you. 

References

1. Zhang, F.F., Barr, S.I., McNulty, H., Li, D., and Blumberg, J.B. (June 2020) “Health effects of vitamin and mineral supplements.” BMJ, 369:m2511. doi: 10.1136/bmj.m2511. PMID: 32601065; PMCID: PMC7322674. Retrieved from
2. Yeung, L.K., Alschuler, D.M., Wall, M., Luttmann-Gibson, H., Copeland, T., Hale, C., Sloan, R.P., Sesso, H.D., Manson, J.E., and Brickman, A.M. (July 2023) “Multivitamin Supplementation Improves Memory in Older Adults: A Randomized Clinical Trial.” Am J Clin Nutr., 118(1):273-282. doi: 10.1016/j.ajcnut.2023.05.011. Epub 2023 May 24. PMID: 37244291; PMCID: PMC10375458. Retrieved from
3. Field, D.T., Cracknell, R.O., Eastwood, J.R., Scarfe, P., Williams, C.M., Zheng, Y., and Tavassoli, T. (November 2022) “High-dose Vitamin B6 supplementation reduces anxiety and strengthens visual surround suppression.” Hum Psychopharmacol., 37(6):e2852. doi: 10.1002/hup.2852. Epub 2022 Jul 19. PMID: 35851507; PMCID: PMC9787829. Retrieved from
4. Li, S., Fasipe, B., and Laher, I. (October 2022) “Potential harms of supplementation with high doses of antioxidants in athletes.” J Exerc Sci Fit., 20(4):269-275. doi: 10.1016/j.jesf.2022.06.001. Epub 2022 Jun 11. PMID: 35812825; PMCID: PMC9241084. Retrieved from
5. Hu, J., Webster, D., Cao, J., and Shao, A. (June 2018) “The safety of green tea and green tea extract consumption in adults – Results of a systematic review.” Regul Toxicol Pharmacol., 95:412-433. doi: 10.1016/j.yrtph.2018.03.019. Epub 2018 Mar 24. PMID: 29580974. Retrieved from
6. Wahab, S., Annadurai, S., Abullais, S.S., Das, G., Ahmad, W., Ahmad, M.F., Kandasamy, G., Vasudevan, R., Ali, M.S., and Amir, M. (December 2021) “Glycyrrhiza glabra (Licorice): A Comprehensive Review on Its Phytochemistry, Biological Activities, Clinical Evidence and Toxicology.” Plants (Basel), 10(12):2751. doi: 10.3390/plants10122751. PMID: 34961221; PMCID: PMC8703329. Retrieved from