The 9 Best Greens Powders of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

Where We Stand

Garden of Life Raw Organic Perfect Food Green Superfood tops our list with its comprehensive plant blend rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, complimented with a great taste. If you are looking for a greens powder that includes protein, try Sakara Protein + Greens.

Greens Powders We Also Tested

While these didn't make our top picks, these greens powders are worth mentioning and may also suit your needs.

• Ancient Nutrition Organic Super Greens: We like the flavor of this greens powder, and it's easy to blend. Plus, it's found in many stores so it's a convenient buy. Like some other powders, it does have adaptogens added which may not be best for all.
• Your Super Super Green Mix: This powder ranks high for texture, as it mixes very quickly and thoroughly in water. It also has a pleasant earthy flavor, but it may not be best if you're looking to mask the flavor of greens.
  
• Nested Naturals Super Greens: The chocolate flavor of this powder is overwhelming when mixed with just water and it also left a lot of clumps behind. It could be a good option to blend into smoothies.
  

How We Tested & Selected Greens Powders

Our team works hard to be transparent about why we recommend certain supplements; you can read more about our dietary supplement methodology here. We support supplements that are evidence-based and rooted in science. We value certain product attributes that we find to be associated with the highest quality products.

It's important to note that the FDA does not review dietary supplements for safety and effectiveness before they go to market. Our team of experts has created a detailed, science-backed methodology to choose the supplements we recommend.

In addition to our research, we have tested 39 top-rated greens powders in The Verywell Testing Lab. We tested each product by mixing one serving with eight ounces of water (or the recommended amount) in a glass cup with a spoon. We reviewed each greens powder for flavor, aftertaste, texture, smell, and value, recognizing that this can be subjective and differ between individuals.

Our nutrition editors analyzed all of the greens powders for nutritional value and third-party testing. To determine the nutrition ranking, we looked at nutrient content, quality of ingredients and also additional ingredients, such as adaptogens. We also considered third-party testing and associated certifications for purity and potency. We combined these scores with the taste testing scores to arrive at a total score for each product.

Are Greens Powders Good for You?

Greens powders offer a blend of essential vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that support overall health. They often include unique ingredients like spirulina and chlorella, known for their potential benefits but typically only found in powder form. However, the mix of ingredients can vary widely between brands, which means the health benefits may differ, too.

Some small studies have shown that greens powders might offer health benefits, such as lowering blood pressure, while studies looking at whether greens powders can increase energy have shown no benefit.

Fruit and vegetable powders may increase blood levels of vitamins and certain antioxidants, like carotenoids. Carotenoids reduce the risk of certain cancers, age-related macular degeneration, and cardiovascular disease.

However, more research is needed to understand greens powders and whether or not they offer genuine benefits. Keep in mind that a great deal of the benefits of fruits and vegetables is offering nutrients in combination with dietary fiber, and greens powders usually offer little to no fiber. Greens powders cannot replace a well-balanced, varied diet, but they may be helpful to some people who aren't getting enough nutrients through food.

Greens powders may be beneficial for:

• People who don't eat many fruits and vegetables: "For those who may not like vegetables, greens powders may be a great alternative," says Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD. Although greens powders aren't an exact replacement for eating green vegetables (and other nutrient-rich produce), they can provide important nutrients to support health that may otherwise be missing.
• People who travel frequently: It can sometimes be challenging to eat enough produce when you're constantly on the go, and greens powders can be an easy, portable way to meet some of your vitamin and mineral needs.
• Some athletes: "Prolonged high-intensity exercise can increase vitamin and mineral needs. Some athletes have trouble meeting even their baseline nutrient needs, let alone an increased amount for optimal recovery," says Osburn. If you're a competitive athlete and decide to use a greens powder, be sure to choose a third-party tested product and free from any banned ingredients for your sport.
• People with decreased absorption: People with certain illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease may have lower nutrient absorption. In these cases, a greens powder may help you achieve higher nutrient needs. However, be sure that there aren't any ingredients that can make your digestive problem worse.
• People undergoing surgery: Emerging research suggests that fruit and vegetable powders could aid in recovery from surgery. This may be especially beneficial for people undergoing oral surgery or other surgeries that limit the ability to consume whole fruits and vegetables.

Who May Not Benefit From Greens Powders

The ingredients in greens powders vary significantly, so it's important to thoroughly read the label to make sure it's safe for you. Most greens powders contain more than just leafy green vegetables. Many contain grasses and alfalfa sprouts that could interact with medications or worsen some health concerns.

While they are often marketed as "food," greens powders are a supplement, and even food-based ingredients can be problematic for certain people in the quantities included. Also, because there is so much variation between products, a greens powder that is helpful for one person may not be good for another. The following people should be very cautious when considering a greens powder.

• People taking prescription medications: Most greens powders include high amounts of vitamin K, which can interact with various prescription medications. "Medications it may interact with include blood thinners, cholesterol-lowering medications, antacids, and those controlling seizures," says Akhaphong.
• Pregnant or breastfeeding people: Many ingredients, such as adaptogenic herbs, prebiotics and probiotics, and digestive enzymes, are not well-studied in pregnant and breastfeeding people, so we don't know if they are safe. If you're taking a prenatal vitamin, adding a greens powder with added vitamins and minerals could lead to getting too much of some nutrients. We recommend Perelel Synbiotic Greens Powder as a pregnancy and breastfeeding safe choice.
• People with end-stage kidney disease: "Depending on the product, a serving may contain 140 to 350 milligrams of potassium. Individuals with end-stage kidney disease may not be able to tolerate large amounts of potassium as the kidneys have a hard time removing excess potassium from their blood. A build-up of potassium, called hyperkalemia, may cause issues like dizziness, nausea, numbness, and a slow heart rate," says Akhaphong.
• People with a wheat allergy: Most greens powders contain wheatgrass, which may be problematic for anyone with a wheat allergy. Of note, wheatgrass is typically harvested before the seed sprouts on the wheat, meaning it is usually gluten-free. However, anyone with celiac disease or who avoids gluten should choose a product that is certified gluten-free.
• Professional and collegiate athletes: While greens powders can be a helpful way to add nutrients to an athlete's diet, some supplements may contain ingredients that are banned for sport. "Not all greens powders are third-party tested, so it is especially important for athletes that may be drug tested to avoid using greens powders without proper third-party testing," says Osburn. Look for one that is NSF Certified for Sport, one of the most rigorous third-party testing certifications.
• People with digestive disorders: Many greens powders contain ingredients that can worsen digestive problems. People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who have trouble digesting certain carbohydrates, known as FODMAPs, may have trouble with greens powders. "Greens powders may contain FODMAPs like inulin or FODMAP-rich ingredients like some fruits and vegetables," says Akhaphong. Probiotics and other prebiotics can also worsen some digestive symptoms.
• People taking other vitamin and mineral supplements: If you're taking a multivitamin or other vitamin or mineral supplement, check to make sure that you won't be consuming too much of any one nutrient. Most nutrients in supplement form (including in greens powders) can cause negative—or even dangerous—side effects when you consume too much. Review the Tolerable Upper Limits set by the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements.

What to Look for in Greens Powders

Third-Party Testing

Third-party-tested supplements are sent to an outside lab, where they are tested for purity and potency to ensure they contain what they say they contain and do not contain any potential contaminants. Trusted third-party certifications include ConsumerLab.com, NSF, USP, and Informed Choice. However, these certifications can be difficult to obtain and expensive for manufacturers, so many companies choose not to get their products tested. If you're selecting a supplement that does not have third-party testing, we recommend choosing a trusted brand that does rigorous internal testing.

Some greens powders may be contaminated with heavy metals like lead. Children and pregnant people are more susceptible to the potentially harmful effects of consuming high levels of heavy metals.

Greens powders could also contain ingredients banned in high-level competitive sports, so finding one that is third-party explicitly tested for sport, such as NSF Certified for Sport, is vital for any competitive athlete.

Form

Greens powders are typically a mix of powdered leafy greens, vegetables, fruits, and extracts. They can also contain seaweed (like spirulina), probiotics, enzymes, and herbs, and some have the addition of protein powder. While some powders contain high amounts of vitamins and minerals, there isn't research to understand the bioavailability (how much your body can absorb) of these nutrients in this form. It could be more or less than eating fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables.

Ingredients & Potential Interactions

Because greens powders have not been thoroughly researched and don't contain standardized ingredients, we're very selective with the brands we recommend.

Pay attention to the following ingredients that may be in greens powders:

• Adaptogens, like reishi mushrooms, Rhodiola, and ashwagandha: Greens powders that have adaptogens may warrant caution for those on medications, pregnant, or breastfeeding.

For example, reishi mushrooms may interact with blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, and certain cancer treatments. Rhodiola or ashwagandha may interact with several antidepressants, blood pressure medications, diabetes medications, thyroid medications, cholesterol medications, immunosuppressants, and many other drugs broken down in the liver. We suggest talking with a healthcare provider before taking supplements with adaptogens if you take any medications—even ones not listed here. In addition, the safety of adaptogen supplements during pregnancy and breastfeeding is not well known.

• Digestive enzymes: In general, digestive enzymes provide no benefit to healthy people. While more research is needed, digestive enzymes also appear to provide little to no benefit to those with digestive disorders unless there is a known enzyme deficiency. "Digestive enzymes are best suited for those with diagnosed enzyme deficiencies such as lactose intolerance or other known digestive conditions that may cause symptoms like gas or bloating after eating certain foods. If you have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, taking a separate digestive enzyme supplement that targets your specific issue is recommended," says Finkel.
• Probiotics: Many greens powder contain low levels of probiotics—about the amount you'd find in yogurt. While you've probably heard probiotics are beneficial, there are many different types of probiotics and no clear recommendations around which strains, strain combinations, or doses the general population should take. Specific probiotic strains have been clinically shown to improve a few gastrointestinal conditions, but these aren't the ones you'd find in a greens powder, says Finkel. That said, certain probiotics can also worsen some digestive conditions.

How Much To Take

There's no standard dosage for greens powders, and ingredients and nutrient amounts can vary significantly. It's important to review the Recommended Dietary Allowance and Tolerable Upper Limits for each ingredient to make sure you are consuming safe levels of each nutrient. Be aware that:

• Your body filters and removes excess water-soluble vitamins, like vitamin C and B vitamins. This makes it less likely that these nutrients can cause harm, but it's still possible to have negative side effects from very high doses in supplement form.
• Fat-soluble vitamins—A, D, E, and K—can be stored in fat tissue and are harmful when consumed in excess. Many minerals can also be harmful in very high amounts.
• People taking multiple supplements are at higher risk for exceeding the Tolerable Upper Limits of vitamins and minerals. Review your greens powder and any other supplements you're taking with a healthcare provider to ensure you are not exceeding the upper limits for any nutrient.

Our Experts

Our team of dietitians helps write and edit all of our nutrition content, but we also interview experts in the field to understand the benefits and drawbacks of greens powders, what's important to consider, and which greens powders are the best. We consulted with the following dietitians:

• Anne Cook Carroll, MS, RD, CDN, is a registered dietitian who works with patients to meet their health goals and educates patients on the appropriate usage of supplements to optimize their nutritional status and overall health. She also specializes in supplement research and analysis.
• Maddi Osburn, RDN, LD, is a registered dietitian and owner of Flexible Nutrition, LLC. She specializes in sports and general fitness nutrition.
• Suzie Finkel, MS, RD, is a registered dietitian and owner of Well Digested Nutrition. She specializes in digestive and metabolic diseases.
• Andrew Akhaphong, MS, RD, LD, is a registered dietitian with a culinary background specializing in gut disorders, diabetes, and weight management.
  

Frequently Asked Questions

Are greens powders as good as fresh greens?

Research specifically looking at greens powders is limited and doesn't suggest they offer as many benefits as eating whole foods. What we do know is that there are synergistic effects to eating whole foods, meaning that the nutrients in whole foods work together, so you get more health benefits from eating foods in their natural form than from taking supplements. 

"Greens powders can help increase your fruit and vegetable intake but don't count on them to completely replace whole foods. Most don't contain all of the vitamins and minerals you need," says Osburn.

One area where many greens powders fall short is their fiber content—many contain very little to no fiber. On the other hand, fresh greens and other vegetables provide fiber, which can promote better digestion and help lower cholesterol. When consumed from whole foods, fiber can also make you feel fuller, which may help you eat less overall, but the same can't be said for fiber supplements.

How do I make green powders taste better?

There are many ways to make greens powders taste better to help quell their bitter or grassy taste. Instead of drinking them plain, add them to a smoothie with fruit, adding sweetness and providing fiber and other nutrients. For even more tasty ideas, try mixing greens powders into your favorite smoothie protein shake, as a seasoning for a soup, into pancake or waffle batter, in baked goods, or even mixing into your favorite dip.

Do greens powders help with bloating?

Some greens powder brands advertise that they relieve bloating, but the evidence for this is not supported by enough research. Certain brands of greens powders contain digestive enzymes, which may help to alleviate gastrointestinal side effects like bloating in those with certain digestive enzyme deficiencies, although they are unlikely to provide any benefit to those without deficiencies.

Those with diagnosed enzyme deficiencies should consult a healthcare provider and may require prescription medication or a specific separate enzyme supplement. It is important to note that certain digestive enzymes and probiotic blends can make some digestive conditions worse, so they should be taken with caution for those with preexisting GI conditions.

Additionally, some greens powders contain ingredients such as inulin, a fermentable fiber, and alternative sweeteners, which can both cause bloating in some individuals, particularly those with IBS.

Are greens powders worth it?

Whether or not they're worth it really depends on your nutrient needs, diet, budget, and lifestyle.

Greens powders can be helpful for days when you don't have time to prepare fresh vegetables or if you are traveling and have limited access to fresh greens. However, in most cases, they're not essential to your diet. They can also be costly—ranging from $20 to $40—and come with a higher price tag if they're third-party tested, USDA-organic, or have added ingredients like adaptogens, probiotics, and digestive enzymes.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

Sarah Anzlovar, MS, RDN, LDN, is a registered dietitian with a master's degree in nutrition communication. She owns a private practice in the suburbs of Boston, helping her clients ditch diets and learn to eat foods that help them feel their best and achieve optimal health. Sarah also uses her expertise to translate nutrition research into relatable and approachable recommendations for our readers, like the top greens powders on our list.