I recently tried AG1 (specifically from Athletic Greens) which are all the rage on TikTok because they supposedly increase energy levels, help with gut health, and add vitamins and minerals to your diet. And after using a daily serving of this supplement for a month, I actually did start to feel the benefits. I like to think I’m a fairly healthy adult. I’m very active, I don’t drink, and I typically avoid junk food. I’m far from perfect though. I don’t drink enough water and my veggie intake is laking. My diet is also unbalanced, which can make me tired, bloated, and I have trouble focusing throughout the day. With that in mind, I chatted with my primary care doctor to make sure none of my medications would interact poorly with this viral green powder, and then decided to test it for a full month.
Below, read my review, plus everything you need to know about the benefits of AG1, according to medical experts and registered dietitians.
What is AG1?
Athletic Greens AG1
Amazon
AG1
AG1 was developed 15 years ago, and is a vegan, keto, GMO-free, dairy-free, gluten-free greens powder supplement containing vitamins and minerals similar to what you’d find in a traditional multivitamin. These include B-complex, Vitamin A, folate, Vitamin B12, Vitamin E, Zinc, and magnesium.
Along with the vitamins, one scoop of AG1 includes prebiotics, probiotics, and a number of adaptogenic and “superfood” ingredients. It’s made from a combination of powdered dehydrated fruits, vegetables, and herbs, which makes for a somewhat swampy morning beverage but undeniably impressive ingredient list.
What are the benefits of AG1?
Emily Villanesca, a Dallas-based registered dietitian, agrees that one of the biggest benefits of AG1 is its convenience: “Few people will be able or willing to include as many or as much of the ingredients in their daily lives as they can get in a single scoop or packet of AG1,” she told me.
Dietary supplements are nothing new. From customized multivitamin mailers to chalky protein powders, there’s a convenient “solution” for whatever your diet might be lacking. While these are not a direct substitute for a balanced diet and getting your daily values of these micronutrients, supplements can provide a helpful boost in nutrition and an easy way to get more gut-healthy micronutrients into your diet.
For someone like me—who dislikes vegetables and would subsist on bagels and Frosted Mini Wheats if given the chance—a greens powder supplement dissolved in water has a two-pronged benefit: I get added nutrition first thing in the morning, and it forces me to hydrate.
People also ask if AG1 helps with weight loss, and I didn’t find any evidence that this is the case. It doesn’t replace meals, and doesn’t contribute to a calorie deficit. This certainly wasn’t an effect for me, and it also wasn’t what I was aiming for by taking it.
Who should or shouldn’t take AG1?
For people who have trouble getting their daily nutrients and don’t love spending too much time in the kitchen, AG1 can be a simple, beneficial addition to their morning routine. It’s also good for people who already take a multivitamin and want a more comprehensive, nutrient-dense supplement for gut health support and microbiome balance.
“AG1 is a good choice [for people] looking for a supplement if you have difficulty eating right, or if you have to take more than one supplement at a time,” says Gowri Reddy Rocco, MD, a board-certified medical doctor based in California. She also made sure to reiterate that the supplement is GMO free, which is important for what she recommends.
AG1 is also NSF Certified for Sport, an independent, third-party certification that tests for safety, purity and potency. The medical professionals I spoke with told me they only recommend taking supplements that have been third-party tested by groups like NSF or USP, and this fits the bill.
Remember, as with any supplements, AG1 isn’t one-size-fits-all. “I would strongly advise to see a doctor, get the blood work done, and look for something more specific if your body has an adverse reaction to AG1,” says Dr. Rocco. She also recommends that anyone on medications like blood thinners, or who has preexisting conditions or allergies consult with a healthcare provider before taking AG1, as it has “ingredients that may cause adverse effects or interactions with medications or existing conditions.”
Finally, anyone pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking prescription medications should consult with their doctor before taking AG1, since it contains adaptogens. So it’s not for everyone, but after I chatted with my doctor, we figured it was as good as trying anything to help with my bloating.
Can you get all nutrients from AG1 on a regular diet?
While my diet isn’t jaw-droppingly bad, I know it’s lacking key nutrients, which leads to issues I experience like lower energy, stomach bloating, and grogginess. And even if I was eating as healthy as possible, I’m not alone in my diet lacking the right nutrients and antioxidants.
“It’s definitely possible to get the right amount of nutrients from whole foods,” says Villanesca. “However, the reality is that only about 10% of Americans are actually eating the recommended five servings of fruits and veggies that would deliver what we need.”
By adding a scoop of AG1 to my day, I could fill in some of what my diet was lacking. After just a week of making sure I drank my shaker of green water each morning, I started to feel brighter and more focused.
It wasn’t a routine that felt hard to get used to. I already stumble to my kitchen every morning for coffee, and it was easy to add a scoop of powder into the shaker, give it an ol’ maraca shimmy, and chug it while my coffee steeped.
By the end of the second week, I felt less gassy (sorry), and noticed less of my typical bloating after meals. I can’t say for sure whether this was from drinking AG1 or from overall trying to eat healthier, but I can’t say it wasn’t from AG1. I’ve dealt with frustrating bloating for the last few years, and anything that makes me feel less like a balloon is a welcome change.
Does AG1 taste good?
Realistically, does any supplement actually taste good? Like, really good? I think we moderate our expectations for protein powders, energy gels, and superfood powders, but amongst the ones I’ve tried, AG1 has one of the better flavors. There’s a light sweetness thanks to the touch of stevia, with natural sweetener from fruit and vanilla. It’s low added sugar, and has a pretty mild flavor overall, though be prepared for a slightly iron aftertaste from the mineral components.
The brand recommends drinking AG1 first thing in the morning—on an empty stomach to maximize absorption—with the optimal ratio being 8-10 ounces of cold water. I’ve been diluting the powder more (I like a milder flavor), and while I don’t necessarily look forward to pounding 12 ounces of dark green water, it’s not a bad flavor and the powder dissolves almost immediately without any grit or residue.
Can AG1 replace whole foods or a multivitamin?
While AG1 can be a valuable addition to a balanced diet with its high level of micronutrients, it doesn’t replace actual foods, which is annoying for someone (me) who wants an easy solution to a subpar diet. AG1 is designed to complement a healthy diet and balance out a decline in nutrient density found in modern food, not replace those foods.
“One of the biggest reasons for this is that [AG1] is low in fiber,” explains Villanesca. “It provides two grams per serving and most of us need at least 25 grams a day for optimal gut health.”
Villanesca also mentioned that AG1 is fairly low in calcium and does not contain Vitamin D, and encourages people to find a separate supplement for those two things, and to ensure you’re getting quality whole foods to make up for it.
Even Dr. Esposito, AG1’s Chief Science & Nutrition Officer was upfront about AG1 not replacing whole foods, which I appreciate. “At AG1, we believe that nutrient-dense whole foods always come first,” he told me.
AG1 can, however, be a good replacement for a multivitamin, which about 1/3 of Americans take. It provides similar amounts of micronutrients included in vitamins found at grocery stores or pharmacies, plus it has the added benefit of potentially supporting gut health and incorporates other nutrient-dense ingredients. I stopped taking my drugstore multivitamin so as not to overload my body, but also because the ingredients in AG1 make up for it.
As a somewhat surprising side effect, my daily dose of AG1 has also encouraged me to eat healthier. Something about starting the morning with a glass of Health Water feels similar to beginning my day with exercise or meditation. It sets me up well to make better choices, and if I start out on the right foot, I feel more motivated to continue that trajectory.
How much is AG1 and is it worth it?
The superfood supplement shelves are a crowded place these days, and there are plenty of competitors available at a fraction of the cost. One of the most popular (and affordable) is Bloom, a supplement brand with a range of products that includes a significantly less expensive Greens and Superfoods option. Bloom’s 60-serving canister costs $75, while 30 servings of AG1 costs $105. However, you can get the same AG1 intro kit I have for $79, which includes a 30-day powder supply, shaker bottle, travel pack drops, and a fridge storage container.
So should you spring for AG1, or is it mostly name-brand hype? “While both contain proprietary blends, AG1 is different from Bloom in that AG1 details the specific micronutrient amounts in each serving,” says Megan Meyer, PhD, a science communication consultant based in Durham, North Carolina. “Bloom takes a more proprietary blend approach vs specifically listing the amounts of vitamins and minerals like AG1.”
This makes wallet-friendly supplements like Bloom a great alternative, though some people might prefer the specifics of AG1.
It also depends on what you’re looking for. A supplement might be the right answer if you’re looking for the whole panel of nutrients, but if you’re looking to increase your intake of one or two key ingredients, maybe not.
“If you struggle to eat fruits and veggies and want to reap the health benefits tied to eating more of these foods, you may want to consider taking AG1,” says Meyer, adding “there are many other ways to incorporate more fiber in your diet that doesn’t cost $79-99 per month.”
It can also be worth investing in a one-stop-shop for vitamins and minerals that help with a number of health issues such as the gut, bloating, and energy. For me, it’s a convenient way to supplement a diet lacking in key nutrients. But according to Dr. Rocco, “it is better to obtain micro and macronutrients from food and whole foods than from a nearly $100 supplement.”
Personally, my funds and nutritional needs are at odds. Has AG1 been beneficial for me? Absolutely. I feel less bloated, my energy is higher, and I know I’m drinking more water. If my bank account was limitless, I would be an excellent all-around nutritional candidate for daily AG1.
But my budget tells a different story, and while I work in a field where I get to test athletic gear and nutritional supplements, it also means I have to be honest about what I realistically purchase for myself. And the truth is, I wouldn’t be able to afford $100 per month for a supplement. I’d be back to my $5 multivitamins, and if I were to choose a supplement, I would be more likely to use the Bloom or a similarly priced, similar quality greens powder. I appreciate how AG1 has made me feel over the past month, but the $100 cost isn’t feasible on my salary.
What are the negative side effects of AG1?
I haven’t noticed anything negative about taking AG1, even with my notoriously unhappy stomach. As with any nutritional supplement though, every individual body’s reaction is going to be different.
Nausea, diarrhea, or bloating is a possibility when you first begin taking AG1, as your body will go through a transition with the probiotics in the supplement. It also contains fiber that can cause diarrhea in some people, Dr. Rocco said, saying that while these should subside on their own, speak to a doctor if they persist.
Villanesca also mentioned that some of AG1’s nutrients are over the recommended daily allowance, with the assumption that not everything will be absorbed. While the nutrients in AG1 aren’t at toxic levels, some consumers should be wary. For example, high amounts of vitamin C can increase the risk of kidney stones in some people, and high intakes of biotin can impair thyroid test results.
Finally, it’s worth noting that AG1 is not without its controversies, from inflated health benefit claims to its founder resigning over property schemes from previous business ventures. Neither of those are dangerous to health or more shocking than embroilments plaguing other popular businesses, but I’d be remiss not to mention them.
The final verdict
My uptick in energy this month (and reduced bloating!) aligns with the benefits touted by Athletic Greens and mentioned by professionals. I attribute a lot of this to the micronutrients—vitamins and minerals—that are likely lacking in my diet. And while we don’t have super in-depth research to show the effectiveness of gut-health superfoods, it doesn’t mean they aren’t effective, and I love the idea that my 30-second morning commitment of green juice is adding superfoods I wouldn’t otherwise be getting (Spirulina! Alkaline! Bromelain! Ashwagandha!) and helping improve digestive enzymes. Plus, as Villanesca told me, a lot of people have anecdotally spoken about how it’s helped improve their health. I know it’s not a cure-all, but I appreciate adding it to my day.
Overall, I plan to keep using a greens supplement as part of my low-maintenance wellness routine to help improve my overall health. Along with increasing high-quality, essential nutrients in a more balanced diet, I know I can continue to increase my health, energy, and gut biome, and I haven’t noticed any side effects that would lead me to stop. I don’t know if I can afford AG1 specifically, but as someone on a budget, I’m glad similar (less expensive) supplements exist.
The post I Tried Athletic Greens for a Month–Here’s My AG1 Review appeared first on Glamour.
