From chlorophyll water and cold-water therapy to glucose monitors and ginger shots, the wellness world is no stranger to a viral trend. One of the latest is greens powders, with countless influencers and celebs sipping on lurid green drinks and touting their health benefits on social media.
On TikTok alone, videos with the hashtag #greenspowders have racked up over 477 million views and counting and research shows the greens powder industry is set to reach a mega $718 million by 2028.
According to fans, the best greens powders can do wonders for your health, with users noting improved digestion, less bloating, more energy and healthier skin and nails, alongside other benefits. Sounds great, but do these fluorescent elixirs live up to their bold claims and are they actually worth investing in?
To find out, the Good Housekeeping Institute enlisted the help of two nutritionists, plus a panel of trusted testers, to put a range of super greens through their paces. Before you swap your salad for a green shake, here’s everything you need to know about the trend du jour, plus how to choose the right supplement for you.
Meet the experts: Georgia Chilton, senior nutrition manager at Fresh Fitness Food, holds a bachelor’s degree in nutrition, a master’s degree in sports and exercise nutrition and has over nine years of industry experience.
Megan Foulsham, senior nutritionist at Fresh Fitness Food, is a registered nutritionist with a bachelor's degree in biochemistry and a master’s in eating disorders and clinical nutrition.
The best greens powders for 2024
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Best for mixability
Smart Protein SuperGreens+
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What are greens powders?
Megan Foulsham, senior nutritionist at Fresh Fitness Food, explains that greens powders are supplements typically made from dehydrated and powdered forms of leafy greens, algae, grasses and fruits. Many brands also add probiotics, digestive enzymes and herbs.
They shouldn’t be confused with green juices or smoothies, which are made from blended fresh fruit and vegetables.
“Many promise a quick and easy boost of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and phytonutrients,” explains Foulsham. “They often provide vitamins A, C, K and folate in addition to minerals like iron, calcium and magnesium.”
Are greens powders good for you?
According to Foulsham, greens powders can be useful if you’re struggling to eat enough fresh fruit and veg daily. “If you’re someone who doesn’t have a balanced diet, it’s possible that the vitamins and minerals included in the powders can provide you with more nourishment than your diet,” she says.
However, she stresses that they are not essential for a healthy diet and it’s best to get your nutrition from whole foods where possible. “We wouldn’t usually recommend a greens powder as the first port of call; we would always recommend a food first approach,” she says.
She points out that there is limited evidence to suggest that taking greens powders is beneficial, noting that they don’t count towards your five-a-day. Additionally, if you’re already eating a healthy, well-balanced diet, it’s unlikely a greens supplement will make much of a difference anyway. This is because your body can only absorb a certain amount of vitamins – you’ll just wee out what your kidneys can’t handle.
That said, Foulsham thinks there could be some psychological benefits. “While the evidence to support greens powders is limited, if taking one puts you in a ‘healthy’ mindset and encourages you to make other changes to better your health like moving more or prioritising sleep, then it can be helpful,” she says.
Greens powders vs. whole foods
One point to consider, says Foulsham, is that the vitamins and minerals in whole foods have better bioavailability than powders. That means they’re more easily absorbed by the body. “While greens powders do contain lots of micronutrients, there is little to no data to support the bioavailability of the micronutrients in this form, so we can’t be sure the body is making efficient use of them,” she explains.
What’s more, whole foods provide us with more than just vitamins and minerals – they contain fibre, which is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system. With greens powders, most of the fibre content is lost in the production process.
What should you look for in a greens powder?
If you do want to jump on the leafy bandwagon, Foulsham advises opting for one that contains real fruit and vegetable powders. “Aim for a product that has whole foods listed within the ingredients list and plenty of vitamins and minerals listed under the product NRVs (nutrient reference values),” she says.
She suggests steering clear of supplements, which contain lots of synthetic and fortified ingredients. “Synthetic ingredients, especially sweeteners, can cause gastrointestinal distress, while fortified vitamins are ultimately no different to standard multivitamins, aside from the cost,” she explains.
As most greens powders are not regulated by governing bodies, there’s a chance that they don’t live up to their claims. As such, it’s a good idea to choose one that has been tested by a third party to check the ingredients list is accurate and free from contaminants. Our Verve winner, for instance, is Informed Sport Certified, and Athletic Greens is NSF Certified for Sport.
If you’re unsure or taking medication, it’s best to seek advice from a registered nutritionist or dietician before you take a green supplement.
How we test
To find the greens powders that are worth considering – whether you’re after a budget buy or something that goes down easily – we asked nutritionists Georgia Chilton and Megan Foulsham to help us put a range of market-leading products to the test.
They assessed each greens powder based on quality of ingredients, nutritional make-up and formulation, judging them against their claims.
We also sent each product to a panel of testers, who trialled them over a four-week period before feeding back on ease of use, drinkability, benefits and any unwanted side effects.
Finally, our expert food team taste tested them all, telling us how they found each drink’s flavour, texture and aroma.
Pros
- Third-party approved
- Transparency around the ingredients
- Travel bottle, mental storage tin and scoop included in first order
- Recyclable packaging and carbon neutral delivery
Cons
- Expensive
- Slightly lumpy consistency and earthy taste
Score: 89/100
As the name suggests, V80 contains a potent blend of 80 vitamins, minerals and wholefood ingredients – including spirulina, chlorella, barley grass, pea protein isolate – a fistful of adaptogens like ashwagandha and reishi mushroom extract, and 11 pre and probiotics.
According to the brand, it’s a convenient way to keep your energy up, your immune system strong and your gut health balanced. Sure enough, our testers felt it gave them a boost, with one saying, “I noticed a pick-up in energy when I used this product.” In terms of gut health, improvements were also noted. “My digestion has taken a turn for the better and there has been no discomfort or bloating,” one panellist told us.
Flavour-wise, our food team said it wasn’t too overpowering, but slightly earthy, with hints of sweetness and nuttiness. The texture was thin and easy to drink, although there were a few unwanted lumps, so make sure you blend well before drinking.
The expert verdict: In terms of benefits, Foulsham and Chiltern highlighted the pre- and probiotic mix, which can help facilitate an increase in positive gut bacteria. They also noted that the vitamins included complement each other; for instance, vitamin D enhances the absorption of calcium. Additionally, the NRVs aren’t too high, so you can incorporate V80 as a supplement alongside your diet, without overdoing it on vitamins and minerals.
| Key ingredients | Pre and probiotics, vitamins including A, D, K, E, C and B12, folic acid, biotin and zinc |
|---|---|
| Flavours available | Transparent greens |
| Dosage | Mix one scoop with 300ml of water |
Pros
- Made from mostly organic ingredients
- High in fibre
- Pleasant to drink
Cons
- Excessive servings of some nutrients
- Uses sucralose as a sweetener, which can negatively impact the gut
Score: 88/100
Huel’s Daily Greens features a mega 91 vitamins, minerals, adaptogens, dairy-free probiotics and antioxidants. We’re talking spinach, cinnamon bark, cordyceps, faba bean protein, flaxseed and plenty more. The brand claims it will “fill any nutritional gaps in your diet,” helping to support a healthy immune system, maintain energy levels, promote healthy skin hair and nails and aid digestion.
Sounds impressive but how did it fare during our tests? Panellists gave positive feedback, with one saying, “I feel overall better and will continue to use this product”, and another noting that they feel better mentally; however, they would need longer to confirm this was due to the powder.
Everyone liked the tropical, fruity taste, with many commenting that it’s significantly nicer than other greens powders they’ve tried, so they felt motivated to keep using it. It earned bonus points for its smooth consistency and appealing green colour.
The expert verdict: For Foulsham and Chiltern, the ingredients list made up of mostly organic ingredients was a plus point. They also approved of the fibre content, which at 3.5g is the highest in this round-up, and noted the synergy between ingredients – vitamin C enhances the absorption of iron from the diet.
They did, however, highlight that some ingredients contain excessive amounts of NRV per serving. These are unlikely to be harmful, but they are unnecessary. The blend also contains small amounts of the sweetener sucralose, which has been shown to negatively impact gut health.
| Key ingredients | Plant-based protein, probiotics, adaptogen and super mushroom complex, antioxidant greens, superfruit blend |
|---|---|
| Flavours available | Original |
| Dosage | Mix one scoop with 250-300ml of water |
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Pros
- At the affordable end of the spectrum
- Excellent range of flavours to choose from
- Designed to boost your nutrition, not replace whole foods
- Contains inulin, a prebiotic which can support gut health
Cons
- Uses sucralose as a sweetener, which can aggravate the gut
- Contains some synthetic ingredients
Score: 88/100
Protein Works is best known for its protein powders and pre-workout shakes, but the brand also has its very own greens blend, packed with 20 superfood ingredients to “enhance your immune system naturally whilst reducing fatigue and contributing to brain function.” These include spirulina, spinach and broccoli powder, match green tea, ginseng and ashwagandha, to name just a few.
Unlike many greens, which only come in one flavour, this one stands out for the array of options to help mask any earthy vegetable taste. The brand recommends blending it with juice for an extra dose of sweetness. It scored highly for mixability with our panel, who also thought the flavour was fresh, sharp and sweet. Some found it a tad too sickly, but that comes down to personal preference.
One tester reported an improvement in their energy levels, but acknowledged this may be down to the placebo effect, while another thought it was a positive way to start their mornings but didn’t note any major health changes.
The expert verdict: Our experts rated the NRV range in this blend, describing it as “reasonable and realistic”. It will give you a boost in nutrients you may be lacking, but it’s not designed to replace a healthy balanced diet. It also contains inulin, a prebiotic found in a variety of fruits and vegetables, which can help increase good gut bacteria.
| Key ingredients | Spirulina, spinach, broccoli, yerba mate, ashwagandha, Siberian ginseng |
|---|---|
| Flavours | Original, Apple & Lemon Twist, Mandarin Orange, Tropical Punch, Summery Berry Burst |
| Dosage | Mix 12g of powder with 250-300ml water or juice |
Pros
- Pleasant to drink
- Third party-approved
- Contains both pre- and probiotics to support gut health
- Our testing panel noted a range of benefits
Cons
- Expensive
- Concentration of certain ingredients likely exceed the body's absorption capacity
- May not be suitable for those taking certain medication and those who are pregnant. Consult your healthcare provider before using.
Score: 87/100
Popular with the likes of Gwyneth Paltrow, Lewis Hamilton and Cindy Crawford, AG1 is one of the best-selling greens powders on the market – and it has a premium price tag to match. Made up of a myriad of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, pre- and probiotics, digestive enzymes and adaptogens, it aims to help boost mental performance, reduce tiredness, support a healthy immune system and promote gut health. According to the brand, AG1 replaces the need to take multiple supplements with one simple daily scoop.
It certainly went down well with our panellists, who noticed a variety of improvements after taking it for a month. “After four weeks, I definitely felt an improvement in my skin – it was clearer and softer – and my energy levels,” reported one tester. Another told us: “I absolutely felt a difference in my energy levels and bloating.”
They also approved of the flavour, with bursts of pineapple and coconut, saying it was nicer than many greens powders they’ve tried before. The texture earned mixed reviews and some found the aftertaste unpleasant, but that’s often the case with health supplements.
The expert verdict: AG1 combines synbiotics (a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics) to provide variety to the gut microbiome and in turn could potentially boost digestion. Like the Huel option above, however, the concentration of some nutrients (e.g. 880% for B12) is excessive and unnecessary.
| Key ingredients | Folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, copper, selenium, chromium, phosphorus, thiamine, B vitamins, Vitamin C, zinc |
|---|---|
| Flavours available | Original |
| Dosage | Mix 1 scoop with 250ml of water |
Pros
- Affordable
- Balanced NRV levels
- Good taste and texture
Cons
- Contains synthetic ingredients
- High fibre content (soluble fibre, apple fibre pectin) can cause bloating, gas or diarrhoea in sensitive individuals
Score: 87/100
If you can’t fathom spending almost £100 on a greens powder, consider this Smart Protein offering. It comes in at under £20, and contains the classics like spirulina, wheat grass, spinach and beetroot, along with nine additional vitamins and minerals. Unlike many brands, it doesn’t make any big health claims, simply stating it can be used to supplement nutrients you may be lacking in your diet.
It proved popular with testers, who said it was extremely easy to mix in water, smoothies and even into porridge and soup. “It didn’t congeal or have any lumps,” said one tester. Flavour-wise, it’s natural, herby and sweet, but not unpleasant.
Testers noticed “healthier, more radiant and clearer skin” after just a week, as well as reduced bloating.
The expert verdict: Like the Protein Works blend above, our experts said the NRV range was reasonable, making it a good choice for supplementing vitamins and minerals, alongside a balanced diet that’s rich in fruit and veg. They pointed out that it does contain quite a few synthetic ingredients, which can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort. It doesn’t contain pre or probiotics, either.
| Key ingredients | Spirulina, wheat grass, spinach, apple fibre, wild yam, grape seed, beetroot, plus 6 vitamins and minerals |
|---|---|
| Flavours available | Unflavoured |
| Dosage | Mix 1 scoop with 200-300ml of water |
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Pros
- Good flavour options
- Fewest synthetic ingredients out of all greens powders tested
- Under £10
Cons
- NRVs not provided and lack of clarity around ingredient quantities
- Contains stevia, which can cause gastrointestinal issues for some
- Divisive flavours not for everyone
Score: 84/100
Bulk’s budget-friendly unflavoured blend contains just eight key greens: spirulina, chlorella, broccoli, pumpkin protein, alfafa, moringa, kale and spinach. The flavoured options also contain citric acid, natural flavourings and stevia for added sweetness.
Testers appreciated the clear instructions and said it was easy to mix. One tester noted improvements to their bloating and skin, and another said they liked knowing they were getting more veg in their diet. The consistency was good, but the taste didn’t go down so well with everyone – some thought it was too musty and difficult to drink, while others found it too sweet. On the plus side, they liked that it could be added to smoothies and soups to mask the flavour.
The expert verdict: Bulk Complete Greens is the most natural option in this round-up, according to the nutritionists. It contains the fewest ingredients and the least synthetic ingredients, making it a decent way boost your green intake if necessary. What’s more, it offers a good hit of fibre (1.9g) and protein (3.2g) per serving. However, it loses points as there’s a lack of nutritional information available, including NRVs and the amount of each nutrient per serving.
| Key ingredients | Spirulina, chlorella, broccoli, pumpkin protein, spinach, alfalfa, moringa, kale |
|---|---|
| Flavours available | Apple & Lime, Mixed Berry, Peach & Mango, Unflavoured |
| Dosage | Mix 9g with 250ml of water |
The verdict on greens powders
While it’s advisable to get your nutritional needs from whole foods, if you do want to incorporate a greens powder into your daily routine, our Verve winner is worth considering.
“We wouldn’t recommend a greens powder as a first port of call, but out of those reviewed, we would recommend Verve if it were applicable,” says Foulsham.
If you’re on a tight budget, then Bulk’s Complete Greens is your best bet, and if you want an array of flavours to choose from, look to Protein Works’ Super Greens Extreme.
Why should you trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
Kim Hawley is the health and wellness tester for the GHI, where she oversees testing for a range of health and wellness products, including protein bars, protein powders, and electrolytes. She is a level 4 qualified personal trainer and holds a nutrition qualification, so she knows what to look for in a supplement.
For this test, we also enlisted the help of Fresh Fitness Food nutritionists Georgia Chilton, and Megan Foulsham to cut through the noise, provide the facts and help you make an informed decision about greens powders.
At the GHI, our experts test thousands of products every year to find the very best on the market. We put each and every product through rigorous testing, both in real-world and lab conditions, to provide unbiased reviews you can trust.
Priyankaa Joshi
Priyankaa is our senior health and wellness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges.
She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.
Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Tested byKim Hawley
Health and Fitness Tester
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
