This is a review. Click here to visit Athletic Greens
Athletic Greens has been touted as the be all and end all of green superfood drinks. So much so that the guys at Athletic Greens are convinced that simply calling it a kind of 'Greens Formula' does not do justice, that it should be treated as 'The Ultimate Nutritional Insurance'.
I noticed one thing though, many Athletic Greens 'reviews' are more like endorsements, with only a few true, honest 'reviews'.
Now, I'm generally healthy with no serious ailments like gout or diabetes (thank goodness!). So while I can't make claims about recovery from such ailments, I appreciate quality and as always, want to put all the confusing information available out there into perspective.
I hope that by doing a proper review and comparison I can help you make an informed decision.
Here are the stars for today:
- Healthforce Vitamineral Green
- Green Vibrance
- Amazing Grass: Green Superfood
- Athletic Greens
The products used for this comparison were mentioned in my other post, Top 3 Athletic Greens Alternatives. They were chosen because of their generally popularity and reputation for being some of the best green drinks in the market.
There's one thing I won't do however, which is to go into a ingredient by ingredient comparison as it would confuse and overcomplicate things because of the sheer number of ingredients and overlaps. I'll do a general feel for it instead and highlight certain aspects when it's called for.
Let's get to it then. I'll break the whole review down into these categories:
- Ingredients
- Taste
- Results and Feel
- Cost
- Summary
- Overall Conclusion
1. Ingredients
Dosage
Vitamineral Green
1 table spoon per serving, though there's no indication of how many grams that is. I'd expect this to be about 9-12grams per tablespoon because it feels like the 12grams of the other products and is very finely ground, the finest amongst the 4 I believe. I don't know what came over me one day but I decided to take it without mixing it in water. I choked for about 2 minutes because it was up my nose and down my throat. So, yea, it's very fine. Not as palatable as milo powder, straight from the can though.
Green Vibrance
1 tablespoon per serving at 12grams each. A measured spoon is provided for convenience.
Amazing Grass: Green Superfood
1 tablespoon per serving at 8grams each. This has the coarsest powder amongst the 4, probably explains why you get less per tablespoon. A measured spoon is also provided.
Athletic Greens
1 tablespoon per serving at 12grams each.
Superfood Grasses, Herbs and Antioxidants
Vitamineral Green
The problem with Vitamineral Green is that they don't provide a detailed breakdown of the amount of ingredients used. They recommend another product, Vitamineral Earth, to complement Vitamineral Greens. Now it seems like Vitamineral Earth's focus is on herbs, so even though there is some in Vitamineral Greens, I would expect it to be mostly greens, with the herbs in smaller amounts. Has some pretty good ingredients though, like Basil, Moringa and Nettle, so it's still a pretty robust formula.
Green Vibrance
At first glance having 71 ingredients seem like a lot and that it should get everything covered. Once you look at the ingredients list however, you find that the formula is heavily biased towards grasses, with spirulina and wheat grass topping the list. That's not a bad thing, but its a waste because they do have very good herbs and antioxidants in the mix, like Acerola Berry, Ginko Bibola and Grape Seed Extract, but only in trace amounts with little mineral support. An above average formula.
Amazing Grass: Green Superfood
The most basic formula with grasses with some antioxidants. The 'light and fluffy' ingredients, combined with its relatively coarse consistency, probably explain why you get less in a tablespoon.
Athletic Greens
A very robust and well rounded formula. Lots of grasses, herbs, antioxidants and minerals. Great ingredients like Grape Seed Extract, Acerola Cherry, Wolf Berry (Goji) and some pretty expensive ones like Co-enzyme Q10 and Siberian Ginseng Roots. It's important to note that if you take the amount of ingredients (as opposed to just the variety) into account, Athletic Greens has easily 3-4 times more herbs, antioxidants and minerals than Vitamineral Greens and Green Vibrance.
Another important difference in their ingredients – they have many concentrated extracts instead of pure ingredients. You remove the excess fibre to get the nutrient essence. Just like in traditional chinese medicine where the herbs are almost never consumed whole but are boiled down into a concentrate. It's like getting the goodness of a whole broccoli in a few drops. That explains why you get more goodies even thought the serving amount is the same.
Digestives and Allergens
Enzymes – Helps break down food
Probiotics – Promotes bacteria growth for a healthy digestive system. Fundamental and more important.
Vitamineral Green
It has some digestives, using enzymes and probiotics in the form of Natural Soil Organisms or NSOs. Its formula is free of GMOs, gluten, yeast, dairy and is vegan friendly. No indication of Soy though. They take pride in their 'Truganic' certification, which is supposedly much stricter and pure than being 'Organic'.
Green Vibrance
12 strains of probiotic cultures for a total of about 25 billion of the tiny little guys. Now, it's interesting because while it's certainly dairy free, it seems like most of their strains are dairy based. So, it's GMO, yeast and gluten free, vegan friendly and mostly made from organic sources, but it has soy-based lecithin and while it's dairy free, some strains of probiotics are most likely based on dairy.
Amazing Grass: Green Superfood
It has some enzymes and probiotics, but again, it's a very basic formula, so nothing to shout about. It says it's gluten and soy free as well as vegan. As for the rest, there's no indication, so it's probiotics could also be dairy based. Its ingredients are mostly organic.
Athletic Greens
Has good digestive support in the form enzymes and mushroom formulas. Though it may have fewer probiotics compared to Green Vibrance with 2 strains and a 7 billion count, it's not dairy-based, which is a plus point.
It's also very proud of being pure, declaring on it's label that it's mostly organic with no GMOs, herbicides, pesticides, synthetic chemicals, artificial flavours or colours, preservatives and sweeteners. It goes on to say that it has no wheat, dairy, gluten, corn, lactose, sucrose, dextrose, egg, yeast, peanuts or animal products. Even its lecithin is not based on soy. From here you can tell, they go one step further, making sure that not only is Athlete Greens free from allergens, but their ingredient sources are not based on allergens as well.
2. Taste
Vitamineral Green
Grassy and a little earthy. Imagine grass + mushrooms. Some may find it a little strong.
Green Vibrance
Grassy and a little hint of fruits. Not as strong, slightly neutral.
Amazing Grass: Green Superfood
Grassy and light, easy on the palate.
Athletic Greens
The best tasting of the bunch…which caught me by surprise. Never knew a great tasting green drink was possible! Tastes almost like a light papaya smoothie and goes surprisingly well with vanilla whey protein.
3. Results and Feel
I took each product for a period 10 days, off the slow carb diet. I didn't want the benefits of the diet to seep into my results. So, a normal diet for quite awhile, with a week break in between products. Note however that such products really are also for the long term health benefits.
Vitamineral Green
The most obvious improvement after taking Vitamineral Green was bowel movements. Other benefits like alertness and energy came slowly, with slight improvements over a period of about 10 days.
Green Vibrance
There was an obvious improvement in bowel movements as well. That should be expected because if nothing else, you're getting more veggies and fibre. Also a slight improvement in general feel over a period of 10 days. Can't really tell the difference between taking Green Vibrance and Vitamineral Green.
Amazing Grass: Green Superfood
Apart from improved bowel movements, I didn't really feel much difference with this product.
Athletic Greens
The difference for Athletic Greens was very obvious from day 3. I was much more alert and I could last longer when exercising. I could also wake up earlier with less lethargy even on a normal diet with lots of carbs. Digestion has improved as well.
Not only that, I started having a little acne at the side of my face a couple of months back. That started to fade away. Talk about 'seeing is believing'!
4. Cost US$
Vitamineral Green
Average of about $50 for 500g or about 18oz, roughly a 45 day supply. Also available in capsule form for travel convenience.
Price can double or triple, depending on how many complementing products you want to get to achieve similar coverage.
Green Vibrance
About $60 for 60 days supply. Also available in capsule form for travel convenience.
Again, price can double or triple, depending on how many complementing products you want to get to achieve similar coverage.
Amazing Grass: Green Superfood
About $38 for 60 days supply
Athletic Greens
1 bottle = 360g, 30 servings
1 Bottle – $97.00
1 Bottle (monthly auto refill) – $77.00
2 Bottles Double Dose (monthly auto refill) – $147.00
US Shipping:
Standard Delivery (7-10 Business Days) – $ 6.95
Rush Delivery (2-3 Business Days) – $14.95
Canadian Shipping:
Priority Delivery (10-14 Business Days) – $9.95
5. Summary
Vitamineral Green
A high quality product created by an individual that's passionate about life giving foods. Complementing products are available to cover vitamin, mineral and other requirements. I must say that I'm a little disappointed, partly because I expected a lot from Vitamineral Green. In the end, it gave me similar results to Green Vibrance. Assuming both are equal however, Vitamineral Green really feels like a higher quality product, with very finely ground ingredients in a glass bottle.
Green Vibrance
A greens formula that's been fortified with some herbs, antioxidants and prebiotics. Complementing products are available to cover vitamin, mineral and other requirements. An average formula overall.
Amazing Grass: Green Superfood
A very basic greens formula. It shows in its ingredients and hence, it's price. Complementing products are available to cover vitamin, mineral and other requirements. It's still a convenient way to get your daily dose of veggies, but you shouldn't expect much apart from that.
Athletic Greens
At first glance, it seems like the most expensive solution. However, after really studying it thoroughly, it's actually quite affordable. Why? Because Athletic Greens has the most well rounded formula, covering all the bases. There's no need to buy a 'complementing' product, and therein lies its secret. It's like getting a computer with all the best accessory options already in, or a premium package make-up set. Rather than get a cheaper formula and then 'topping-up' later, you get everything off the bat.
One can also appreciate the attention to detail. From non-allergen sources of ingredients to a surprisingly tasty flavour base using ingredients that are natural and beneficial. Most importantly however, the improvements from using this product is obvious..and that's what we want isn't it..results?
6. Overall Conclusion
- High quality ingredients with a solid mix of greens, herbs, antioxidants and minerals
- High quality extracts allows all the important nutrients to be squeezed in the same teaspoon of powder
- No allergens. Even ingredients are from non-allergen origins
- Tastes really good!
- Gives results
- Value for money, all-in-one, no 'complementing' products needed
The only thing that's stopping me from getting Athletic Greens monthly is availability outside the US and Canada, or the lack of it. I was able to secure a bottle after a fortunate turn of events but despite my short experience with Athletic Greens, I can say that, in this case, there is no hype and you get what you pay for, which is a high quality product that's good really for your health and surprisingly tasty to boot.
If Athletic Greens is not an option, I sincerely urge you to consider Healthforce's Vitamineral Green if you look for quality or Green Vibrance if you need something that's easier on the tastebuds. To get similar coverage as Athletic Greens however, you'd need to purchase quite a few complementing products.
Otherwise, Athletic Greens is a no-brainer, especially when you can try it for 60 days and get a refund if you're not happy. Remember to get their monthly auto refill program (aka autoship) for a monthly savings of $20.
Where to Purchase
Athletic Greens
Within US/Canada – Click Here
Vitamineral Green (Version 4.8, 500g or 400cap Bottles)
Within US: from Amazon.com (Powder) (Capsule)
Outside US: from iHerb.com (Powder) (Capsule)
Use the code 'ZEL439' at iHerb.com to save US$5 off your 1st purchase
Green Vibrance
Within US: from Amazon.com
Outside US: from iHerb.com
Use the code 'ZEL439' at iHerb.com to save US$5 off your 1st purchase
Amazing Grass
Within US: from Amazon.com
Outside US: from iHerb.com
Use the code 'ZEL439' at iHerb.com to save US$5 off your 1st purchase
My understanding is that Athletic Greens is the same thing as what we have in Australia known as Vital Greens. I take Vital Greens every day and it is an amazing product. Mixed with iced green tea pre-workout (as recommended by the 4 Hour Body) and you can't go wrong!
Been looking through Vital Greens and they are very similar.
In fact, I was very glad when you mentioned it because I was thinking ,’Yay! I can ‘sorta’ get Athletic Greens more affordably in Singapore!’
Then I noticed the cost.
I know things down under are expensive (I remember being mesmerised by the speeding taxi meter during my last visit to Sydney), but holy crap, I did the calculation and realise that it’s still cheaper for me to ship Athletic Greens from the US than it is for me to ship Vital Greens from AU!
Yet another "hidden" add for Athletics Green. I don't think it's a bad product but if it was really that good; why would you have to advertize in this disgusting manner? It is exactly this type of pretentios BS that turns the educated consumer away from a product. If you can fake an ad you may be faking the product as well. What is "mostly organinc" anyway??
Stay true!
Poul
Honestly, I have no idea what you’re talking about.
And it’s not a ‘hidden’ ad. It’s an ‘open’ ad. In my disclaimer I’ve already pointed out that I AM an affiliated of most, if not all the products that I talk about on this website. Here’s the difference: I only recommend those that I feel should be recommended. I will not recommend AG if I don’t feel that it’s a good product. And it’s not like I hid the disclaimer with small words at some obscure corner. It’s right there on the main menu.
In other words, I don’t recommended a product and then say that it’s good. I discover a good product, and then recommend it.
I’ve personally tried all of them out. As above, I tried each product for 10 days with a 1 week break in between while on a normal diet. I honestly think I’ve done a pretty good job going into enough detail while keeping things simple to explain why AG is different, instead of the endorsements you see in many other ‘reviews’ where they basically say “It’s good because it’s great!”. I even made sure to let you guys know that I’m a generally healthy person and that I’m unable to comment on AG’s effects on more serious ailments like gout or diabetes.
Only Vitamineral Greens here is 100% Organic (or Truganic, as they use their own standard of measurement, which is supposed to be much stricter). The other products are not 100% organic, but since ‘most’ of their ingredients are organic, I simply describe them as ‘mostly organic’, which is the truth. Some, like Amazing Grass, even says it on the bottle: “Contains over 70% organic ingredients”.
I’m totally for feedback, though I’d appreciate it if they were constructive, thanks.
Great site…thanks for the unbiased and thorough reviews. I'm not sure what Poul is so upset about…..thanks.
Can you tell me how you did to get Athletic Greens outside US, i really want to order it but i don't know how to do, please help me.
Kind regards.
Souade.
The only way I know how is to use a postal redirect service like ComGateway, but that will make it much costlier.
While AG's working on overseas shipping options, I suggest you stick to the alternatives in the mean time.
Thanks for the information. Have you ever tried Greens plus.? It is well reviewed and a lot less expensive.
Thanks,
Mark
I've not tried, but it seems like amazing grass with added soy lecithin as a major ingredient.
There have been many debates about the benefits of soy. Based on my research, it's either a wonder food, or the super inflammation anti-health food. While I let you decide on that, it's interesting to note that it's a relatively cheap ingredient.
I'd rank this between Amazing Grass and Green Vibrance as it does contain trace amounts of herbal support. But if really given the choice, I'd still put my money on Green Vibrance as it uses a more robust formula.
Thank you for your review. I did some thorough research and it seems your review is right on point. I signed up for this program called the diet solution and there is a trustworthy nutritionist name Isabel who does a ton of research on these kind of stuff. She barely takes any supplement, but she takes this and recommends Athletic Greens. In her video she mentions that it is more of a food then supplement. Before she takes these kind of stuff she has to get inside of the company, find out about the ingredients to approve of it and talks to the CEO etc. Also version 5 came out and now it actually lists the ingredients and the amount it contains. I will look forward to taking AG, but waiting for a better income. For now I will probably take vitamineral green with fresh bee pollen to fill in the minerals. Maybe you can update this post since vitamineral green list their ingredients and the amount it contains now. By the way I find amazon.com gives the best price on these products, some days it will even drop by 10 dollars.
Thanks for the compliment =)
I take pride in this and it's always nice to have someone recognise the effort and it's the same for anyone, so please share the love elsewhere too ok?
And yes, it's basically ground up food. Some people seem to think that supplements are a bit like medicine…they actually aren't. Most of the time, it's what you want packaged in a convenient form, like AG over here.
Thanks for the headsup on Vitamineral Green, I'll look into it!