Gwyneth Paltrow did a fridge tour and all we could see was the cult greens powder our editor is obsessed with
If you've spent any time scrolling TikTok over the past couple of years I'm sure this isn't the first you've heard of Athletic Greens.
The search term Athletic Greens has almost 255 million views on TikTok, and the brand has amassed a following of over half a million people on Instagram. But what is it about this particular greens powder that has made it so popular?
Well, celebrity investors like Hugh Jackman, Cindy Crawford, and Lewis Hamilton certainly haven't hurt, but it's the brands carefully curated sponsored posts with social media's most influential content creators that really launched it into the stratosphere.
In fact, when the wellness queen herself, Gwyneth Paltrow, did a fridge tour where you can clearly see a bag of AG1 in pride of place in the fridge door.
As with most trending products AG1 has its fair share of critics, so I wanted to try it out for myself for a few months to see if it really made a difference or it was just another overpriced wellness fad.
What AG1 claims: To help build immunity, support microbiome and gut health, enhance nutrient absorption, and better adapt to stress.
Who I am: I'm a healthy, active woman in my late 20s who has a varied diet made up of fruit, vegetables, fish, and meat, but I do struggle with bloating, constipation and low energy.
How I tested: I had AG1 every day for three months to see if it would make a difference to the above ailments.
Star rating:
Pros:
Improved digestion, thanks to the inclusion of pre and probiotics
Effective in easing bloating
Wide array of essential nutrients
Pleasant taste compared to other greens powders on the market
Free from gluten, peanuts, and dairy
Easy to incorporate into daily routine
Ideal for supplementing vitamins and nutrients in diets lacking in fruits and vegetables
Cons:
Pricier compared to other greens powders
Concentration of certain ingredients may exceed the body's absorption capacity
Some components may interfere with medication, necessitating consultation with a healthcare professional beforehand.
In my quest for more information, I spoke to Dr. Ralph Esposito, the Chief Science and Nutrition Officer at Athletic Greens and professor at NYU. He was able to shed light on various aspects of AG1 and its effects.
What is in AG1?
Athletic Greens AG1 is absolutely chock-full of vitamins, minerals, probiotics and adaptogens, including (but not limited to):
Vitamins
Minerals
Probiotics
Adaptogens
AG1 is a supplement, not a substitute for a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. You'll still need to be eating a balanced diet full of lots of fruit and vegetables.
Is AG1 good for bloating and digestion?
Dr. Esposito explained that AG1's effectiveness in reducing bloating and improving digestion is mainly attributed to the presence of well-researched probiotics like Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. These probiotics are renowned for their positive impact on the gut's microbiome, leading to noticeable improvements for many individuals.
Whenever I travel I struggle with bloating and constipation, so on my last trip I brought along a few sachets of AG1 to see if it would help.
I think it's down to the lack of sleep, eating at different times and eating foods my body isn't used to, but starting the day by drinking a glass of AG1 helped me get my digestion going in the morning and relived the uncomfortable constipation I'm usually plagued by when I go away.
How long does AG1 take to work?
Dr. Esposito advised that after 90 days of taking AG1 'mostly everybody should be noticing some type of benefit'. For me, the effects on my digestion didn't take long to kick in at all. While before I started taking AG1 in the morning it would take a while for my digestion to get going in the morning, I now find things are moving a lot faster.
In the past I'd have to hang around before going on a long run waiting for a movement, but after having AG1 things are far more efficient digestion-wise.
I already eat a diet filled with fruits and veg so AG1 wasn't filling any gaps in nutrients, but the addition of daily pre and probiotics has helped with the stubborn bloating I experience periodically.
I haven't noticed an improvement on my energy levels, but my skin is the best it's been in years. I've also started a new skincare routine so it's difficult to know how much credit AG1 can take for this one, but it certainly hasn't hurt.
What is the best time of day to take AG1?
Dr. Esposito recommends consuming AG1 on an empty stomach in the morning for optimal nutrient absorption. However, some people take it in the afternoon as a replacement for their midday refreshment.
I opted to have mine in the morning, sometimes on it's own or as part of a breakfast smoothie. When I forgot I had it in the afternoon, and I did feel like it was good for an afternoon pick-me-up.
What does AG1 taste like?
I've tried a few different greens powders in my time and there were one or two that tasted so bad the only way I could drink it was to pinch my nose and down it. Compared to those, AG1 was a breeze to drink.
In a smoothie with berries, yoghurt and other good stuff you can barely taste it. When mixed into water on its own it does have a strong flavour, but because it's naturally flavoured with fruits and stevia it tastes a lot better than the green hue would suggest.
Does AG1 break a fast?
Yes, drinking AG1 would break a fast. In order to fast you can't consume anything with any calories, meaning things like water and black coffee are fine, but AG1 with its 50 calories per scoop would be technically breaking your fast.
Is AG1 good for IBS?
When it comes to managing IBS, Dr. Esposito advises a personalized approach and suggests consulting a healthcare professional for tailored guidance. He said 'everybody's IBS is different. Some people have IBS-C, IBS-D or IBS mixed. I've suffered from IBS pretty much my whole life. So I get it's it's such a challenging condition to treat. But I think it has to be more of a personalised approach'.
Is Athletic Greens worth it?
£97 is a lot to spend on a 30-day supplement supply, but AG1 has worked wonders with its digestion-improving prowess and nutrient-rich formula so I'll be continuing to take it daily. For those who want a more affordable option, read our nutrition editor's review of green powder by another brand that's much more cost effective.
How much does AG1 cost?
One bag of AG1 costs £97 and that comes with 30 servings, so it's roughly a months supply.
You can also sign up on a subscription basis where you'll get sent a bag a month for £79, or a double subscription where you'll get two bags of AG1 a month for £150.
Is AG1 available in the UK
Yes, it absolutely is. Athletic Greens has its own DTC website where you can buy AG1, and it's not stocked on any other retailers in the UK.
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