Are Greens Powders Worth the Hype?

In the world of health and wellness, the debate over the effectiveness of dietary supplements is ongoing. One category that has gained significant attention recently is greens powders, with that comes the burning question – are greens powders truly worth the hype? Let's delve into the facts and separate the myths from reality.

Easily integrating into your daily routine, greens powders offer a convenient way of elevating your daily nutrient intake. However, not all greens powders are created equal and sometimes it can be hard to distinguish between effective options and those that are just a waste of money - unless you know what to look for. Greens powders are undeniably worth it IF you know what to look out for.

Here are some key things to look for to help you make an informed decision and maximize the benefits of your greens powder:

Clinically Effective Doses:
Arguably one of the most important factors to watch out for! Many greens powders on the market fall short in delivering their touted benefits due to the use of suboptimal ingredient doses. This cost-cutting strategy, not only compromises the effectiveness of the product but also often demands for the addition of fillers to add substance (discussed further below). Take broccoli sprouts, for instance – their incredible benefits might be lost if your greens powder provides a mere 20mg per day. An easy indicator of suboptimal doses is to pay attention to the "other ingredients" section on the label for any fillers.

Spotting Filler Ingredients:
Low-quality greens powders often resort to the inclusion of filler ingredients to cut production costs or compensate for insufficient ingredient doses. These fillers not only diminish the overall nutritional value but can also hold adverse reactions for some people. While most fillers aren't dangerous some can cause inflammation, bloating, impact nutrient absorption (contradicting the point of a greens powder), and negatively alter the microbiome. Some fillers may also be used to make a product smoother and prevent clumping. Fillers are often listed under "other ingredients" on the nutrition label, some common fillers are Magnesium Stearate, Cellulose, Potassium Sorbate, and Maltodextrin.

"Natural Flavors":
Despite being seemingly innocuous, "natural flavors," frequently employed in greens powders for taste, can hide a multitude of chemically altered ingredients. In the supplement industry, this ingredient is often used to camoflage chemically altered ingredients under the appearance of being natural and healthy. The term "natural flavors" can encompass up to 200 undisclosed ingredients! The best way to know exactly what you're putting into your body is to steer clear of products that use natrual flavours.

Realistic Expectations for Results:
Be wary of greens powders that promise overnight transformations – often, these are the least effective. Achieving tangible results takes time and consistency, and greens powders are no exception. Although probably not what you wanted to hear, the good news is the wait isn't too long. While some benefits may become noticeable within the first week, it's more likely you'll start to notice results within two weeks and the full effects within a month. Patience is key as your body needs time to absorb and respond to all the nutrients.

Greens powders that are worth the hype focus on delivering genuine results and benefits, over a profit-driven approach. When navigating through the crowd of options, pay attention to ingredient doses, fillers, the brands messaging, and natural flavors.