Does the trendy green powder really work? Experts give verdict

Ground vegetable powder blends are the latest health craze to take wellness blogs and social media by storm.

However, it is unclear whether supplements costing up to $100 a month have measurable benefits.

The popularity of powdered vegetables is exploding among wellness enthusiasts GOOP founder etc. Gwyneth Paltrow and Joe Rogan.

The market for powdered superfoods is growing rapidly, with the total market size projected to exceed $280 million by 2021. Up from $197 million 3 years ago. Powdered vegetable industry Expected to reach $673 million By 2028.

The scoopable green powder makes some great claims, including reducing bloating, improving circulation, boosting energy, and supporting immunity.

The powder dissolves in liquids, making it easy to add to water, smoothies and workout shakes

But New Hampshire-based nutritionist Kathleen Lopez told DailyMail.com: If this person does it, I will do it. But does the science out there support it? I would say no.

Powdered vegetables are concentrates of leafy greens and other vegetables, seaweeds, grasses, antioxidant-rich fruits and herbs. Some varieties contain prebiotics and probiotics. The greens dissolve in liquids and are easily consumed by scooping them into a glass of water or smoothie.

The idea that one scoop of powder can cover a day’s worth of fruits and vegetables is particularly appealing. average american I struggle to consume enough produce and whole grains.

Some top-selling brands claim their products detoxify the body and boost energy. However, some claim that it helps satisfy hunger.

Research on the health claims of various green powders is limited and usually funded by the manufacturers of these products, so whether or not they do those things is largely anecdotal.

Companies can claim that the powder has many benefits just by saying the ingredients are related to such benefits. is associated with good blood pressure control.

There is little evidence to support the effectiveness of powdered vegetables. In fact, some scientific studies investigating products were funded by the product manufacturers themselves.

In 2009, 40 students and faculty At Logan College of Chiropractic in Missouri, participants were given NanoGreens supplement powder containing potassium for 90 days to test its effectiveness in lowering high blood pressure.

Ultimately, taking two tablespoons of green powder daily reduced both systolic and diastolic blood pressure by about 8%, while the control group did not. With that good news in mind, the study authors said more studies with larger sample sizes are needed.

Most powdered veggies are touted as packed with antioxidants, power ingredients beloved for their ability to fight free radicals that damage healthy cells. Only one clinical study investigated

a 2011 report by Canadian researchers tested the antioxidant power of a specific blend of greens called Greens+ in 10 human subjects. They consumed 3 to 6 teaspoons of the herbal preparation daily for 4 weeks and had blood samples taken at the beginning and end of the 4-week study.

The researchers noted no change in the subjects’ BMI or weight. But over four weeks, people who consumed six teaspoons daily had significantly elevated levels of antioxidants in their blood, helping to prevent cell damage, fend off heart disease, slow aging, stave off cancer, and improve vision. It helped me maintain

The scientific evidence supporting the effectiveness of various products is sponsored primarily by the manufacturers of the products themselves, making it more difficult to reach unbiased scientific decisions about them.

Given the financial conflict of interest, it’s worth taking the relatively sparse evidence in favor of the powder’s benefits with a grain of salt.

In a flood of expensive wellness trends, it can be difficult to discern what’s valuable and what’s good marketing.

A strong selling point of many products on the market is that most contain nutrient-dense foods that have a significant impact on health, such as kale, seaweed, and antioxidant-rich berries.

They are useful for people who cannot otherwise get the daily nutrients they need from whole produce.

Especially for athletes, powdered greens are attractive for their portability and effectiveness as post-workout recovery elixirs.

But nutrition experts warn that supplements are just supplements. Powdered formulas are no substitute for simple salads, lightly roasted vegetables, or fruit bowls.

Sarasota-based nutritionist Bonnie London tells DailyMail.com:

“That said, it’s certainly applicable in a modern world where our food supply has depleted so many nutrients in the last 30 years. No. It’s kind of like insurance and I don’t think it will necessarily hurt you.

Sales are booming, despite spotty evidence supporting the product’s claims.

And with the endorsement of star social media influencers and the massive influx of venture capital over the past few years, the market continues to expand.

New Zealand-born startup Athletic Greens is now a leader in the powdered supplement industry. Reach “Unicorn” status Last year, it raised $115 million in new funding and a new valuation of over $1 billion.

AG’s market share is a bucket drop in the global wellness industry currently valued at $4 trillion. The quest for whole-body wellness is a hot commodity.

The brand has a large following on social media and is a large part of the industry’s base.

Mr Lopez said: ‘

With support from major players such as Oprah Winfrey, Drew Barrymore, Elle Macpherson, who has her own powdered greens supplement, and Joe Rogan, who has a paid partnership with Athletic Greens, There are endless ads for powder on Instagram and Tik Tok.

Green powder has some major celebrity endorsements

Celebrity endorsements such as Joe Rogan and Oprah are generally effective in motivating consumers.

However, not all greens supplements are created equal.

“It doesn’t matter if it says green. You have to flip it over to see what’s inside. Ultimately, unfortunately, all products have one thing in common, and it’s the buyer’s attention.” ‘

Regulators are uneven on the consumer base. As with vitamins, the Food and Drug Administration does not have regulatory oversight over manufacturers of green powdered beverages as it does with pharmaceuticals. I do not have the authority to review safety and efficacy before.

That’s not to say supplement safety is in the wild west. Buyers can rely on independent third-party testing and certification standards such as the National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) and the US Pharmacopeia (USP). For example, athletic greens are certified by NSF.

These groups ensure that both the ingredients and amounts listed on the label are exactly the same as those contained in the product bottle. We also certify that our products are free of defects and manufactured in accordance with FDA’s current Good Manufacturing Practices for the use of hygienic and well-controlled conditions.

Green formulations vary depending on the company that manufactures them.a top seller on amazon Retail price is about $45 for a 30-day supply (about $6 per ounce) and provides 70% of your daily vitamin K allowance and 35% of your daily vitamin A, plus prebiotics and probiotics. contained.

Athletic Greens is the more expensive product totaling about $100 for 30 days and contains powdered greens, probiotics and prebiotics, and enzymes, adaptogens and antioxidants from all the nutrients. .

this is long nutrition label One 12-gram scoop of earthen powder contains 62% of the vitamin A daily value of a healthy diet, 553% of the daily value of vitamin E, and 917% of the daily value of vitamin B12. reported.

Whole produce is usually much cheaper. But the ease of scooping and pouring vegetables into a glass of water makes washing and chopping fruits and vegetables appealing.

Powdered vegetables, although expensive, are a useful addition to an already healthy diet, but they lack the key nutritional elements fiber and protein. It contains 30 grams of fiber, but protein intake should equate to about 0.8 grams per kilogram of body weight (about 64 grams for a 175-pound man).

However, one serving of Athletic Greens contains 2 grams of fiber and 2 grams of protein. Another market leader, Bloom Nutrition Green Superfood contains 2 grams of fiber and zero protein. An option touted as rich in protein, Sprout Living Epic Protein contains 4 grams of fiber and 20 grams of protein.