Anyone who deals with nutrition and especially dietary supplements has certainly heard of it: «Athletic Greens». A supplement with 72 vitamins and minerals that just seems to be perfect for everyone. But how does a nutrition expert assess the trend? FITBOOK puts «Athletic Greens» to the test.
From professional athletes to entrepreneurs to coaches, everyone seems to be completely convinced and enthusiastic about «Athletic Greens» (AG1). This is a powdered supplement that you mix with water to make an effervescent drink. Consumed daily, it is said to optimize health and performance. FITBOOK wanted to know the opinion of a nutritionist on «Athletic Greens» – and he criticized the product.
What does “Athletic Greens” promise?
“75 high quality ingredients from real food. One scoop or travel pack, 250ml of water, once a day. It’s easy,» says the Athletic Greens website. If you take the supplement daily, it is said to support the immune system and energy metabolism. It’s also said to promote gut health and help muscles recover.
In fact, the product has apparently gained quite a few fans, including well-known athletes who sing the praises on the AG1 homepage. For example, extreme sportsman Jonas Deichmann explains: “Having a balanced diet is very difficult on my adventures. AG1 optimizes my daily supply of vitamins, minerals and more.” And other athletes also seem to feel “more energetic”, “more powerful” and “recovered faster” by taking AG1. These include extreme mountaineer Jost Kobusch and long-distance runners Anna and Lisa Hahner. The product is also praised in various podcasts by fitness and health experts as «the only one I’ve been taking for years». What’s behind the hype?
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Assessment of the nutritionist
But how does a nutrition expert assess the ingredients and potential effects of «Athletic Greens»? FITBOOK initially hired diabetologist, nutritionist and internist Dr. Matthias Riedl asked for his assessment.
The ingredients
The list of ingredients on the back of the AG1 packaging makes a first impression. The dietary supplement contains vitamins A, B, C, E, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, sodium, selenium and folic acid, among other things. The product also offers plant extracts, digestive enzymes and probiotic bacteria. for dr However, according to Riedl, the ingredients in AG1 are «any combination of most vitamins and minerals with a mini amount of protein and fiber.» He doesn’t understand why.
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When asked by FITBOOK, Dr. Riedl continues: «Overall, it’s an expensive, well-packaged multivitamin. There are also plant extracts with alleged secondary plant substances. However, many plant compounds are sensitive to processing. It is doubtful whether these will still have an effect here. The addition of bacteria is still scientifically very controversial.” According to the nutritionist, there is also no scientific evidence for the manufacturer’s advertising claims.
It is better to take vitamins and co. through your diet
dr Riedl warns against replacing a meal with «Athletic Greens». It should, if at all, be used strictly as a dietary supplement – i.e. in addition to normal food. While the supplement contains vitamins and botanicals, “it lacks everything else that plants bring us: fiber, powerful phytochemicals, long-chain carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. It can’t replace a meal because it isn’t one.» The expert contradicts, for example, the statement by triathlete and Ironman Sebastian Kienle, who is quoted by «Athletic Greens» as follows: «For me, ‘Athletic Greens’ is not just a dietary supplement , it’s just a great, nutrient-dense food.”
The expert recommends avoiding dietary supplements such as AG1 and instead absorbing the important nutrients through your diet. Critically sees Dr. Riedl partly also the dosage of the «Athletic Greens» ingredients – for example in the case of vitamin E. «Some are contained in such insanely high doses that I would advise against them.» This also applies to athletes in particular: «Too many Antioxidants can damage the stimulus to build muscle. You don’t want that.»
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Who is Athletic Greens suitable for?
dr Riedl does not consider the supplement to be suitable for very active or inactive people. “I see a danger that people might think this is replacing healthy eating. Instead, it feigns pseudo-individualization and could even prevent people from eating healthily. It does harm. The whole thing is an attempt to extract healthy things from the plant world and sell them at high prices,” explains the doctor.
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Conclusion of the expert criticism of «Athletic Greens»
dr Riedl’s criticism of «athletic greens» is comprehensive. From the ingredients, to the advertising messages, to the promised effect, the nutritionist has a lot to complain about or doubt about AG1. For him, the hype of the powder-based drink is not justified. His verdict is therefore very clear: «Hands off!»
Based on the expert’s assessment, which is independent but always subjective, we wanted to see Athletic Greens for ourselves – and tested the product for a month. In the second part of our “Athletic Greens” check, you can read about the experiences of FITBOOK editor Melanie when taking AG1 and how surprisingly it affected her blood count.