Sometimes it can feel like we can’t see the wood for the trees when we’re shopping around and trying to compare greens superfood products. What is it that makes something stand out from the crowd and really jump out at us? What is that one particular element that makes us want to spend our hard-earned money on one product and not another?
This will, of course, depend on the customer and what their motivation to purchase is. Some companies will find a hook, a unique selling point, and will use that one factor to drive their advertising and their story. If successful, this could mean your product is the one that people choose the time and again.
For me, I believe in the integrity of the company. Transparency and honesty are important if you are going to get people to spend their money on your product. This comes down to both being honest about what your product does and what is inside it.
So I’m taking a look at Greens Plus, a superfood powder that is supported by athletes and celebrities and which promises to give higher energy levels, detoxification, healthy aging, and improved immune function.
First Impressions
Looking at Greens Plus I can see that this product line already looks like many others on the market. It seems to be aiming at the all-rounder superfood powders market but also with the aim of targeting people who may exercise a lot and feel they have additional nutritional needs. Using the testimonials of athletes is a good way to get people’s attention as it looks good for those who take supplements for aspirational reasons and is visually appealing.
Looking at the product pages I can clearly see what the tub of Greens plus looks like and I can look at the whole range of products. It’s interesting that the superfood powder also includes probiotics (alongside raw greens, superfruits, vegetables, and sea vegetables).
I’m especially interested in products that combine so many ingredients because I’m interested in seeing whether they can achieve an optimal dose in each daily scoop (or portion).
Background on Greens Plus
If it’s a story you’re looking for, then Greens Plus has it.
The company was formed when Lani Deuville (who had injured her back in a diving accident) and her brother-in-law Sam Graci saw ‘first hand’ the transformational effects of superfood ingredients on the body’s ability to repair itself and decided to share their experience through marketing their own superfood formulation.
Graci and Deuville credit the power of superfoods with ‘completely transforming Lani’s health’ and claim that Lani never went back into the hospital. Greens Plus was shared with friends and family and then with local stores and healthcare professionals. It is now sold nation- and worldwide.
The company has received awards for quality and their product range now includes energy and superfood/protein bars, protein powders, fat-burning formula, superfood capsules, and powder stick packs, along with other supplements for general health.
Greens Plus Ingredients
Now to look at what actually goes into Greens Plus.
The ingredients are helpfully split into specific blends and I’m happy to say that they have given the amounts of each ingredient, not just the amount of each blend.
Greens Plus Superfood Blend (5000mg)
- Organic Barley Grass 2300mg
- Organic Wheat Grass 1500mg
- Organic Alfalfa Grass 650mg
- Organic Oat Grass 300mg
- Organic Dandelion 100mg
- Organic Stevia Leaf 100mg
- Organic Red Beet Juice 50mg
Sea Vegetable Blend (1398mg)
- Organic Spirulina 1000mg
- Organic Chlorella 350mg
- Organic Dunaliella Salina Algae 28mg
- Organic Dulse [Palmeria palmata] 20mg
High-ORAC Superfruit Blend (1352mg)
Dairy-free Probiotic Cultures (200mg)
- L. Acidophilus, L. Casei, L. Plantarum, L. Rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium Breve and Longum, Fructo-Oligosaccharides
Later on, in this review, I will take a look at whether or not these amounts are really enough to give the benefits that Greens Plus claims.
How Does Greens Plus Taste?
Greens Plus Superfood raw is only flavored with Stevia (and the natural fruit and vegetable flavorings in the blend), it also comes in Wild Berry, Amazon Chocolate, and Vanilla Chai flavors.
Side Effects
You might experience some digestive discomfort if you are not already taking products containing probiotics or dietary fiber. This is because these ingredients are known to have a digestive effect and also because your system may need a while to get used to the daily introduction of new foods.
Does Greens Plus Actually Work?
Firstly a reminder of what Greens Plus claims to do: give higher energy levels, detoxification, healthy aging and improved immune function. Looking through the ingredients for superfoods heavy-hitters I find the following.
Spirulina 1000mg – this algae is thought to improve the following functions – muscle performance, blood glucose levels, blood pressure. A dose of 1-8g per day is most effective (source).
Chlorella 350mg – another alga that is thought to help with antioxidation in the body, thus having effects on cholesterol, blood pressure, and immunity, it is suggested at doses of around 6-10g daily.
Barley Grass (2300mg) and Wheat Grass (1500mg) – Both high in vitamins (A, C and E), iron, magnesium and calcium. They also contain amino acids. There is no recommended daily dose as studies are not conclusive using human subjects. Studies into the compounds these grasses contain has shown that, while these antioxidants may protect the body against oxidative stress, these have been limited to test tube and animal studies (source).
Given that the nutritional profile of the powder is adequate for delivering necessary and essential vitamins, minerals, and amino acids, it is bound to be helpful for people who are not already receiving adequate nutrition. But whether or not the potent plant ingredients are included in large enough doses to give the results the manufacturers claim, is a subject only to be proven by scientific trials.
The reviews customers have given are subjective and therefore can’t be considered to be wholly accurate.
Greens Plus Customer Reviews
From reading a selection of the reviews I can see that some customers are real fans where others have not been so impressed.
I’ll give a selection from the Amazon selling page:
Currently I add it to my morning nutribullet smoothie and feel good all dayfive-star review
two stars – taste2 stars
25% of the product is filler – soy lecithin1 star
One particular reviewer on Amazon claims that the nutritional content of a newer formulation has been reduced, they have done this by comparing the nutritional information on an old and ‘newer’ pack. Some also voice concerns that the product contains almost a quarter of the whole formulation as soy lecithin. The newer formulation appears to include sunflower lecithin rather than soy.
Another complaint that Greens Plus may contain lead.
Money Back Guarantee / Returns Policy
Unused product can be returned for 30 days, used (opened) products may only be returned if defective.
Where to Buy Greens Plus?
You can buy Greens plus online or at Amazon
Is It Worth the Price?
At $29.95, Greens Plus is a good all-rounder greens product, although I would have liked to see some more of the key ingredients and less of those which I always think are a bit like ‘filler’. It’s a good option for those on a budget and represents fairly good value for money if you are wanting to get the basic dose of superfoods in your diet.
On the downside it may – or may not (depending on which reviews you read) – contain lead. It’s always worth taking an objective look at reviews and working out for yourself whether something is for you or not.
The Bottom Line
Full of superfoods and containing all the necessary vitamins and minerals to cover your nutritional needs, Greens plus is a good all-rounder superfood supplement powder.
Taking a measured view about the ‘science’ is important, as is deciding for yourself whether you are convinced by the benefits the sportspeople and celebrities are talking about when they give their testimonials for a particular product. I would definitely say that this gives some weight to the marketing messages but it doesn’t necessarily tell you more about what Greens plus can do for you in your everyday life.
Saying this, I do feel that taking a greens powder every day has improved my energy levels and supported my immune functions.
In short, if you are looking for a nutritional boost or to cover all bases, Greens Plus is an adequate superfoods powder, with the added benefit of probiotics if you are not already consuming these in your diet. If you’re looking for the benefits of the nutritional heavyweights of algae and grasses, you might want to look for more concentrated supplements rather than one that contains lecithin, veggies, or fruit powders.
LifeHacker Guy Greens Recommendation
Some Call This An "Extreme" Step...
Most super greens supplements are disappointing.
I learned this the hard way. After creating this blog in 2018, I spent months buying and testing all the most popular brands.
I wasn’t happy with the results so I did something you might call "extreme"....
In 2019 I created my own brand that ticks every single box of what I look for in a super greens product:
- No hidden ingredient amounts - we have full disclosure labelling, so you know EXACTLY whats inside
- Ingredient amounts that make a difference - we include the minimum effective amounts supported by research, and most of the time, MORE
- Ingredients that help immunity, boost mental clarity and shake off brain fog - making for a much more productive and happy lifestyle
No more worrying about ineffective ingredients or too low dosages. I finally have a product I KNOW does the job it’s made to do.
I use it every day and, after years of battling Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), I now have my energy (and my life!) back.
The good news? I made my brand available to the public so you can see and feel the difference for yourself.
Where does one find your product?