A Battle for Superfood Supremacy

In this article, I will compare Greens Freak vs Athletic Greens. Both are chock full of superfood ingredients and potential health benefits. 

A greens powder can be helpful whether you’re an athlete looking to improve recovery or someone trying to improve your gut health. It just depends on which one. With so many on the market, how do you choose?

As a dietitian with a background in nutrition research, I can shed some light on the key aspects of each of these popular products.

At a Glance

While both Greens Freak and Athletic Greens offer an array of nutrients, there are certain factors that set them apart. 

Greens Freak is described as a hybrid superfood supplement for athletes and weight lifters. It’s a blend of superfoods as well as other ingredients with potentially beneficial properties. 

This would be a good option for you if you are looking for a more budget-friendly supplement that may support your gains.

On the other hand, Athletic Greens is a daily dose of comprehensive nutrition that may also provide benefits for gut health, athletic performance, and general wellness.

Of the two, Athletic Greens comes out on top. While it costs more, AG1 has more certifications and evidence-based research backing its claims, as well as more perks like travel packs, subscriptions, and a 97.2% customer satisfaction rating.

Keep reading for the full information about both supplements, their pros, cons, and more.

Quick Facts: Face To Face Comparison

	Greens Freak	Athletic Greens
Major Health Claims	Cognitive Support Skin Support Immune Boosters	Promotes Gut Health Supports Immunity Boosts Energy Helps Recovery
Listed Dietary Preferences	Vegan	Dairy-free, Wheat-free, Gluten-free, Corn-free, Lactose-free, Sucrose-free, Egg-free, Peanut-free, and Vegan
Ingredient Count	Not listed	75
Probiotic Count	6 Billion CFU	7.2 Billion CFU
Calories per Serving	Not listed	50 Calories per scoop
Macronutrient Count per serving	Not listed	6g Carbohydrate, 2g Protein, No fat listed
Net Carbs Per Serving	Not listed	4g
Serving Recommendations	Mix 1 scoop with 8 ounces (237 mL) of water and consume immediately.	Take one scoop (12g) per day with 8-10 ounces of water first thing in the morning.
Flavors	Vanilla ChaiSweet AppleMango Pineapple	Vanilla Pineapple
Price Per Serving	$1.49	$2.63 – $3.30
Certifications	Third-party tested	NSF Certified for Sport Third-party tested by NSF Manufactured in a TGA-registered, NSF (GMP) registered facilities

Greens Freak vs Athletic Greens: Introductions

What is Greens Freak?

Greens Freak is described as a hybrid superfood supplement made by Pharma Freak. Its key ingredients include greens like spirulina, chlorella, echinacea, and astragalus as well as antioxidants like lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C. 

It comes in three different flavors including mango pineapple, vanilla chai, and sweet apple. Greens Freak also boasts benefits for athletes and weightlifters like better immune health, improved skin, and enhanced cognitive support.

What is Athletic Greens?

Athletic Greens, known as AG1, is one of the most popular superfood supplements on the market. It’s known for its touted benefits for gut health, energy, and recovery for athletes. 

It only comes in one original flavor, which is described as a refreshing vanilla pineapple. Other highlights include 7.2 Billion CFU probiotics, an adaptogen blend, and National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) certification for sport.

Greens Freak vs Athletic Greens: Standout Features

Greens Freak

• Third-party tested
• Fewer proprietary blends
• Three flavor options

Athletic Greens

• 75 different ingredients
• Marketed as paleo and keto-friendly
• NSF Certified for Sport
• Third-party tested by NSF
• Manufactured in TGA-registered, NSF (GMP) registered facilities
• Includes macronutrient information

Greens Freak Overview

Greens Freak is a supplement produced by Pharma Freak, a supplement company founded in 2008. 

Pharma Freak sells many supplements, including protein powders, weight loss supplements, creatine, and hormonal supplements.

Main Benefits 

• May Support Skin Appearance: The Skin Glow Complex in Greens Freak contains lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants that have been shown to improve skin health. Research shows this pair might improve overall skin tone.

• Could Improve Immune Health: There is an Immune Support Complex in Greens Freak that contains echinacea, astragalus, and royal jelly – three ingredients known for their immuno-supportive properties. 

For example, echinacea and astragalus are two herbs that have been used in traditional medicine to ward off illness. Meanwhile, royal jelly helps to suppress hormones that peak during illness. 

• May Offer Adrenal Support: For athletes, protecting your adrenal gland can be very important for hormonal and energy regulation. Licorice, for example, may be capable of supporting adrenal function by possibly helping to regulate your hormones.

Pros

• Third-party tested
• Vegan
• More budget-friendly than other superfood supplements
• Lists volume of some ingredients 
• Three flavor options

Cons

• Still has proprietary blends
• No FAQ on their website
• No research on their site
• No subscription or multiple-container deals

Athletic Greens Overview

Athletic Greens, now known as AG1, is a very popular superfood supplement that started production in 2014.

After 52 iterations, the current supplement has been perfected to offer a comprehensive panel of nutrition, 75 superfood ingredients, and many potential health benefits from gut health to improved aging.

Main Benefits

Not only do they keep us from getting sick in the short term, but they can also reduce the risk of chronic diseases later in life.

• Could Boost Energy: Wheatgrass and beet powder are just two of many ingredients in AG1 that may improve energy levels. Wheatgrass has been shown to improve fatigue in healthy individuals, while beet powder contains nitric oxide, a compound that is present in energy production.

Pros

• 75 nutrient-dense ingredients
• Third-party tested by NSF
• NSF certified for athletes
• 7.2 billion CFU probiotics
• Lists macronutrient information
• Travel packs and subscription purchase options

Cons

• Only one flavor option
• More expensive than other options
• Mainly proprietary blends

Greens Freak vs Athletic Greens: Ingredients Breakdown

Now, let’s dive into the ingredients of each of these products. 

Greens Freak

Greens Freak lists six key ingredients with their measurements, as well as 10 proprietary blends on their ingredient list. 

It’s always important to note that with proprietary blends, we do not see the specific amounts of each ingredient. So, there could be much less or much more than what we could expect.

In Greens Freak, each proprietary blend focuses on a different health benefit, including immune support, liver support, and glowing skin.

One unique blend in Greens Freak is the Focus Nootropic blend. Nootropics are functional ingredients that have been researched for their benefits on cognitive health. 

For example, bacopa and L-theanine in Greens Freak have both been shown to have possible positive effects on things like memory, focus, and overall cognitive performance.  

Another ingredient of note includes iron, which is not present in AG1.  

Lastly, Greens Freak does not list macronutrient or calorie information on its label. 

List of Ingredients

• Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), 250 mg
• Vitamin D (as Cholecalciferol), 10 mcg
• Vitamin E (as DL-alpha-tocopherol acetate), 45 mg
• Zinc (as Zinc Oxide), 15 mg
• Iron, 2 mg
• Sodium, 30 mg
• Spirulina (Arthrospira maxima) (whole cell), 1.5 g
• Chlorella (Chlorella vulgaris) (whole cell), 1 g
• Apple (Malus domestica) (fruit), 1 g
• Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) (leaf), 500 mg
• Barley (Hordeum vulgare) (leaf), 500 mg
• Rice Bran (Oryza sativa) (seed), 200 mg
• Complete Superfoods Complex, 475 mg
  • Bee Pollen (Apis mellifera) (secretion)
  • Spinach (Spinacia oleracea) (whole plant)
  • Acerola (Malpighia glabra) (fruit)
  • Parsley (Petroselinum crispum) (leaf)
• Red Superfoods Complex, 450 mg
  • Beet Juice (Beta vulgaris) (root)
  • Dulse (Palmaria palmata) (whole cell)
• Full Spectrum Antioxidant Complex, 350 mg
  • Barley (Hordeum vulgare) (seed)
  • Ginkgo (Ginkgo biloba) (leaf) Extract”
  • Grape Seed (Vitis vinifera) Extract
  • Green Tea Extract (Camellia sinensis) (leaf)°
• Focus Nootropic Complex**, 250 mg
  • Bacopa (Bacopa monnieri) (root)
  • L-Theanine
• Immune Support Complex**, 220 mg
  • Echinacea angustifolia (root)
  • Astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus) (root)
  • Royal Jelly (Apis mellifera) (secretion)°
• Adaptogen & Adrenal Support Complex**, 210 mg
  • Eleuthero (Eleutherococcus senticosus) (root)
  • Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra) (root)
• Proprietary Probiotic Culture Complex*
  • Inulin
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus
  • Lactobacillus bulgaricus
  • Bifidobacterium bifidum
  • Bifidobacterium longum
  • Streptococcus thermophilus
• Proprietary Digestive Enzyme Complex, 100 mg
  • Maltodextrin (enzyme carrier)
  • Inulin
  • Bromelain
  • Papain
  • Lipase
  • Protease
• Liver Support Complex**, 60 mg
  • Milk Thistle Extract (Silybum marianum) (seed)>
  • Bilberry Extract (Vaccinium myrtillus) (fruit) A
• Skin Glow Complex**, 12 mg

Athletic Greens

AG1 is made of four proprietary blends, probiotics, and 21 vitamins and minerals. Each blend is separated by category of ingredient: 

• Raw superfoods
• Nutrient-dense extracts
• Herbs, & antioxidants
• Digestive enzymes & super mushrooms 
• 7.2 Billion CFU probiotics

AG1’s ingredients are specifically chosen to support one of their five factors of health: energy, immunity, gut health, hormonal and neural support, and healthy aging.

Key unique ingredients include the super mushrooms, reishi and shitake, which are adaptogens. Adaptogens are compounds that may help to regulate your hormones and adapt to stress, which is particularly important for athletes or those undergoing chronic stress.

Other important ingredients of note in AG1 include calcium, chromium, selenium and all of the B vitamins, which are not present on the Greens Freak label.

List of Ingredients

• Alkaline, Nutrient-Dense Raw Superfood Complex, 7,388 mg
  • Spirulina, lecithin, apple powder, inulin, wheat grass juice powder, alfalfa, chlorella, barley leaf, broccoli flower, papaya, pineapple, bilberry fruit extract, grape seed extract, green tea leaf extract, licorice root, lycium berry extract, ginger rhizome, slippery elm, kelp
• Nutrient-Dense Extracts, Herbs, and Antioxidants, 2,732 mg
  • Alkaline pea protein isolate, citrus bioflavonoids extract, artichoke leaf extract, citric acid, rhodiola root, eleuthero root, milk thistle seed, R, S alpha-lipoic acid, ashwagandha, dandelion, hawthorn berry, beta-glucans, policosanol, coenzyme Q-10, stevia, vitamin K2
• Digestive Enzyme and Super Mushroom Complex, 154 mg
  • Astragalus root, bromelain, burdock root, reishi mushroom, shitake mushroom
• Probiotics 7.2 billion CFUs, 38 mg
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus UALz-01, Bifidobacterium bifidum UABb-10
• 21 Vitamins and Minerals
  • Vitamin A: 555mcg, 62% DV
  • Vitamin C: 420mg, 467% DV
  • Vitamin E: 83mg, 553% DV
  • Thiamin: 3mg, 250% DV
  • Riboflavin: 2mg, 154% DV
  • Niacin: 20mg NE, 125% DV
  • Vitamin B6: 3mg, 176% DV
  • Folate: 680mc DFE, 170% DV
  • Vitamin B12: 22mcg, 917% DV
  • Biotin: 22mcg, 1110% DV
  • Pantothenic acid: 4mg, 80% DV
  • Calcium: 118mg, 9% DV
  • Phosphorus: 130mg, 10% DV
  • Magnesium: 26mg, 6% DV
  • Zinc: 15mg, 136% DV
  • Selenium: 20mcg, 36% DV 
  • Copper: 195 mcg, 22% DV
  • Manganese: 400mcg, 17% DV
  • Chromium: 25 mcg, 71% DV
  • Sodium: 45mg, 2% DV
  • Potassium: 300mg, 6% DV

Greens Freak Taste

Greens Freak vs Athletic Greens: Taste Test 

Greens Freak comes in three different flavors: vanilla chai, mango pineapple, and sweet apple. 

They only had one review listed on their website, so I looked elsewhere for customer opinions. Many users liked the vanilla chai flavor, and sweet apple is said to taste generally like other greens supplements. 

There were a lot of users who also reported mixing this supplement with other juices or in smoothies.

Athletic Greens Taste

Athletic Greens is only available in one flavor, which is their original. It is described as a tropical vanilla pineapple that is light and refreshing.

Many users of AG1 reported both on the AG1 website and elsewhere that it has a good taste overall. 

However, with all greens supplements, there will be varying opinions and flavor preferences.

Greens Freak vs Athletic Greens: Pricing Comparison

Greens Freak Price 

• Price
  • It costs $49.99 USD for a one-time buy of one container, or 30 servings of Greens Freak 
  • They don’t offer any subscription or multiple container deals
• Price Per Serving
• Container Size

Athletic Greens Price 

• Price
  • It costs $99 USD for a one-time buy of one container, or 30 servings of Athletic Greens 
  • If you want to buy single-serving travel packets, it will cost $109 for a one-time purchase of 30 packets
  • Opt for a monthly subscription of Athletic Greens for a discount, costing $79 per container or $89 for 30-travel packs per month
• Price Per Serving
  • $3.30 per serving without a subscription
  • $3.63 per travel pack without a subscription
  • $2.63 per serving with a subscription
  • $2.97 per travel pack with a subscription
• Container Size
  • 12.7 oz per container
  • 12g per travel pouch 

Comparison of Side Effects and Safety

Pharma Freak suggests on its website that users should check with a healthcare professional regarding any medical or health-related diagnosis or treatment options. 

Meanwhile, AG1 recommends that anyone who is under medical supervision, on medication, is pregnant, breastfeeding, or under 18 should refrain from taking AG1 without checking with a healthcare professional. 

Both products are generally well-tolerated. With any supplement that contains probiotics, users may notice digestive issues, bloating, or constipation. This is normally caused by a new, high dose of probiotics and can be regulated over time. 

Greens Freak vs Athletic Greens: Which Is the Best Option?

Choosing the best option here depends on your personal health goals and lifestyle preferences.

If you’re looking for an affordable, fitness-focused supplement that has a few flavor options, Greens Freak will probably be the better choice.

However, if you’d rather have a supplement that offers subscription or travel packs, is focused on overall health as well as fitness, and has backing from a broad scientific board and the NSF, AG1 will be best.

Why We Think AG1 Is the Better Option

Overall, I think Athletic Greens is the better choice. 

It has more evidence-based research backing its claims, certifications, and customer satisfaction than Greens Freak.

And, Athletic Greens offers more perks like travel packs and subscription savings. 

Final Thoughts on Greens Freak vs Athletic Greens

Overall, both supplements are third-party tested and can be good options depending on your goals.

Greens Freak is targeted toward lifters, and AG1 is more for overall wellness and recovery.

Just keep in mind that these supplements cannot replace a healthy diet, regular exercise, and proper rest. They are just meant to add on to all that other good stuff!

If you want to try Athletic Greens for yourself, click here to make your first purchase.

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