Can You Put Athletic Greens (AG1) in Hot Water?

December 30, 2025 •

3 min read

Athletic Greens (now known as AG1) explicitly advises against mixing its powder with hot liquids, as this can compromise the product's integrity. This is because the supplement contains several temperature-sensitive ingredients, including live probiotics and various vitamins, which can be damaged or destroyed by heat. Adhering to the manufacturer’s instructions ensures you get the full nutritional benefit of your daily serving.

Quick Summary

You should not mix Athletic Greens (AG1) with hot water. Heat can negatively impact the integrity and efficacy of its key ingredients, particularly the live probiotics and various vitamins and minerals. The best way to consume the greens powder is by mixing it with cold water or other cool liquids to preserve its nutritional value.

Key Points

Avoid Hot Liquids: Heat destroys the live probiotics and denatures sensitive vitamins and enzymes in Athletic Greens (AG1).
Use Cold Water: The manufacturer explicitly recommends mixing the powder with 8–10 ounces of cold water for optimal absorption and efficacy.
Compromised Efficacy: Exposure to heat can significantly reduce the overall nutritional value of the supplement.
Alteration of Flavor: Mixing with hot liquids can negatively affect the pleasant pineapple-vanilla flavor, making it taste more bitter or earthy.
Preserve Potency: For best results, use a cold liquid or blend the powder into a cold smoothie to maintain the integrity of all the active ingredients.
Storage is Key: Always refrigerate your Athletic Greens after opening to preserve the efficacy of its live ingredients.

Why Hot Water and Athletic Greens Don't Mix

The primary reason to avoid mixing Athletic Greens (AG1) with hot water is the degradation of its potent ingredients. The formula contains a blend of vitamins, minerals, superfoods, and probiotics designed to support foundational nutrition. When exposed to high temperatures, several of these components are susceptible to damage, rendering them less effective or completely inert.

Temperature-Sensitive Ingredients

Live Probiotics: AG1 contains several strains of live probiotics to support gut health. These beneficial bacteria are extremely sensitive to heat and are easily killed by hot water. Mixing the powder with hot water essentially eliminates the gut-supporting benefits of the probiotics.
Vitamins and Antioxidants: The supplement is rich in vitamins, including B vitamins, vitamin C, and vitamin E, along with various antioxidants. Water-soluble vitamins, like vitamin C and some B vitamins, are particularly fragile and can break down when exposed to high heat. This means you lose a significant portion of the nutritional value you are paying for.
Enzymes and Phytonutrients: The product also includes digestive enzymes and phytonutrients from whole-food sources. These delicate compounds can be denatured, or structurally altered, by heat, which diminishes their functional properties. The high heat effectively negates the intended benefits of these sensitive plant-based ingredients.

Potential Side Effects of Mixing with Heat

While mixing AG1 with hot water won't make it toxic, it can cause other less-than-desirable outcomes:

Loss of Nutritional Efficacy: The most significant downside is simply not getting the full health benefits. You are paying a premium for a product designed to deliver a specific nutritional profile, and hot water compromises that delivery.
Changes in Taste and Texture: Heat can alter the mild, refreshing taste of AG1, potentially making it taste more earthy or bitter. It may also affect the powder's solubility, resulting in a clumpier, less pleasant texture.
Reduced Alkalinity: The company discourages mixing with hot or highly acidic liquids partly because it can reduce the product's alkalinity. This alteration can change the intended effect of the formula on your body's pH balance, though the full implications of this for overall health are a subject of ongoing debate.

Comparison: Mixing with Cold vs. Hot Liquids

To illustrate the difference in efficacy, here is a comparison of what happens when you mix Athletic Greens with cold vs. hot liquids.


Feature	Mixing with Cold Water/Liquid	Mixing with Hot Water/Liquid
Probiotic Health	Preserves the live cultures, supporting gut microbiome health.	Kills live probiotics, eliminating their intended benefit.
Nutrient Integrity	Protects heat-sensitive vitamins (e.g., C, B-vitamins), enzymes, and phytonutrients.	Degrades or destroys many temperature-sensitive vitamins and nutrients, reducing overall potency.
Taste Profile	Retains the mild, slightly sweet vanilla-pineapple flavor profile.	Can lead to an altered, more bitter or earthy flavor.
Solubility	Mixes easily with 8–12 ounces of cold water when shaken or stirred.	May result in clumping or poor solubility, affecting texture.
pH Balance	Maintains the formula's intended alkaline composition.	Can reduce the product's alkalinity, altering the formula's effect.
Manufacturer's Advice	Officially recommended preparation method.	Advised against to protect integrity and efficacy.

Better Ways to Incorporate Athletic Greens

For best results, stick to the manufacturer's recommendation of using cold or room-temperature liquids. Here are some popular and effective methods:

Classic Cold Water Shake: The simplest method is mixing one scoop with 8-10 ounces of ice-cold water in a shaker bottle. This preserves all the active ingredients and is the brand's preferred method.
Smoothie Booster: Blend your daily scoop into a smoothie with fruits, vegetables, and a liquid base like almond milk or juice. The cold temperature from frozen fruit or ice cubes will help keep the ingredients potent.
Juice Mixer: For a sweeter, fruitier flavor, mix your AG1 with a splash of apple juice, orange juice, or any other cold, non-acidic juice.
Plant-Based Milk: Stir or blend the powder into cold plant-based milk, such as almond, oat, or coconut milk, for a creamier consistency.

Conclusion

In summary, while it may seem convenient to add Athletic Greens to a cup of hot tea or coffee, it is strongly advised against. The heat will significantly diminish the supplement's nutritional value by damaging the live probiotics and heat-sensitive vitamins. To ensure you receive the full range of benefits from your investment, always mix Athletic Greens with cold or cool liquids, and follow the manufacturer's directions for storage and usage. Your gut health and nutritional intake will thank you.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mixing Athletic Greens with hot water is not recommended because the high temperature can destroy heat-sensitive ingredients, especially the live probiotics, vitamins, and digestive enzymes, which reduces the overall efficacy of the supplement.

The best way to mix and consume Athletic Greens is by combining one scoop with 8 to 12 ounces of cold or room-temperature water. For variety, you can also blend it into a cold smoothie with fruit or mix it with a cool plant-based milk.

No, hot water will not make Athletic Greens dangerous or toxic, but it will diminish its nutritional potency. You will still be consuming the greens powder, but the heat-sensitive beneficial bacteria and vitamins will likely be damaged.

No, you should not mix Athletic Greens with hot coffee or tea. The heat from these beverages will have the same negative impact on the supplement's key ingredients as hot water.

The live probiotics in Athletic Greens are very sensitive to heat. When mixed with hot water, the high temperature will kill the beneficial bacteria, rendering them ineffective for supporting your gut health.

Yes, mixing with hot water can change the flavor of Athletic Greens. The heat can alter the powder's mild pineapple and vanilla notes, possibly leading to a more bitter or unpleasant earthy taste.

While slightly warm water is less damaging than hot water, it is still best to stick with cold or cool liquids. The goal is to maintain the integrity of all the sensitive ingredients, and using cold liquids is the safest and most effective method.