Super greens powders and whole food supplements have surged in popularity as a convenient way to add more nutrients to a daily diet. Two prominent players in this market are Balance of Nature and Live It Up Super Greens, but they differ significantly in their approach, ingredients, and cost structure. Understanding these distinctions is key to selecting the right product for your health needs.
Ingredients and Formulation: Whole Foods vs. Diverse Blends
The fundamental difference lies in what these supplements are made of and how they are formulated. Balance of Nature focuses on providing a simple, whole-food supplement, while Live It Up offers a more complex, bio-optimized super greens blend that includes additional functional ingredients.
Balance of Nature: Capsules of Whole, Powdered Foods
Balance of Nature’s core offering, the Fruits & Veggies set, contains two separate bottles of capsules with a blend of 16 different whole fruits and 15 different whole vegetables, powdered using a vacuum-cold process. However, Balance of Nature does not disclose the specific amount of each ingredient or the micronutrient content on its Supplement Facts panel.
Live It Up Super Greens: A Multifunctional Powder Blend
Live It Up Super Greens is a powdered blend containing over 20 organic superfoods, including leafy greens, algae like spirulina and chlorella, and herbs. A key feature is the inclusion of 5 billion CFUs of probiotics and a digestive enzyme complex, making it a gut-health-focused supplement. Live It Up also provides a transparent Supplement Facts panel listing specific amounts of vitamins and minerals.
How to Take and Taste
Balance of Nature is consumed in capsule form, requiring up to six capsules daily. While the powder can be sprinkled on food, the taste is generally not a positive feature. Live It Up Super Greens is a powder designed to be mixed with water or blended into a smoothie, available in Original and Wild Berries flavors, sweetened with monk fruit extract. Reviews often praise its pleasant taste.
The Cost Factor: Affordability and Transparency
Balance of Nature is often criticized for its high price and a one-time “membership fee” for subscription discounts. Live It Up Super Greens is generally more affordable, priced around $59.99 for a 30-serving pouch with subscription discounts available. Live It Up also offers free shipping for subscribers.
Comparison Table
| Feature | Balance of Nature Fruits & Veggies | Live It Up Super Greens |
|---|---|---|
| Form | Capsules (3 fruits, 3 veggies daily) | Powder (1 scoop daily) |
| Key Ingredients | 31 whole, powdered fruits and vegetables | 20+ organic superfoods, greens, algae, herbs |
| Digestive Support | Papain from papaya (implied) | 5 billion CFU probiotics and digestive enzymes |
| Ingredient Transparency | Low; does not list specific micronutrient values | High; lists specific vitamins and minerals |
| Quality | Whole foods, but organic status and sourcing are unclear | Uses organic vegetables; made in GMP-certified facilities |
| Taste/Flavor | Neutral, but some find the capsules hard to swallow | Enjoyable; Original (mint) and Wild Berries |
| Cost per Serving | ~$3.00 (higher with membership fees) | ~$2.00 (lower with subscription) |
| Gut Health Focus | Minimal, relies on natural food properties | Explicit focus with added probiotics and enzymes |
Which is Right for You?
The choice depends on your priorities. Balance of Nature may appeal if you prefer whole-food capsules and can overlook the high cost and lack of transparency. Live It Up Super Greens is a strong contender if you prioritize transparency, gut-health support, and affordability. Its powder form and pleasant flavors make it a palatable daily habit. The inclusion of organic ingredients, probiotics, and digestive enzymes offers more targeted health benefits, especially for digestive wellness.
Conclusion
Balance of Nature and Live It Up differ significantly in their approach and value. Balance of Nature offers whole-food capsules but lacks transparency and is expensive. Live It Up Super Greens, a powder, is more transparent, affordable, and includes gut-supporting ingredients like probiotics and enzymes, which many dietitians favor. For a well-rounded, transparent, and budget-friendly greens supplement supporting digestive health, Live It Up is often considered the better option. Neither replaces a healthy diet, but Live It Up's approach offers a more compelling proposition for most users.
Note: Consult a healthcare professional before adding any new supplement to your routine.
Key Takeaways
- Formulation: Balance of Nature uses whole food capsules, while Live It Up is a powdered blend with added probiotics and enzymes.
- Cost: Live It Up is significantly more affordable per serving compared to Balance of Nature, which also has a controversial membership fee.
- Transparency: Live It Up provides a clear nutrient breakdown, whereas Balance of Nature uses proprietary blends without disclosing exact ingredient quantities.
- Ease of Use: Live It Up mixes easily into drinks with palatable flavors, while Balance of Nature requires swallowing six large capsules daily.
- Gut Health: Live It Up explicitly supports gut health with added probiotics and enzymes, a key feature missing from Balance of Nature.
- Overall Value: Considering transparency, cost, and targeted benefits, Live It Up Super Greens offers a higher overall value for most consumers seeking a comprehensive greens supplement.
FAQs
Q: Is Live It Up Super Greens or Balance of Nature better for gut health? A: Live It Up Super Greens is explicitly designed to support gut health, containing 5 billion CFUs of dairy-free probiotics and a digestive enzyme complex. Balance of Nature does not include these targeted gut-support ingredients.
Q: Does Live It Up Super Greens contain organic ingredients? A: Yes, Live It Up is made with organic vegetables and is non-GMO, while Balance of Nature does not state that its ingredients are organic.
Q: How do the flavors compare between the two products? A: Live It Up offers pleasant-tasting powder in Original (minty) and Wild Berry flavors. Balance of Nature is a neutral-flavored capsule, and some users find swallowing six large pills daily difficult.
Q: Which supplement is more affordable? A: Live It Up Super Greens is significantly more affordable per serving, especially with a subscription, and does not have hidden membership fees, unlike Balance of Nature.
Q: Is Balance of Nature a scam? A: While not illegal, some consumers and reviewers have raised concerns about Balance of Nature’s high price, lack of ingredient transparency, aggressive marketing, and questionable subscription practices.
Q: Can I take these supplements instead of eating fruits and vegetables? A: No, neither supplement is a replacement for a healthy, balanced diet rich in whole foods. They are designed to be a supplement to, not a substitute for, fruits and vegetables.
Q: Do Live It Up Super Greens contain adaptogens? A: No, Live It Up Super Greens does not contain adaptogens, which are typically found in more comprehensive and often more expensive blends like AG1.
Q: Are there any side effects from these supplements? A: Some users of Balance of Nature have reported digestive issues like bloating and constipation. Initial users of Live It Up may experience mild digestive changes as their system adjusts to the fiber and probiotics.
Q: Are the ingredients third-party tested? A: Live It Up Super Greens claims to be third-party tested, but the specific lab is not disclosed. This is an improvement over Balance of Nature, which has faced FDA scrutiny in the past.
