Introduction to Greens Powders
Greens powders are dietary supplements designed to provide a concentrated boost of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants typically found in whole, leafy greens and other nutrient-dense vegetables. They have surged in popularity as a convenient way to supplement a diet that may be lacking in fruits and vegetables. Two of the most prominent brands in this space are Live it Up (formerly Enso Superfoods) and AG1 (from Athletic Greens). While both aim to improve daily nutrition and overall health, they have distinct approaches to formulation, ingredients, cost, and target users. This detailed comparison will break down the key differences to help you decide which one aligns best with your health goals.
Live it Up Super Greens: A Closer Look
Live it Up offers a focused, all-natural greens powder with a simpler, yet potent, ingredient list aimed at general wellness. The formula is built around organic vegetables and superfoods, prioritizing a clean, whole-food approach.
Key aspects of Live it Up:
- Ingredient Focus: Features a blend of over 20 organic superfoods, including spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, moringa, and kale. The vitamins and minerals are naturally derived from these whole-food sources rather than being synthetically added, which the company claims makes them more bioavailable.
- Targeted Benefits: Specifically designed to support digestion, immunity, and balanced energy levels. Each scoop contains 5 billion CFUs of dairy-free probiotics and three plant-based digestive enzymes.
- Cost-Effectiveness: At around $1.33 per serving with a subscription, Live it Up is a significantly more affordable option than AG1.
- Taste and Sweeteners: Available in Original (minty) and Wild Berries flavors, sweetened with monk fruit extract instead of stevia, resulting in a generally pleasant taste with no aftertaste.
- Quality: Produced in GMP-certified facilities and third-party tested, though the specific lab is not disclosed.
AG1 (Athletic Greens): A Closer Look
AG1 is a premium, all-in-one nutritional supplement with a highly comprehensive and potent formula. It is marketed as a complete foundational nutrition solution, replacing a multivitamin, probiotics, and more in a single scoop.
Key aspects of AG1:
- Ingredient Focus: Packs in over 75 high-quality ingredients, including superfoods, adaptogens (like ashwagandha and rhodiola), functional mushrooms, probiotics, and digestive enzymes. The formula includes a significant number of added synthetic vitamins and minerals, often in very high doses, to maximize nutritional density.
- Targeted Benefits: Promotes energy, gut health, immune defense, and stress adaptation. It is particularly popular among athletes due to its comprehensive profile.
- Cost-Effectiveness: The most expensive option of the two, costing around $2.63 per serving with a subscription.
- Taste and Sweeteners: It has a distinct flavor with hints of pineapple and vanilla, sweetened with stevia, which some users find too sweet or bitter. It is known to have a somewhat gritty texture.
- Quality: Holds the NSF Certified for Sport® certification, a rigorous third-party testing standard that ensures products are free of banned substances and heavy metals. This certification provides a higher level of transparency compared to Live it Up.
Live it Up vs AG1: A Detailed Comparison Table
| Feature | Live it Up Super Greens | AG1 (Athletic Greens) |
|---|---|---|
| Key Ingredients | 20+ organic superfoods, probiotics, 3 digestive enzymes | 75+ ingredients, including superfoods, probiotics, digestive enzymes, adaptogens, and mushrooms |
| Ingredient Sourcing | Organic vegetables, naturally derived vitamins/minerals | Some organic ingredients, includes synthetic vitamins/minerals |
| Probiotic Count | 5 billion CFU | 10 billion CFU (in Next Gen formula) |
| Cost per Serving | ~$1.33 with subscription | ~$2.63 with subscription |
| Flavor Options | Original (minty), Wild Berries | Original (vanilla/pineapple), Berry, Citrus, Tropical |
| Sweetener | Monk fruit extract | Stevia |
| Certifications | GMP-certified, third-party tested (lab undisclosed) | NSF Certified for Sport® |
| Target Audience | General wellness, budget-conscious users, prefers organic/natural | Athletes, high-performance users, comprehensive nutritional needs |
| Proprietary Blends | Yes, but fewer ingredients and generally transparent about what is in the product | Yes, and ingredient amounts are not disclosed within the blends |
Ingredient Philosophy
The most fundamental difference lies in their ingredient philosophies. Live it Up focuses on providing a concentrated dose of essential organic greens and specific gut-health support via probiotics and enzymes. AG1, conversely, takes a 'more is more' approach, packing an extensive list of ingredients to serve as an all-in-one supplement. This includes adaptogens, which Live it Up does not contain in its Super Greens formula. Live it Up's vitamins are naturally derived from whole foods, whereas AG1 adds a number of synthetic vitamins to reach its high-potency levels.
Cost and Value
Cost is a major differentiator. Live it Up is designed to be a high-quality, but affordable, daily greens powder, costing about half the price of AG1 on a subscription basis. This makes Live it Up more accessible to the average consumer. AG1's higher price reflects its extensive ingredient list and premium positioning, often justified for high-performance athletes or those with significant nutrient gaps.
Taste and User Experience
Live it Up is generally well-regarded for its taste, which many describe as a pleasant, minty flavor in the Original version due to peppermint leaf. AG1's taste is more divisive, with some appreciating the pineapple and vanilla notes, while others find the stevia-sweetened flavor and gritty texture off-putting. For those who prefer a subtler, more natural flavor, Live it Up is often the preferred choice.
Certifications and Quality Control
AG1’s NSF Certified for Sport® certification is a gold standard in supplement testing, assuring competitive athletes that the product is free of banned substances. Live it Up is also third-party tested and made in GMP-certified facilities but does not provide the same level of transparent certification. For the average user, both certifications offer a degree of quality assurance, but AG1's is more robust and publicly verifiable.
Target Audience
The choice often comes down to your health profile and budget. Live it Up is well-suited for the average health-conscious individual who wants a daily nutritional boost, especially for gut health and energy, without unnecessary complexity or a high price tag. AG1 caters to a more specialized audience, such as professional athletes or individuals with significant dietary restrictions, who need maximum nutrient coverage and don't mind the premium cost.
Conclusion: Making the Right Choice
The best greens powder ultimately depends on your individual needs and priorities. If you're looking for an affordable, simple, and organic-focused supplement to cover basic nutritional gaps and improve digestion, Live it Up is likely the better fit. Its cleaner, whole-food approach and pleasant taste make it a great option for those new to greens powders or who are on a budget. However, if you are a high-performance athlete, follow a very restrictive diet, or require the most extensive nutrient profile available, and cost is less of a concern, AG1's robust formula and elite certification may be more suitable. As with any dietary supplement, it is wise to consult with a healthcare professional before incorporating it into your daily regimen. For more information on multivitamins and nutrient absorption, you can refer to authoritative sources such as the National Institutes of Health.
Which Greens Powder is Right For You?
- Go with Live it Up if: You are budget-conscious, prefer naturally sourced ingredients, want a focus on gut health, and appreciate a simpler, palatable flavor.
- Go with AG1 if: You are a serious athlete, need a more extensive nutrient profile, require robust third-party testing (NSF Certified for Sport®), and don't mind a higher price.
