We all know that eating greens is vital for our all-round health. Experts tell us that we need to eat multiple servings of green veggies every day. I certainly don’t, and I certainly don’t have the time to cook up loads of green veggies every day!
After some online surfing, I discovered a huge range of Green Powder supplements. They all claim to give you the required daily dose of vitamins, essential nutrients, antioxidants, adaptogens, and more.
I looked more closely at two specific products – Primal Greens vs Athletic Greens.
Here is my comparison.
What is Athletic Greens?
Athletic Greens is a superfood green powder that you mix with water and drink. It can also be added into smoothies or mixed into milk, almond milk, or low-fat milk.
The powder offers a comprehensive mix of 75 natural ingredients that target different aspects of your health needs. As well as offering a huge variety of Vitamins and minerals, there are other ingredients in the formula that are divided into four blends that form the complete product.
The company that produces Athletic Greens was founded by Chris Ashenden, also known as Chris ‘the Kiwi’, in 2009. According to the website, Chris struggled for years with gut health issues that prevented his body from absorbing and synthesizing nutrients.
He developed the product with the aim of creating a drink that gives the body an easily-digestible amount of essential nutrients. The formula was aimed at any person wanting to boost their health, from children to sports professionals.
Since its inception, the company has partnered with like-minded groups around the world. One notable collaboration is Fundacion Da Algeria that provides low-income children with healthy meals.
What is Primal Greens?
Primal Greens is also a superfood green powder mix that can be mixed with water, milk, into a smoothie, or even into a hot drink. It also claims to offer all the daily required doses of nutrients, vitamins, minerals, anti-oxidants.
The main ingredients in Primal Greens are made up of a combination of four blends that form the complete product.
Primal Greens is produced by a company called Primal Harvest that started trading in 2018. They are located in Brooklyn, New York. Primal Greens is one of a number of products that they produce. The others are also health-based and offer formulas that include Collagen, Omega-3, and Multivitamin supplements.
The philosophy of the company is to provide ‘supplements over pharmaceuticals’. The products are aimed at healthy-friendly people. Seeing this, I would recommend that people with health issues should get medical advice before taking this supplement.
How are they different?
Both products are green powders that offer a comprehensive range of nutritional ingredients.
At a closer look, there are some differences
Disclosure of ingredients
Athletic Greens contains 75 natural ingredients that are listed on the package.
They give a detailed breakdown of each one with its percentage daily value. The ingredients are divided into 4 blends
- Alkaline, Nutrient-Dense Superfood Complex
- Nutrient Dense Extracts, Herbs and Antioxidants
- Digestive Enzyme & Super Mushroom Complex
- Dairy Free Probiotics
Primal Greens also divide their ingredients into 4 sections. However, the individual quantities of each ingredient is not specified.
The 4 blends on the Primal Package are
- Superfood, Antioxidant and Mushroom Blend
- Nutrient Dense Natural Herbs and Extracts
- Digestive Complex
- Probiotic Blend
Vitamins
Comparing the two products, Athletic Greens certainly offers a far more comprehensive range of Vitamins and nutrients. It has over 75 ingredients and offers meaningful DV amounts of Riboflavin, Niacin, Folate, Calcium, Magnesium, and Phosphorus. These ingredients may exist in Primal Greens but are not listed on their Supplement Facts Page.
Vitamin C is vital to boost your immune system and help to ward off disease. Athletic Greens offers a whopping 700%, while Primal Greens offers 122%, which is also great, but not nearly as much.
Vitamin E is a nutrient used by the body to support the immune system and help to regenerate healthy cells. It also offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (1). Athletic Greens provides 334% Vitamin E, compared to Primal Greens at only 45%.
Vitamin B12 helps to keep the body’s blood and nerve cells healthy. It also helps in the formation of DNA (2). In this case, Primal Greens comes out on top with a huge amount at 1042%. Athletic Greens offers 367%.
Protein
Although these powders do not claim to be high in protein, they both do offer a small DV%. Primal Greens has a lower amount at 2.8g per serving which is a DV of 6%. Athletic Greens offers 2g per serving which is less, at 4%.
Probiotic Blend
Probiotics are good, live bacteria that ensure that your gut is balanced and healthy. This leads to a well-functioning digestive system and may even reduce common disorders like diarrhoea, constipation, and Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Probiotics also help in other areas of the body and may reduce gum disease and urinary tract infections (3).
Both products contain probiotics. Primal Greens has an amount of 3.5 Billion CFU. Athletic Greens offers a far larger amount at 7.2 Billion CFU, which is more than double.
Taste
Both products claim to contain a small amount of Stevia. Stevia is a natural sweetener that is about 200 times sweeter than sugar.
After reading what users had to say, it would appear Primal Greens probably contains more Stevia. It has a distinct sweeter taste, which is not unpleasant. On the other hand, Athletic Greens has a very unique taste of vanilla, pineapple, ginger, and carrot. The overall taste is a bit earthy but it is not bitter.
Marketing strategy
One of the first things I look for are videos from people who use or endorse the product. Athletic Greens certainly comes out tops in this area. There are many very comprehensive videos from users giving both pros and cons.
Primal Greens is rather short of reviews from industry experts. The reviews are on their website only, which are all 5-star. This may be real, but one would usually find a user somewhere who doesn’t enjoy the product.
Overall, it appears that Athletic Greens is more transparent about their product.
How are they similar?
Here are the main points of similarity between the products.
Benefits of daily use
Both products claim to be a green superfood offering a good combination of required daily nutrients and vitamins. They both claim to
- Give a natural energy boost
- Support gut health via probiotics
- Support liver function
- Help with a natural detox process
- Support blood sugar levels that are within a normal range
- Support hormone function
Sugar content
Both products have a low sugar content of under 1g. This is great for people who are following a diet and want to limit their sugar intake when using energy and health drinks.
Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free
Athletic Greens and Primal Greens claim to be suitable for a vegan diet. Athletic Greens specifically states that it is also suitable for Paleo and Keto diets.
Both websites claim that the products are non-dairy and gluten-free. The products are also free of herbicides, pesticides, harmful chemicals, and animal products. Both products are low in allergens.
Bioavailability of ingredients
Bioavailability is the amount of the nutrient that is digested, absorbed and metabolized through the system normally. Adding ingredients to a health drink is fine, but if they do not have full bioavailability, the overall effectiveness will be reduced.
Both these products claim to have a very high level of bioavailability in the formula. The micro ingredients attach to toxic minerals which aids your body to remove them, making these products powerful detoxifiers.
Full bioavailability means that the user will get the maximum benefit possible from the ingredients in the drink formula.
Shiitake mushroom formula
Shiitake mushrooms are not usually found in off-the-shelf powders and health mixes. These mushrooms are native to East Asia and have been used for many hundreds of years in medicinal cures.
Both powders offer a mushroom-blend that includes Shiitake mushrooms. They also both contain Reishi mushrooms. The component of mushroom in Athletic Greens is fairly low at 154mg, while Primal Greens is higher at 4.9g.
Mushrooms are also considered to be adaptogens. Adaptogens help the body to manage stress and may also help with anxiety, fatigue and loss of concentration.
GMP certified facilities
GMP, Good Manufacturing Practices, facilities are independently verified and certified. Both companies are GMP certified. Athletic Greens claims that they audit and review every supplier of their raw ingredients.
Here are some key comparison points
| Athletic Greens | Primal Greens | |
| Sugar content | Less than 1g | Less than 1g |
| Protein | 2g | 1.4g |
| Vitamin C | 420mg | 110mg |
| Vitamin A | 1850IU | 0 |
| Vitamin B12 | 22mcg | 25mcg |
| Carbohydrates | 6g | 5.8g |
| Vegan | Yes | Yes |
| Animal Products | No | No |
| NSF Approved | Yes | No |
| GMP Certified | Yes | Yes |
| Serving Size | 12g | 8g |
What’s better about Athletic Greens?
Overall, Athletic Greens offers a far more comprehensive range of ingredients for everyday health. I would prefer to use a drink that has added benefit over one that has a lower benefit.
I also enjoy the more open transparency of Athletic Greens. There are videos, reviews and genuine customer feedback.
Athletic Greens is NSF Certified. If you are a sports person, you can use this drink without any worries. NSF testing includes strict analytical and microbiological testing on each of the 75 ingredients in the formula. It also has rigorous standards of transparency of manufacturers and suppliers.
This product is also aimed at sportspeople. It has approval from both professional athletes and Olympians.
This company shows care and concern about the environment. They are aware of their carbon footprint and go to great lengths to support deforestation.
What’s better about Primal Greens?
Primal Greens has a better taste. It tastes more like a refreshing green tea, rather than an earthy health powder. That being said, most people do not appear to have a problem with the taste of Athletic Greens, and certainly didn’t have to force it down.
I was impressed by the care that Primal Greens has taken on their packaging. They promote an eco-friendly gusset bag made with 80% less plastic material. Any step towards saving the planet gets a thumbs-up from me.
Who should get Athletic Greens?
Athletic Greens is suitable for people of any age and any level of fitness. It makes a great drink to use for a boost of natural energy before or after a workout, a run or a cycle ride.
Students can use it before setting down to study. Unlike a protein shake that can make you feel heavy and bloated, this drink is light and refreshing.
People who have a vitamin deficiency will benefit from this comprehensive formula that includes Vitamins A, C, B12, and B12.
Because Athletic Greens is NSF Certified, sportspeople can use this drink with no concerns. It has been approved by professionals and Olympians.
Powder-based formulas are ideal for people who don’t enjoy taking pills.
Who should get Primal Greens?
Primal Greens is also suitable for most people. I do see that the website states ‘healthy-friendly’ people. This could be an indication that people with health issues should first consult with their medical expert before taking this supplement.
Primal Harvest advises that it is best taken in the morning, on an empty stomach, or with a light meal. This may not suit people who are on-the-go early in the morning and prefer to take their drink later in the day.
As with any supplement, for best results, combine with a lifestyle that includes drinking loads of water, lots of exercise, and eating balanced meals.
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