Is 8Greens Review Worth It? (2024) An RD and Two Nutrition Coaches’ Insight

Imagine getting your micronutrients in a cup without the powerfully grassy flavor — with even a hint of lemon and lime. 8Green’s Super Greens Powder allows you to do just that. Like the best greens powders out there, 8Greens Super Greens Powder offers a ton of nutrients, but with a taste our team ranks at an impressive 5 out of 5.

What else sets 8Greens apart? And what does it taste like? We’ve done all the testing and research for you. Here at BarBend, we have a team of personal trainers, nutrition coaches, competitive athletes, and fitness enthusiasts who have tested over 40 greens powders using our supplement testing methodology. For this 8Greens review, I’ve drawn on my years of experience as a certified nutrition coaches, checked in with our team of expert testers, and consulted a registered dietitian about the formula. Here’s what we found.

Editor’s note: The content on BarBend is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The opinions and articles on this site are not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always a good idea to talk to your doctor before beginning a new fitness, nutritional, and/or supplement routine. Individual needs for vitamins and minerals will vary.

8Greens Greens Powder

8Greens Greens Powder

8Greens Greens Powder contains eight real greens — spinach, kale, aloe vera, wheatgrass, blue green algae, barley grass, chlorella, and spirulina. Its formula can also boost immunity, gut health, and metabolism.

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Main Takeaways

Packed with Greens: 8Greens contains a proprietary blend of eight different greens, allowing you to fill your daily dose of veggies in one drink.

Prebiotics and Probiotics: 8Greens Super Greens Powder contains a proprietary blend of pre- and probiotic blend to potentially improve gut health.

Relatively Affordable Supplement: 8Greens is a pretty affordable way to get your greens. A jar of 25 servings goes for $35 or $1.75 per serving — and with a subscription, it’s even less. 

8Greens Specs

8Greens Super Greens Powder is loaded with a propriety blend of eight real greens, vitamins, and essential nutrients intended to support various aspects of your health. The greens blend includes (all listed as organic, though the jar doesn’t have a USDA-certified label) spinach, kale, aloe vera, wheatgrass, blue-green algae, barley grass, chlorella, and spirulina.

8Greens Super Greens Powder with cup and packet.

Former model, now health entrepreneur, Dawn Russell conceptualized this product after being diagnosed with stage three lymphatic cancer at the age of 25. After chemo, she tried everything to feel better, and the one thing that she noticed made the most difference was getting her daily dose of greens. This journey inspired her to create what 8Greens is today. 

Each serving — you’ll get 25 per jar — is chock full of vitamins. It claims to provide as much vitamin B6 as 38 cups of spinach, as much vitamin C as six oranges, as much zinc as 27 cups of beet greens, and as much vitamin B5 as 10 cups of broccoli. 

Still, you may well opt for a drinkable version of your greens — maybe it’s a busy work or travel week filled with more fast food than fruits and veggies. Indeed, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 10% of Americans consume enough fruits and vegetables daily. (1)

[Related: Best Fruit and Vegetable Supplements]

But can a drink with all those greens and vitamins packed into it taste good? Our expert tester, who tried out 8Greens daily for a week, gives a definitive yes, giving it a 5 out of 5 for taste. Let’s dive into the nitty gritty of this powder.

Pros

Pros

Contains eight different green veggies

Contains prebiotics and probiotics

Great for an on-the-go lifestyle

Vegan, gluten-free, non-GMO 

No animal testing
Cons

Not third-party testing or FDA-approved

Features three proprietary blends

Contains stevia leaf extract, maltodextrin, and sorbitol (may be a pro for some users taste-wise)

Who Should Use / Who Shouldn’t Use 8Greens

Everyone’s needs are different and, here at BarBend, we acknowledge that not every supplement is perfect for every individual. This is why we’ve made a list of who would benefit from taking 8Greens and who might not. 

Recommended for:

People with a busy lifestyle 

People who need assistance getting their daily dose of greens

People who want more than one flavor to choose from

Not Recommended for:

People who want a supplement that is third-party tested

People who already get their dose of veggies with a nutrient-dense, whole-food diet 

People who want a supplement that doesn’t have proprietary blends

Our Experience Using 8Greens

Our expert tester, who has a lot of experience testing greens powders, had an overall great review of their experience with 8Greens.

Our tester holds a scoop of 8Greens Super Greens Powder.

Since it has only 15 calories, it’s by no means a meal replacement, another one of our testers who tried the 8greens effervescent tablets version of the product concludes, “It’s a nice afternoon pick-me-up.” That said, the ingredients just aren’t transparent enough for registered dietitian and BarBend expert reviewer Chelsea Rae Bourgeois. “Unfortunately, 8Greens is made up of three proprietary blends, further adding to the mystery behind this greens powder,” she says. “With such limited research available in support of greens powders versus just eating a balanced diet, not knowing how much of each ingredient is in the product is a huge turn-off.”

Ingredients and Formulation

The main ingredients in 8Greens Super Greens Powder are all proprietary blends: one for greens, one for pre- and probiotics, and one for fiber. Because they use these blends, 8Greens does not disclose how much of each ingredient is in each serving. I agree with Bourgeois about proprietary blends: as a certified nutrition coach, this powder loses credibility with me in that regard, as proprietary blends obscure ingredient amounts. (2)

Supplement Facts label on a container of 8Greens Super Greens Powder.

But according to the supplement facts label, you’re getting a whole lot of vitamin C in each serving. “Vitamin C is essential to overall health, playing a key role in immunity,” Bourgeois explains. “You get 278% of the daily value for vitamin C in one serving of 8Greens.”

Overall, Bourgeois rates the formulation of 8Greens Super Greens Powder a 2.5 out of 5. “While 8Greens contains an array of likely beneficial ingredients, they are masked behind proprietary blends,” she explains. “The pre- and probiotic blend may support gut health, but there are many gut health supplements available with research-backed doses and clarity.”

[Related: Best Probiotic Supplements]

Taste

Greens powders aren’t exactly known for their delightful taste. They’re often quite green in taste. But according to our tester, 8Greens isn’t terribly grassy.

Our tester drinks 8Greens Super Greens Powder

“Compared to the three or four other greens powders I’ve used, this tasted much less earthy. I actually enjoy the lemon flavor, which is something I never thought I would say about a greens powder.” That said, if you’re not a sour-citrus person, you might want to be aware that the flavor may be a bit powerful for you. Our tester enjoyed the experience, but it is something to be conscious of. “The Lemon Lime flavor was maybe a touch too strong, but I liked it.”

Still, at the end of their week testing it daily, the taste scores a 5 out of 5 from our tester.

Solubility

Our tester doesn’t have major complaints about the solubility of 8Greens, either. 

Our tester dumps 8Greens Super Greens Powder into a cup of water.

“It mixed beautifully with water. There was a slight texture when I drank it, but no clumps.” That said, it wasn’t a completely mixed job. “A small amount stuck to the sides of my shaker cup.”

Our tester reports that there’s no need to chug this drink right away, but they do recommend giving it a quick swirl before drinking if it’s been sitting out. “I let it sit for about two minutes after shaking it and a small amount settled in the bottom. I would just recommend shaking or stirring real quick if you set it down for a bit.” It’ll mix right back up, though, so you won’t have to fully blend again.

Fresh-mixed 8Greens Super Greens Powder in a shaker cup.

Overall, our tester gives this one a 4.5 out of 5 for solubility.

Price Per Serving

If you’re on a budget, 8Greens is a great option. It’s $1.75 per serving. On a subscription, it’s even better at $1.19 per serving. Many competitors are more expensive than 8Greens, so you’re looking at a good bang for your buck.

Third-Party Testing

Another downside to 8Greens is that they do not conduct third-party testing, and the product is not FDA-approved (supplements are not required to be). This is especially important because their blends of greens, pre- and probiotics, and fiber are all proprietary, meaning they don’t list the exact doses of each ingredient — so it’s impossible to tell what you’re getting. 

Looking down into a freshly mixed cup and container of 8Greens Super Greens Powder.

Research on the benefits of greens powders and juices is lacking, so this makes third-party testing even more important for weeding out the ones that make false claims. The company does enlist the support of former FDA expert and nutrition scientist, Dr. Paula Trumbo, which gives it a touch more credibility — but I wish they had some third-party testing. 

What to Consider Before Buying 8Greens

When evaluating 8Greens Super Greens Powder, we considered several factors to provide a thorough review. Our team tested over 40 different greens supplements, including powders and greens tablets, examining their formulas and ingredients as well as our experience using each product and how they fit into our daily routines. There are a few things to think about when deciding if this powder is the right choice for you. 

A close look at a scoop of 8Greens Super Greens Powder.

Check All the Ingredients: This powder has eight different veggies, as well as a pre- and probiotic blend and a fiber blend. But, they are all proprietary, which means you don’t know how much you’re getting.

Third-Party Testing: 8Greens is not third-party tested, which may be a red flag for competitive athletes who need to be sure there are no banned substances in their supps.

Your Current Diet: If you aren’t getting enough leafy greens in your diet or nutrients from other supplements, then you may benefit from this powder. 

Talk to Your Doctor: Especially if you have health conditions like diabetes or kidney disease or are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk with your doctor before taking 8Greens (or any supplement).

8Greens Vs. Competitors

There are a lot of green drinks out there, but it can be hard to tell what makes each stand out at first glance. To make it easier, we’ve lined a couple up side by side to show you how they stack up against each other. 

Directions on a container of 8Greens Super Greens Powder.

We chose Athletic Greens because it’s one of the most popular greens powder on the market right now. Although AG1 costs a lot more, you arguably get more value from their greens powder. AG1 is packed with prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes, super mushrooms, superfoods, herbs, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals — and they’re third-party tested.

We also compared 8Greens with Transparent Labs Prebiotic Greens, another greens powder that’s priced slightly higher than 8Greens. But Transparent Labs is third-party tested and has no proprietary blends.

Read our full Athletic Greens review.

Places to Buy 8Greens

Directly from their website

Amazon

Whole Foods

Walgreens 

Target 

Vitamin Shoppe 

Customer Experience and Brand Reputation

If you buy directly from the 8Greens website, you can return the product within 30 days if you try them and decide you don’t like them. 8Greens offers standard shipping rates and provides free shipping after you spend $50 or more. They also offer a 20% off code when purchasing for the first time, a rewards program each time you order, and a referral discount that you can take advantage of directly from the 8Greens website.

An opened tub of 8Greens Super Greens Powder.

8Greens has a 4.4 out of 5 customer review rating on Amazon out of 6,144 global ratings. The few negative reviews mention that users don’t like the taste. Most of the reviews are positive, citing a boost in energy levels, immune support, and a general improvement in overall health. 

Our Final Verdict on 8Greens

8Greens is a decently priced effervescent green drink. It features a wide variety of greens aimed at rounding out a healthy diet, boosting your immune system, and aiding in digestion and gut health.

It’s by no means a miracle solution to your health goals, nor is it the most transparent about its ingredients. But if you’re on the go and struggling to get your daily dose of veggies in, 8Greens Super Greens Powder can be a great option to grab. 

FAQs

What does 8Greens do to your body?

There are many health benefits to taking 8Greens. It can help increase your energy levels, support your immune system, aid in digestion and gut health, boost your metabolism, decrease bloating, and, in some cases, help with weight loss. You could experience side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, gas, or nausea when using 8Greens Super Greens, as with other greens powders.

Does 8Greens contain stevia?

Yes, 8Greens contains stevia leaf extract, natural flavors, and citric acid.

How much does 8Greens cost?

8Greens has options: a 1-pack for $35 ($29.75 with a subscription); 2-pack for $66 ($56.10 with a subscription); and a 3-pack for $100 ($85 with a subscription). They also have a rewards program and a referral discount.

How many bottles of 8Greens do I need to take to see results?

Green drinks are not miracle workers, and they don’t have proven “results” as such. They won’t turn your life around drastically by taking them. It would be better to see results and reach your goals through eating a well-balanced diet and having a solid workout routine. Take one whenever you notice you need more veggies for the day.

References

Lee SH, Moore LV, Park S, Harris DM, Blanck HM. Adults Meeting Fruit and Vegetable Intake Recommendations — United States, 2019. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep 2022;71:1–9. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7101a1

Saldanha, L. G., Dwyer, J. T., Hardy, C. J., & MacKay, D. J. (2023). Perspectives on the Use of Proprietary Blends in Dietary Supplements. The Journal of nutrition, 153(5), 1305–1308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tjnut.2023.03.035

Hofman, D. L., van Buul, V. J., & Brouns, F. J. (2016). Nutrition, Health, and Regulatory Aspects of Digestible Maltodextrins. Critical reviews in food science and nutrition, 56(12), 2091–2100. https://doi.org/10.1080/10408398.2014.940415 

The post Is 8Greens Review Worth It? (2024) An RD and Two Nutrition Coaches’ Insight appeared first on BarBend.

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