Social Media Wellness Craze: Green Supplement Powders

by Clare Magargal

If you were to pick up your phone and tap on TikTok, you would likely see a promoted video for a green powdery substance that claims to “meet your daily scoop of gut health goodness.” Bloom Nutrition is a popular greens and superfood brand that was established in 2019. A tub of Bloom Greens and Superfoods with 30 servings is $39.99. It has become very popular in the influencer universe with 303.6K hashtag posts on TikTok, rising every day. 

There are many different green powders on the market, it isn't just Bloom, that tries to convince consumers to purchase their product if they suffer from bloating, poor digestion, and lack of energy. Athletic Green's number one product is AG1, a $79 bag of green supplement powder with only 30 servings. Alani Nu, a brand that became popular on social media for its low-calorie and vibrant energy drinks, also has a greens powder. Alani Nu Super Greens is $49.99 for 30 servings. 

Needless to say, this trend and lifestyle is an expensive one with questionable results. 

This product may seem great on the label, but replacing your much-needed vitamins with powdered fruits, vegetables, and other nutrients, is not advised and is a waste of money. 

According to a report released in 2022 from Industry Research, “The global Green Powder market was valued at $255 million in 2020 and is expected to reach $597.4 million by the end of 2027.” TikTok has exploded with gut health tips and tricks which has only contributed to the rise in green powder market value. 

Beauty gurus and uncertified wellness content creators can reach a large audience to promote products that they say improve their health and that everyone should try these techniques. What a lot of people don’t realize is that for every like, share, and view, these influences are receiving money from the brand they are promoting. And get this, literally, anyone who has a social media platform is capable of spreading false and unhealthy information on the internet, they don’t need the degree, they just want the dollars.

Why use green powders? 

Crystal Scott, a certified registered dietitian at Top Nutrition Coaching, shares with Health that green powders are not for everyone, but they can be suitable for those who struggling with eating enough fruits and veggies or have dietary restrictions. Bloom greens and superfoods specifically are gluten-free, dairy-free, and plant-based, making it convenient for many people. You’re able to mix it with water, juice, a smoothie, or your favorite sports drink. 

It’s hard to imagine, but in a small bottle of green powder supplement, there can be about 25 to 40 dehydrated fruits and vegetables. Some of these include kale, spinach, barley, blueberries, carrots, beets, and raspberries. 

Also included in these green powders are prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes, fiber, antioxidants, and adaptogens. 

While some studies show that ingredients have short-term benefits of increasing the growth of helpful bacteria in the gut, ultimately reducing inflammation, Scott explains that the studies conducted do not have large enough participants to claim that there are long-term benefits confidently. 

So what’s the problem? 

Before I go into critiquing this practice, I want to preface that everyone and everybody is different. We all react differently to different things making it unfair for me to tell you what you should and should not do. 

With that being said, the people who are consuming these green powders, are using it as a quick way to replace eating their fruits and vegetables. There are important things that green powders lack compared to fruits and vegetables. When the ingredients are freeze-dried and blended together, they lose all their water content. The water that you intake while eating fruits and vegetables is essential in keeping your body hydrated and energized throughout the day. 

Another essential component in traditional fruits and vegetables that is not an element of green supplement powder is fiber. In one serving of popular green powder supplements, there is less than 3 grams of fiber. According to the National Library of Medicine, the daily recommended adequate fiber intake for adults is 25 to 30 grams. This shows that green powder is a poor replacement for your fiber needs regarding fruits and vegetables. 

Going back to the idea that anyone with a social media following is able to claim that these green supplement powders have improved their health and make false and unhealthy statements because the FDA does not regulate these products. That is why studying the ingredients list is so important. Some brands sneak into their supplements added sugars and artificial flavors to improve taste.  

Cost is also something to factor in when thinking about green powder supplements. The average price for daily use of these supplements is $1.50 to $3.50 depending on the brand. Over the course of a year that number spikes to $547.50 to $1,277.50 for a drink that doesn’t even fill you up the way whole fruits and vegetables do. 

Whole fruits and vegetables might not be the trendy new thing on social media and are not as aesthetically pleasing as drinking a beverage the color of freshly mowed grass, but they are reliable and can be served many different ways. 

Ways to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet without green supplements 

The American Heart Association recommends that you eat at least 4 ½ cups of fruits and vegetables each day. Some might find that difficult, but there are many ways to incorporate them into your diet. 

1. At the beginning of the week, prep fresh fruits and veggies in reusable containers to store in the fridge for easy access (make sure you rinse before storing!). Enjoying preprepared fruits and veggies is way more enjoyable when you can just open the fridge and pop them out whenever you’re feeling snacky. 

2. If you don't have time at the beginning of the week to prep food for the fridge, always keep canned fruits and veggies on hand in the pantry or frozen in the freezer. 

3. Smoothies are a very easy and refreshing way to up your fruit and veggie count for the day. You can use fresh or frozen, whatever you prefer. This is also a good sneaky way to incorporate some greens, without the taste. Spinach and kale mix well in smoothies and make your drink a beautiful green color! 

4. For meals, fill half your plate with fruits and veggies. Roasted vegetables with a little bit of seasoning is an easy and delicious way. Having a salad with dinner is also a preferred method by many. Salads are great because there are so many options for ingredients, it’s hard to not find a salad of your liking. 

5. Last but not least, when it comes to dessert, we know you want to reach for the cake you made while you were stress-baking the other day, and no carrot cake is not a vegetable. Fruit is just as sweet (and tastes even better) than baked goods. Make a fruit bowl with strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries, and sit back and relax while you enjoy a sweet and tasty treat.