While the research on the benefits of oral collagen supplements is mixed, there is some evidence to suggest that collagen peptides may improve skin elasticity. Regardless, collagen can be a good source of protein—this powder contains 14 grams and can be used as a protein powder in your morning smoothie. Vital Proteins also contains hyaluronic acid, which might help improve skin elasticity and reduce wrinkles. While the research on this is limited, one randomized control trial did show that oral hyaluronic acid can lessen wrinkle formation and improve skin. In addition to the algae—spirulina, and chlorella—KOS keeps it simple with wheat grass, cabbage, kale, broccoli, apple, and green bell pepper powders. Keep in mind that this powder does contain a digestive prebiotic blend, and while it contributes to the fiber content, it may not be suitable for those who have a digestive illness. Flavors: Many greens powders are unflavored, though some have flavor options. To determine which option is right for you, consider how you plan on consuming your powder. For example, if you plan to drink it with just water, you may want to opt for a flavored product. People with end-stage kidney disease: "Depending on the product, a serving may contain 140 to 350 milligrams of potassium. Individuals with end-stage kidney disease may not be able to tolerate large amounts of potassium as the kidneys have a hard time removing excess potassium from their blood. A build-up of potassium, called hyperkalemia, may cause issues like dizziness, nausea, numbness, and a slow heart rate," says Akhaphong. As with many greens powders, this contains a few proprietary blends, making it difficult to know whether you’re consuming an effective dose or if the dose could be an issue for some individuals. What’s more, this product contains over 100 ingredients, which far surpasses others on our list, so be diligent in reading the label thoroughly.

Migita D’Cruz & Chittaranjan Andrade (2022) Potential clinical applications of Ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera) in medicine and neuropsychiatry, Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology,15:9,1067-1080, doi:10.1080/17512433.2022.2121699

More Vegan Salads

Rao V, Balachandran B, Shen H, Logan A, Rao L. In vitro and in vivo antioxidant properties of the plant-based supplement greens+. I nternational Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2011;12(8):4896-4908. doi:10.3390/ijms12084896 There is no standard dosage for greens powders, and ingredient and nutrient amounts vary significantly. It's important to review the Recommended Dietary Allowance and Tolerable Upper Limits as set by the NIH for each ingredient to make sure you are consuming safe levels of each nutrient. Healthline’s dietitians looked at more than 18 popular greens powders on the market. Seven products ultimately passed both our dietitians’ review and our internal vetting process, and we chose five that stood out.

Vegetables: The greens powders on our list contain leafy greens like spinach and kale as well as other vegetables including carrot, broccoli, beetroot, asparagus and more. The vegetables contained in greens powders are sources of nutrients including vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, iron, fiber and potassium. Dr. Mercola's fermented greens powder is sweetened with the no-calorie natural sweeteners monk fruit and stevia, which can help cut some of the grassy or bitter flavors of the powder without the added sugar. However, these ingredients have distinct flavors which you may or may not enjoy. These ingredients are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, but not much is known about their effects on human health yet.

There are an overwhelming amount of greens powders available on the market today, so here are a few tips to keep in mind. Some greens powders claim to boost your energy. Yet, they’re generally low in calories and, therefore, don’t necessarily supply much energy. Contains prebiotics, probiotics, rosehip, and digestive enzymes, which may not be best for everyone Professional and collegiate athletes: While greens powders can be a helpful way to add nutrients to an athlete's diet, some supplements may contain ingredients that are banned for sport. "Not all greens powders are third-party tested, so it is especially important for athletes that may be drug tested to avoid using greens powders without proper third-party testing," says Osburn. Look for one that is NSF Certified for Sport, one of the most rigorous third-party testing certifications.