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Even if the name AG1 doesn’t ring a bell, I’m willing to bet you’ve seen its premier product splashed across your Instagram feed or featured on your favorite influencer’s story. Launched in 2010, the brand was in many ways ahead of its time when its first greens powder hit shelves—and has dominated the supplement space ever since.
AG1’s formulation has shifted over the years, but the most significant update yet—AG1 Next Gen—launched this past May. Then, at the beginning of August, came three new flavors, marking the first time the brand has expanded beyond its original pineapple-and-vanilla-tinged offering.
As someone who had never tried AG1 before, I went in completely blind while tasting the new Tropical, Berry, and Citrus powders. Here are my thoughts, along with a registered dietitian’s perspective on all things AG1.
What is AG1?
AG1 describes itself as a “Daily Health Drink.” Made with 83 ingredients, think of it as part greens powder, part gut-health-supporting drink, and part adaptogenic elixir. Meant to be taken daily, it claims to aid with energy, mood, immunity, bloating, and digestion.
What’s new about AG1 Next Gen?
Updated ingredients
AG1 Next Gen is the brand’s latest iteration, with the biggest change being the addition of eight new ingredients, bringing the total to 83 from 75. Guided by third-party research on probiotics and gut health, the formula also features an updated blend with five clinically studied probiotic strains.
The new lineup of vitamins and minerals includes molybdenum, boron, and choline. According to Registered Dietitian and Culinary Nutritionist Kristy Del Coro, MS, RDN, LDN, “molybdenum and boron are trace minerals that are easily found in food and are not commonly deficient in the average population. Choline, however, is an essential nutrient that is not always consumed in adequate amounts; it is essential for the nervous system and metabolism.”
AG1 has also swapped out some existing vitamins and minerals for more bioavailable (i.e., more easily absorbed) forms. This includes an updated slate of B vitamins, which support energy production.
The Next Gen formula has also been tested in four clinical trials, the results of which you can read about here.
New flavors
After launching Next Gen in May, AG1 expanded its offerings with three new flavors in August. The lineup now includes the original plus Tropical, Berry, and Citrus. After trying them all, Tropical was my personal favorite, though I appreciated that each flavor seemed designed to complement AG1’s grassy, earthy undertones rather than mask them. Like the original, all flavors are only lightly sweetened with stevia.
I tried each straight up, mixed with 8–12 ounces of water as instructed, but they’d also make excellent smoothie additions. Try Tropical with pineapple and mango, Berry with blueberries, strawberries, and almond butter, or Citrus with orange juice and banana.
What sets AG1 apart from other greens powders?
Unlike many competitors, AG1 isn’t just a greens powder. Its 83 ingredients go beyond fruits and vegetables to include functional adaptogens like ashwagandha, reishi, and rhodiola (intended to aid stress and vitality), plus prebiotics and probiotics for gut health and vitamins to support daily energy.
Another standout: AG1 is NSF Certified for Sport, meaning it’s undergone rigorous third-party testing to ensure it contains no substances banned by major athletic organizations and no unsafe levels of contaminants such as heavy metals. Del Coro notes that this certification also guarantees the contents match what’s listed on the label—an important distinction in a largely unregulated industry where “there have also been reports of inconsistencies.”
Del Coro also points to AG1’s emphasis on nutrient bioavailability, explaining that “this is an additional step that is not always done.” Bioavailability refers to “how efficiently and effectively the nutrient is absorbed in the body,” she says. “So they don’t just add any form of B12, they use a specific methylated form of B12, which is the best form of B12 for absorption in the body.”
What are some things to keep in mind when deciding if you should try AG1?
Del Coro emphasizes that no supplement, AG1 or otherwise, can or should ever be a replacement for whole foods, “But this can be good to fill any gaps in your diet,” she says.
She also notes the importance of paying attention to nutrient amounts. “It does not include adequate calcium, vitamin D, or omega-3, so keep this in mind if those are three nutrients you feel may be missing from your diet,” she says.
On the flip side, AG1 contains more than the daily recommended value of certain vitamins. “While B vitamins are necessary and beneficial, I do have some skepticism about the increased amount in the new formula,” Del Coro says. One scoop of AG1 provides over 16,000% of the daily value of B12. “Megadoses like this are typically only used when medically necessary. For the average healthy adult, any excess beyond what the body needs will just be flushed out in your urine,” Del Coro says.
Biotin is another example, with each serving containing over 1,000% of the daily value. “This is unlikely to cause harm, but you may be paying for the excess nutrients beyond what your body truly needs,” she says. Biotin is also not difficult to obtain from food (found in eggs, meat, fish, nuts, and certain vegetables). However, excessive supplemental biotin “may interfere with certain blood test results, such as having falsely low thyroid hormone tests.”
On that note, Del Coro also adds that people should be mindful that there are no interactions between AG1’s ingredients and any medications they’re taking. “There are a lot of adaptogens and herbal supplements in AG1, and these can potentially interact with medications or other supplements,” she says.
The takeaway
I’m not going to attempt to speak to whether or not this powder will have a noticeable impact on your life, because everybody is different. But it has a host of powerful ingredients in it that are meant to combat several common issues, from stress or fatigue to bloating, not to mention several key nutrients our bodies need. If anything, incorporating a supplement powder like AG1 into your life may encourage you to habit stack other healthy rituals into your routine, like drinking more water or moving your body in the morning—and that’s certainly something I can get behind.