Beyond Greens Review: Affordable, But Better Options Available

What Beyond Greens Gets Right

• It contains clinically studied ingredients.
• The company lists the amount of each ingredient on the label.
• It’s third-party tested for ingredient quality and purity.
• Priced significantly lower than most alternatives.
• No reported adverse side effects.
• The brand offers a 365-day money-back guarantee.

Important Considerations

• It does not contain a good variety of greens.
• It does not offer a comprehensive blend of vitamins and minerals compared to alternatives.
• The ingredients in a single serving of the product are in smaller amounts than used in studies, thus making it difficult to quantify any health benefits you may experience.

Beyond Greens at a Glance

Beyond Greens is a greens powder supplement designed to support immune health, energy, and digestion.

It aims to achieve this by focusing on promoting a healthy gut. Proper gut health is critical, as it plays a role in many essential functions of the body. (1)

However, getting all the nutrients you need to support your gut health can be challenging, even with the best-planned diet. Beyond Greens aims to bridge this gap by offering a convenient way to add several beneficial and antioxidant-rich ingredients to your daily diet.

Beyond Greens is manufactured by Live Conscious and is non-GMO and free of gluten, dairy, soy, and shellfish. It is keto-friendly and vegan, and free of preservatives and artificial sweeteners. It contains stevia, a calorie-free natural sweetener.

Our Test: Prepping and Tasting Beyond Greens

To make a single serving of Beyond Greens, mix one heaping scoop (3.8 g) with 8–12 fl oz of liquid (hot or cold) — continuously stirring to avoid clumping.

Out of the jar, Beyond Greens has an earthly, herbal smell. We followed the instructions and had no problem dissolving the powder in water. However, the texture was pretty grainy, which was not to our liking. We then used a shaker to mix the powder, producing a smoother, palatable texture.

We tried Beyond Greens in three different ways — room temperature water, cold water, and green tea.

When mixed with water, it has a pronounced herbal taste with a slight hint of mushrooms. It also tastes fairly sweet. We preferred the cold mix over room-temperature water, which made the drink taste more refreshing and palatable.

Mixing it with tea was our least favorite, as it changed our delicious green into a sweet herbal/chamomile mixture.

Overall, the taste of Beyond Greens is "OK" and not prohibitive of daily use (unlike some other brands). If you need help masking the taste, we found that mixing it with cold water or adding it to a smoothie will give you the best results.

Pricing: Its Key Advantage

On the brand’s website, Beyond Greens is priced as follows:

Shipping is free with any subscription or any one-time bulk purchase. Otherwise, it is $5.95. Live Conscious also offers a generous 365-day, 100% money-back guarantee on all its products.

As we mentioned earlier, Beyond Greens is one of the most budget-friendly greens powders on the market. And even though it is not as comprehensive as other brands, it uses beneficial, research-backed ingredients and offers a good amount of value for its price.

Try Beyond Greens

The Research Behind Beyond Greens’ Ingredients

Beyond Greens contains a good amount of ingredients — 14 in total. It has no complexes or proprietary blends, so each ingredient dose is evident on the label. However, most, but not all, of the ingredients in this supplement are in smaller amounts than what was deemed effective in the studies we referred to. Therefore, it is best taken alongside a balanced diet.

These ingredients may support various aspects of health, such as energy, mood, gut health, immunity, and detoxification. Below we will explain each of the ingredients and the research behind them.

Rhodiola Root

Rhodiola root is a traditional herb from Russia and Asia known as an adaptogen. Adaptogens are ingredients intended to help the body better handle stress.

Some studies have shown that rhodiola may help reduce stress, increase energy, and enhance focus. (2)

Rhodiola may also enhance exercise performance. Specifically, studies have shown that those taking rhodiola had a reduced perceived exercise exertion, meaning the participants felt they didn’t have to work as hard to perform the exercise. However, studies also show that rhodiola root did not affect exercise performance. (3, 4)

The typical dose that showed benefit in studies varied between 50–400 mg daily, while Beyond Greens contains 50 mg.

Matcha Leaf

The matcha leaf, made from green tea leaves, is ground into a concentrated antioxidant-rich powder. Because it is concentrated, it also contains more caffeine than traditional green tea. This means it may not be appropriate for those who are caffeine-sensitive.

Matcha is particularly high in antioxidants called catechins, which are responsible for many potential health benefits of the tea, such as enhancing focus and memory, weight loss, and supporting immunity. (5)

It also contains L-theanine, which has been shown to promote alertness and help avoid energy crashes commonly occurring when ingesting caffeine. (6)

At least 1,000 mg of matcha was shown to produce any benefit, according to most studies. In comparison, Beyond Greens contains only 200 mg. (7)

Reishi Mushroom

Reishi mushrooms are commonly-used adaptogens that are rich in antioxidants. They are known for combating inflammation and supporting the immune system. Reishi mushrooms specifically contain beta-glucans, a type of fiber found to stimulate the immune system. (8, 9)

A 2018 clinical study found that administering beta-glucans from reishi mushroom increased the presence of immune system cells in the blood without adverse side effects. (10)

Limited clinical trials on reishi mushrooms make it difficult to determine a recommended dose. However, some studies show a range of 1.5–9 grams to be beneficial, making the 25 mg present in Beyond Greens unlikely to positively affect the immune system. (11)

Cordyceps Mushroom

Cordyceps is also a mushroom commonly found in Asia and other parts of the world. It is a genus of parasitic fungi that grows on the larvae of insects.

While this doesn’t sound particularly appealing, cordyceps mushrooms have several health benefits, including increased energy, improved exercise performance, reduced fatigue, and immune system support. (12, 13, 14)

Beyond Greens contains 25 mg of cordyceps. While some clinical studies have seen benefits in a 4–4.5 grams dosage, there is not enough evidence to support a recommended daily dose. (15, 16)

Turkey Tail Mushroom

Turkey tail mushrooms (named because of their signature turkey tail appearance) are grown worldwide and contain immune-boosting and antioxidant properties.

They contain compounds called flavonoids and prebiotics, which, according to studies, have been seen to protect the immune system and may help have a more significant amount of healthy bacteria in your gut. However, these studies used higher amounts of turkey tail than the amount present in Beyond Greens (25 mg). (17, 18, 19)

Lion’s Mane Mushroom

Lion’s mane mushroom is native to Asia and is said to support brain function and memory, aid in digestion, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity.

A few studies support the role lion’s mane mushrooms have on immunity and reducing inflammation. However, most are animal studies. (20)

Another small study involving patients with colitis saw improved digestive symptoms in those taking lion’s mane. However, other studies show no benefit. (21)

Chlorella

Chlorella is a type of algae rich in omega-3 fats, zinc, and vitamin A. It is considered a superfood and is said to protect the liver, detoxify the body, and enhance immunity.

Studies have also shown chlorella to effectively help remove heavy metals from the body that could be harmful in excessive amounts. While there is no standard recommendation for daily chlorella intake, research has found benefits in using 320 mg of chlorella daily. Beyond Greens contains 500 mg of chlorella. (22, 23)

Echinacea Purpurea

Echinacea is a medicinal plant known for its antioxidant properties, decreasing inflammation, and supporting a healthy immune system. Additionally, echinacea contains prebiotics called fructans, which act as antioxidants, aid in gut health, and support the immune system. Prebiotics are health-promoting fibers that can support gut health. (24, 25)

Clinical research has found oral doses of 800–1500 mg of echinacea per day beneficial for the immune system. Beyond Greens provides 900 mg of Echinacea per serving, an excellent quantity for a healthy individual looking to support their immune system.

Milk Thistle Seed

Milk thistle seed is a common herbal remedy extract from a prickly plant.

Silybum marianum, the main active compound in milk thistle, contains antioxidant, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties, especially for protecting the liver. (26)

Some studies show the benefits of taking milk thistle on the liver, especially in those with liver disease. However, some results have been mixed. (27)

There are no established doses for milk thistle, but the studies showed results based on 140 mg daily, and Beyond Greens contains 200 mg.

LactoSpore (Bacillus Coagulans)

LactoSpore is a patented probiotic made by a company called Sabinsa, claimed to be one of the most well-absorbed strains. It contains the beneficial bacteria Bacillus coagulans, which is said to support immune and digestive health.

B. coagulans is a highly studied probiotic clinically shown to survive the stomach’s acidic environment to reach the intestine. Once B. coagulans becomes active in the small intestine, it helps improve beneficial bacteria, resulting in better digestion, less abdominal pain, and bloat. (28)

The recommended daily dose of CFUs depends on an individual’s specific health goals and needs. While more is not necessarily better, some studies have noted health benefits with a dose of 500 million to 1 billion CFUs.

Another study showed that 6 billion CFUs of B. coagulans showed significant improvement in symptoms relating to irritable bowel syndrome. (29)

Beyond Greens offers a lower dose than mentioned in these clinical reviews, so it may not provide gut health benefits on its own. It may still offer beneficial effects if combined with a diet rich in probiotics or probiotic-enhancing foods.

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS)

FOS, or fructooligosaccharides, are a type of prebiotic. They are found naturally in several foods, such as bananas, onions, leeks, garlic, and asparagus.

A prebiotic is a non-digestible fiber that can help feed the “good” bacteria in our bodies, or probiotics. Therefore, FOS plays a role in our gut health. And because FOS is a natural source of fiber, it may help those who are prone to constipation (30, 31)

Beyond Greens includes 190 mg (0.19 grams) of FOS, which is significantly less than the researched amount of prebiotics shown to be effective.

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS)

XOS, or xylooligosaccharides, are a lesser-known prebiotic fiber. It has the same benefits as FOS in supporting digestive health. It is being added to more supplements recently as it does not need as high of a dose to be effective.

A 2016 study showed that taking rice porridge containing XOS for six weeks improved gut microbial balance. In other words, they had more of the good bacteria. (32)

Acacia Gum

Acacia gum is a soluble fiber with several proposed health benefits, including reducing sore throats and coughs, weight loss, relieving pain and irritation, and aiding in wound healing.

One 2012 randomized trial showed that those taking 3,000 mg of acacia gum daily for six weeks experienced more significant weight loss than the placebo group. However, this dose is significantly higher than what is in Beyond Greens. (33)

​​Ceylon Cinnamon Bark

Ceylon cinnamon comes from the inner bark of the cinnamon tree and is also known as “true cinnamon.”

Ceylon cinnamon is considered the highest quality cinnamon as it contains less of a potentially harmful ingredient called coumarin. (34) Several studies have shown cinnamon’s health benefits, including its role in lowering inflammation and oxidative stress. (35)

​​There is no set dosage recommendation yet, but most studies use at least 1,000 mg, which is more than what is in Beyond Greens.

Safety Considerations and Side Effects

Beyond Greens powder is generally safe for healthy individuals. However, this supplement's most commonly reported side effects include gas, bloating, and diarrhea. Additionally, possible side effects of rhodiola may include dry mouth and dizziness. (36)

If you have diabetes, are on medication (rhodiola and milk thistle may have drug interactions), are pregnant, or are nursing, you should speak to your doctor before starting this supplement.

How Beyond Greens Compares to Alternatives

Greens powders is a very crowded market, with new brands popping up regularly. There are established brands, like Athletic Greens, and then there are less-known brands, like Beyond Greens.

The chief differences between Beyond Greens from its competitors are:

If you are looking for a greens powders to conveniently add as many nutrients as possible, Beyond Greens is not your best option. But if you are looking for a budget-friendly way to add some greens and antioxidant-rich nutrients to your diet, Beyond Greens may be worth a try.

Tip: When choosing greens powder, the taste is highly subjective but important because you have to drink it daily. We recommend trying several top brands before committing to one.

Try Beyond Greens

Beyond Greens contains 14 well-researched ingredients that may offer health benefits when incorporated into a healthy lifestyle. The brand also offers a 365-day money-back guarantee.

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