What are the ingredients in AG1 (Athletic Greens 1) and are they scientifically proven to improve health?

Ingredients in AG1 (Athletic Greens 1) and Their Scientific Evidence for Health Benefits

AG1 (Athletic Greens 1) is a nutritional supplement that contains a variety of ingredients, but there is insufficient high-quality evidence to conclude that AG1 as a complete formulation is scientifically proven to make a person healthier in terms of morbidity, mortality, or quality of life outcomes.

Ingredients in AG1

Based on the available evidence, AG1 appears to contain:

• Vitamins and minerals: Including vitamin D, calcium, and other micronutrients 1
• Probiotics and prebiotics: For gut microbiome support 2, 3
• Phytonutrients: Plant-derived compounds with potential bioactive properties 2
• Digestible carbohydrates: As energy sources 2

Scientific Evidence for Health Benefits

Limited Direct Evidence for AG1 as a Complete Product

The most recent research on AG1 specifically includes:

• A 2024 in vitro study showing AG1 may help maintain gut barrier function following inflammatory challenge in a cell culture model 2
• A 2024 study using the SHIME® model (Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem) showing AG1 may have effects on gut microbial composition 3

However, these studies:

• Are laboratory-based, not human clinical trials
• Do not measure actual health outcomes in humans
• Do not assess morbidity, mortality, or quality of life

Evidence for Individual Components

Some individual ingredients in AG1 may have evidence supporting their benefits:

Tea Extracts

• Green tea contains flavonoids that have shown antineoplastic effects in animal models of lung cancer 1
• Tea consumption may protect against chronic diseases through antioxidant mechanisms 1
• Tea polyphenols may inhibit advanced glycation end product (AGE) formation 1

Probiotics

• May have potential protective effects against accumulation of AGE in the body, though further studies are needed 1

Polyphenols and Plant Compounds

• Certain polyphenols can inhibit AGE formation through antioxidant properties, metal-chelating ability, and other mechanisms 1
• Some plant extracts have shown anti-glycation properties in laboratory studies 1

Important Limitations and Considerations

1. Lack of Clinical Trials: No high-quality randomized controlled trials demonstrate that AG1 improves health outcomes in humans 1

2. Supplement Quality Concerns: Dietary supplements are not strictly regulated:

   • In 2007, approximately 25% of supplements purchased through US-based outlets were contaminated with steroids 1
   • More recent surveys conclude that "poor manufacturing processes and intentional contamination with many banned substances continue to occur in dietary supplements" 1

3. Potential Interactions: Some ingredients may interact with medications or have adverse effects in certain populations 1

4. Cost vs. Whole Foods: Many of the nutrients in AG1 can be obtained from whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which provide additional benefits 1

Bottom Line

While AG1 contains ingredients that individually may have some health-promoting properties based on laboratory studies, there is insufficient high-quality clinical evidence to conclude that AG1 as a complete product is scientifically proven to improve health outcomes related to morbidity, mortality, or quality of life. The most prudent approach to nutrition remains consuming a balanced diet rich in whole foods, particularly fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, which naturally contain many of the beneficial compounds found in AG1 1.