Wired Tests 16 Greens Powders, Finds Unregulated Market
7 reported
Wired magazine has published a review of 16 greens powders, updated in June 2026, after months of taste-testing and consultations with dietitians. The article notes that greens powders remain unregulated by the US Food and Drug Administration due to a 1994 ruling classifying supplements as food, not medicine. The author tested each powder at least three times on an empty stomach, mixing the recommended serving size with cold water, and paid attention to digestion, energy, focus, and flavor. Dietitians quoted in the article agree that greens powders cannot replace a healthy, varied diet but may help bridge nutritional gaps for those who do not eat enough fruits and vegetables. The review includes new powders from AG1, Daily Elements, and Nuzest, and removed some older picks.
What’s reported
Greens powders are unregulated by the FDA due to a 1994 ruling that supplements are food, not medicine.
The author tested each powder at least three times, first thing in the morning on an empty stomach, with 10 to 12 ounces of cold water.
Dietitians Shelley Balls, Dawn Menning, and Trista Best are quoted in the article.
Balls says greens powders fail to provide adequate dietary fiber and are not a substitute for a poor diet.
Menning notes that as of 2022, the CDC reported only 12 percent and 10 percent of American adults met dietary recommendations for fruits and vegetables, respectively.
Best says greens powders can be beneficial for vegetarians, particularly regarding iron.
The article warns that some ingredients in greens powders can interact with medications or trigger autoimmune disorders.
Key figures
Shelley Balls, registered dietitian nutritionist at Consumer Health Digest
Dawn Menning, registered dietitian and program director for digital health with the Nutu app
Trista Best, registered dietitian at Balance One Supplements
Sources: Wired
