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By 2028, the global market for greens powders¹ is on track to reach a whopping $673.10 million. The amount of sales for greens supplements increased historically in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
While green powders are not a substitute for consuming a variety of real-deal fruits and vegetables, if you need help bolstering your intake, these powders may be worth considering as a supplement to your balanced diet of whole foods.
There are a plethora of greens powders on the market today, but we’re going to focus on Ghost Greens here. In this Ghost Greens Review, we will explore the product’s formulation and associated benefits, cost, taste, mixability, and quality. Will this product’s unique combination of superfoods, prebiotics, probiotics, antioxidant blend, and digestive enzymes partner well with your lifestyle? Check it out for yourself and see.
Medical disclaimer: This article is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended as a substitute for medical advice. For health advice, contact a licensed healthcare provider. GGR also recommends choosing a product that has been third-party tested for quality.
20 Greens Powders and Counting
Here at GGR, we are dedicated to providing you with fact-checked, honest reviews to assist you in choosing the best greens powder. Our team of experts comes from varying nutrition and fitness backgrounds as registered dietitians, CrossFit Level 1 Trainers, certified personal trainers, and certified nutrition coaches, and we all share the common goal of wanting to help you make a more informed purchasing decision.
Ghost Greens
GHOST Greens Superfood Powder
Product Highlights
- 19 individually sourced nutrient-dense greens and reds
- Contains Spectra antioxidant blend, prebiotics, 10 billion colony forming units (CFU) probiotic, and BioCore Optimum Complete Digestive Enzymes
- Greens include organic cracked cell wall chlorella, organic matcha, and organic spirulina
- 9 reds include jabuticaba, camu camu, and organic goji berry
- Transparent label with no proprietary blends
- Claimed to promote a high degree of nutrient absorption
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Reported to mix well
- Most users found the texture smooth
- Described by some as the “best tasting greens”
- Added probiotics
- Transparent list of ingredients
Cons
- May cause stomach issues for some
- May be an acquired taste for some
Bottom Line
GHOST Greens Superfood Powder is a nutrient-dense greens and reds supplement featuring 19 individually sourced ingredients, including organic cracked cell wall chlorella, organic matcha, organic spirulina, jabuticaba, camu camu, and organic goji berry. Additionally, it contains an antioxidant blend, prebiotics, a probiotic with 10 billion CFUs, and BioCore Optimum Complete Digestive Enzymes to promote nutrient absorption. Available in two flavors, this superfood powder receives predominantly positive reviews, with some users even describing it as the “best tasting greens powder” on the market.
A Quick Look at Ghost Greens
Co-founders Ryan Hughes and Daniel Lourenco kicked off Ghost in 2016. They felt that the market was inundated with bodybuilding supplements so they sought to create products that were geared towards the average person.
Ironically, Ryan was a professional bodybuilder and Daniel was a professional pilot. This dynamic duo teamed up to make dietary supplements that could fit into any active lifestyle. Their Ghost lifestyle brand has caught a lot of attention due to their inclusive approach.
Before You Buy
- You can automatically get 20% off of your order by signing up to receive texts from Ghost.
- Be rewarded through their loyalty program for not only buying Ghost products, but also posting pictures with their dietary supplements, like pre-workout and whey protein powder, or apparel.
Are Ghost Greens Worth It?
For starters, this greens powder takes “going green” to a whole new level. For every tub of Ghost Greens sold, a tree is planted—we like that!
Now the supplement itself combines 19 whole foods, Spectra Total ORAC blend, and a digestive complex. Sticking true to their mantra “be seen”, Ghost says this powder is made without artificial colors or flavoring, binding agents, and fillers. To help you decide if this supplement is worth the hype (and your purchase), check out the lists below:
Great for:
- Those who prefer natural sweeteners, such as organic whole leaf stevia extract
- People who want or need gluten-free and soy-free products
- Those who prefer vegan-friendly products
Not recommended for:
- People who have chronic kidney disease or adhere to a low-potassium diet
- Those seeking a product that is third-party tested
- People looking for a high-fiber supplement or daily multivitamin
- Those who want to replace real fruits and veggies with a powder
Ghost Greens Specs
| Price per serving | $1.50 (30 servings) |
| Flavor | Iced Tea Lemonade, Guava Berry, Lime, Original |
| Vitamins | B6, B1, B2, B12, E, C, K, A |
| Minerals | Potassium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, manganese, magnesium, calcium |
| Digestive enzymes | BioCore Optimum Complete: Amylase, protease, alpha-galactosidase, glucoamylase, lactase, invertase, lipase, acid maltase, peptidase |
| Antioxidant blend | Spectra Total ORAC Blend: Coffea arabica, green tea, broccoli sprout, onion, apple, quercetin, tomato, broccoli, camu camu, maltodextrin, acerola, acai, turmeric, garlic, basil, oregano, cinnamon, carrot, elderberry, mangosteen, blackcurrant, blueberry, sweet cherry, raspberry, spinach, chokeberry, kale, blackberry, silicon dioxide, bilberry, brussels sprout |
| Prebiotics | Inulin from chicory root |
| Probiotics (providing 10 billion CFUs) | B. subtilis, L. acidophilus, S. boulardii, B. coagulans, B. lactis |
| Whole Food Sources | Kale, organic matcha, organic wheat grass, organic spirulina, chlorella, barley grass, oat grass, alfalfa grass, broccoli, astragalus, acai, pomegranate, blueberry, cranberry, jabuticaba, camu camu, aronia fruit powder, noni, organic goji berry |
| Third-party Tested? | No |
Experience Using Ghost Greens
GGR Editor Frieda Johnson had a positive experience while testing Ghost Greens. “In terms of the formula, it’s not as robust as some other greens powders we’ve tried, but it tastes really good, so there’s that,” she explains.
Ghost also makes actually taking their supplements easier than most companies as well, and it’s something Frieda appreciated. “They have a notch around the inside of the tub where you can put the scoop to keep it from getting buried, which I think is super smart; I wish more supplement brands did that!”
Price Per Serving
For $44.99, you can buy Ghost Greens on the company’s website in an 11-ounce tub. Each tub has 30 servings, so you’re looking at $1.50 per 9.5-gram serving. However, if you subscribe to receive this supplement routinely, then you can save an additional 25%. This route could save you more (even with shipping included) than if you purchased on Amazon, since Amazon does not offer bulk purchases. The price to purchase one tub of this greens supplement on Amazon doesn’t differ from their website. So if you aren’t looking for routine delivery, you can save some money with free shipping as an Amazon Prime Member.
The price per serving for Ghost Greens is comparatively lower than other green powders we have reviewed. Does this mean that their formula is up to par with the others on the market? We did our homework, so that you can decide.
Formulation
The Ghost brand revolves around transparency, including what goes into their supplements. Without third-party testing though, how transparent is the formulation of this greens blend powder?
Their proprietary blend amount is 266 grams total weight for 30 servings per container. However, the front of their container label states that the net weight is 315 grams total. If the ingredient list claims no fillers or binding agents, where does the remaining almost 50-gram difference come from?
Apart from this discrepancy, we’re pleased to see a ton of ingredients that may help with nutrient absorption and overall gut health. They’ve made the ingredient list easy to understand and have broken it down into six groups.
Group one is called Super Greens and is 4,340 milligrams of 10 different sources. Kale powder makes up the majority of this subgroup. Kale has gained a lot of attention from nutraceutical companies due to its incredible micronutrient makeup. It has claimed green superfood status due to it being very rich in your daily recommended amount of vitamins K, A, and C2. You’ve probably heard that vitamin C3 boosts your immune system, but it also assists proteins in wound healing and increases iron absorption during digestion.
Next, a solid 2,200 milligrams of nine different ingredients makes up the Antioxidant Reds blend. From this blend you will find 350 milligrams of blueberry juice powder. Blueberries4 contain anthocyanins, a kind of phytochemical. Research studies have tied anthocyanins to anti-inflammatory and antioxidative functions. These functions may help reduce your risk of heart disease, decrease type 2 diabetes development, neutralize free radicals, and protect your nervous system.
Also promoting antioxidative function is 100 milligrams of their Spectra Total ORAC Blend5. In one research study, it was found that Spectra-dosed participants had a significantly improved gut microbiome compared to their placebo counterparts. Spectra recipients increased their antioxidative functionality by seventeen percent. Pretty impressive. We will note here though, that the amounts of the specific ingredients in the Spectra blend are not disclosed.
To enhance your digestive health, the remaining three groups are encompassed into what they have branded as Ghost Gut Health blend: 2,000 milligrams of inulin, 115 milligrams of Ghost Probiotic, and 110 milligrams of BioCore Optimum Complete. When a product contains both prebiotic fibers and a probiotic blend, it is considered synbiotic6. When combined, these ingredients are found to work together to possibly improve viability in the GI system, enhance nutrient absorption, and improve symptoms of gastrointestinal discomfort. The BioCore enzymes7 are a nice addition to aid in the digestion of macronutrients and therefore fat-soluble vitamins.
While Ghost Greens does provide a good source of whole-food greens, fruit extracts, and digestive aids, we found that it’s lacking mushrooms, which are a great source of micronutrients, as well as any adaptogens like ashwagandha or ginseng, which are a natural stress-reliever for the body. You’ll need to decide what’s important to you and what you want to get out of your greens powder to decide whether or not this is a dealbreaker.
So, now that we’ve learned a bit about what goes into this greens powder, how does it taste? We’re happy to report that the consensus is astoundingly positive.
Taste and Solubility
Ghost Greens enthusiasts are pleased with this powder’s flavor profile and mixability. Frieda picked up on what others reported with regard to mixability. She says, “It blends pretty well with just a slight grainy texture.” Reviews reflect the texture leaving a chalky mouthfeel but overall, everyone seems to be content with this powder.
“I got the Guava Berry and I like it just fine,” Frieda says. “The flavor isn’t too sweet but is sweet enough that I don’t need to mix it with anything, I can enjoy it just mixed with water.”
Side Effects
While there are plenty of potential super greens powder benefits, mild side effects are also common, too.
Despite the added digestive blend ingredients, some may still suffer from gastrointestinal discomfort after using this powder. Loose bowel movements, bloating, and gas are a few side effects that users have associated with this product. Perhaps this is due to them following the suggested use on the Ghost website; they recommend a daily serving of powder with eight ounces of your beverage choice. Be sure to introduce greens powders slowly to your daily regimen to prevent disrupting your overall gut health.
Before you start any new supplement, ask your physician if it is appropriate for you. For example, you can suffer severe cardiovascular issues8 from magnesium toxicity, elevated potassium levels, and excess zinc9 intake. There are risks associated with dietary supplements since they are not regulated.
Third-Party Testing
Dietary supplements are not regulated through the FDA. Therefore, third-party testing is something to look for. It shows that the supplement manufacturer has gone the extra step to verify credibility and purity to provide high-quality ingredients. Ghost Greens is not third-party tested. Keep this in mind if you are an athlete—what you consume is important and may be more closely regulated.
Comparison to Nested Naturals Super Greens
Nested Naturals Super Greens
Nested Naturals Super Greens Original
Product Highlights
- Contains over 20 whole foods, probiotics, fiber, and enzymes
- 100% organic, non-GMO, and vegan
- One scoop contains 667 milligrams of spirulina, 400 milligrams of chlorella, and 1.67 billion CFU of probiotics
- Third party-tested and approved
- Lifetime money-back guarantee
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Non-GMO, Vegan, 100% organic
- Available in chocolate flavor
- Contains prebiotic inulin to help feed healthy bacteria in the gut
- Over 20 whole foods included
- Many reviews report noticeable differences in energy, mood, and digestion
Cons
- May be too strong for some and irritate the stomach
- Taste is not great but, as a powder made primarily with vegetables, that is not surprising
Bottom Line
While the taste may not suit everyone, Super Greens effectively provides users with a potent dosage of phytonutrients, micronutrients, probiotics, fiber, and enzymes.
At GGR, we’ve tested over 20 greens powder supplements. To give you a better idea of how Ghost Greens compares to similar products, let’s take a look at Nested Naturals Super Greens.
Neither product is certified by a third-party organization like Banned Substances Control Group or NSF. However, Nested Naturals is very forthcoming about their vetting process. Their greens powder is tested for pathogens, heavy metals, and is put through independent lab testing. This is a bonus that Ghost doesn’t offer.
Ghost Greens is also about fifty cents more expensive per scoop. However, it does offer more flavor options than Nested Super Greens. Although the supplement facts for Ghost’s greens powder is super informative, it does lack the micronutrient breakdown of what you should expect to consume per scoop. Nested Naturals offers an extensive list of micronutrients in their product—right down to the percentage of your recommended daily value you’ll find per scoop.
Check out our full Nested Super Greens review if you’re eager to learn more about it.
Customer Experience
Something unique that Ghost offers is their mobile app. In addition to the app, the main way for you to connect with the Ghost Support team is email. Unless your product arrives damaged, you will have had to buy the product at regular price to be issued a refund for a return. The supplement has to have been bought within the last fifteen days, be unopened, and still in its original packaging as well.
Ordering Ghost Greens
When you buy Ghost Greens from their website, you can choose from any of their four flavor options. If you choose to subscribe and save with a routine delivery schedule, keep in mind that you are stuck with the flavor you pick at checkout. Be confident in your flavor choice, because their return policy for supplements is pretty strict.
Once you’ve loaded up your cart and filled out your general information, you’ll be forced to pick the 3-to-5 business day shipping option. Once you reach the payment screen, you’ll have a few options for payment: credit card, PayPal, Sezzle, or set up installments through ShopPay.
Customer Reviews
Don’t rely on customer reviews from the Ghost website to help guide your purchasing decision. There are none. However, of 348 ratings on Amazon and 147 ratings on GNC, they each hold 4.5 out of 5 stars.
User feedback gives kudos to Ghost for making an affordable, great-tasting greens powder that mixes well with just about anything. Reviewers report easily mixing this powder in smoothies, almond milk, apple juice, and just plain water.
Final Verdict of Our Ghost Greens Review
Ghost continues to rise in popularity in the supplements market, and their greens powder supplement might cross your radar. Let’s check out a few final takeaways about Ghost Greens, to help you decide if it’s right for you:
- This supplement has a unique blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and digestive enzymes present that may help support nutrient absorption and digestion, as well as a good mix of whole-food greens and fruit extracts. It’s missing mushrooms and adaptogens though.
- There are some proprietary blends in the formulation; we always like to see ingredients quantified.
- This powder lacks third-party verification and therefore we can’t attest to the purity of the ingredients used.
- It’s affordable and tastes good, so if you’re OK with some of the formulation shortcomings, Ghost Greens could be a good option.
Ghost Greens Rating
Ghost Greens
In our Ghost Greens review, we’ll deep dive into the formulation of this popular greens powder to help you decide if it’s worth the money.
Product Currency: USD
Product Price: 43
Product In-Stock: InStock
3.1
Ghost Greens FAQs
What does Ghost Greens do for your body?
The ingredients found in this powder are packed with micronutrients. Although we aren’t sure if you’ll get research-backed doses, there are still potential benefits to be had. Some include an improved immune system, decreased risk of chronic diseases, and help with weight maintenance.
What are the cons of super greens?
The ingredients found in this supplement are unique and arguably not found in your day-to-day intake. Therefore, you may struggle with the digestibility of this product and encounter GI discomfort. Also, there’s not a ton of research available on their benefits; you’re probably better off consuming more fruits and vegetables than investing in a greens powder.
Do super greens really work?
While some research10 supports the wellness benefits offered by super greens—they possess pharmacological functions that may help to protect your heart, decrease cancer risk, prevent diabetes, preserve bone health, and preserve nerve function—they’re not a magic cure for anything. Instead, focus on eating a well-balanced, nutrient-dense diet and staying active for optimal health.
How long does it take for powdered greens to work?
It depends on what benefit you’re hoping to get out of the powdered green you choose. In general though, with most supplements, you’ll have to take them consistently for a month or two before you may start to notice any benefits.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.
References
- Global Green Powder Market Growing at a CAGR of 12.90%: Latest Trend Analysis, Industry Demand Status, Size Estimation, Top Players Strategies, Forthcoming Development, Revenue Expectation, and Forecast to 2028. Industry Research. https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/07/07/2475867/0/en/Global-Green-Powder-Market-Growing-at-a-CAGR-of-12-90-Latest-Trend-Analysis-Industry-Demand-Status-Size-Estimation-Top-Players-Strategies-Forthcoming-Development-Revenue-Expectatio.html. Published July 07, 2022. Accessed June 09, 2023.
- Khalid W, Iqra, Afzal F, et al. Industrial applications of kale (Brassica oleracea var. sabellica) as a functional ingredient: a review. Intern Journ Food Prop. 2023;26(1):489-501. doi: 10.1080/10942912.2023.2168011
- Vitamin C. National Institutes of Health. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminC-Consumer/#:~:text=Vitamin%20C%2C%20also%20known%20as,food%20we%20eat%20into%20energy. Updated March 22, 2021. Accessed June 23, 2023.
- Kalt W, Cassidy A, Howard LR, et al. Recent research on the health benefits of blueberries and their anthocyanins. Adv in Nutr. 2020;11(2):224-236. Doi: 10.1093/advances/nmz065
- Nemzer BV, Fink N, Fink B. New insights on effects of a dietary supplement on oxidative and nitrosative stress in humans. Food Sci Nutr. 2014;2(6):828-839. doi:10.1002/fsn3.178
- Pandey KR, Naik SR, Vakil BV. Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics – a review. Journ of Food Sci and Tech. 2015;52:7577-7587. doi: 10.1007/s13197-015-1921-1
- BioCore Optimum Complete. Deerland Probiotics & Enzymes. https://deerland.com/products/biocore-optimum-complete/. Accessed June 23, 2023.
- The Link Between Potassium, Magnesium, and Heart Health. Orlando Clinical Research Center. https://ocrc.net/the-link-between-potassium-magnesium-and-heart-health/#:~:text=The%20Importance%20of%20Magnesium%20and,disease%2C%20or%20even%20heart%20attack. Published February 24, 2023. Accessed June 23, 2023.
- Zinc. National Institutes of Health. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Zinc-Consumer/#:~:text=Signs%20of%20too%20much%20zinc,cholesterol%2C%20and%20low%20copper%20levels. Updated October 04, 2022. Accessed June 22, 2023.
- Taulavuori K, Julkunen-Titto R, Hyoky V, et al. Blue mood for superfood. NPC. 2013;8(6):791-794. doi: 10.1177/1934578X1300800627
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