AG1 vs. Functional Foods: Which Packs a Bigger Punch?
You’ve probably heard of AG1—formerly Athletic Greens. It’s a greens powder made with 75+ ingredients, including vitamins, minerals, probiotics, and adaptogens. Promoted by influencers like Dr. Andrew Huberman, AG1 claims to support gut health, energy, and aging.
But is more always better?
What’s in AG1?
A glance at the AG1 ingredients list reveals a dense blend of compounds—from spirulina and reishi mushroom extract to synthetic B vitamins and digestive enzymes. The AG1 nutrition label and AG1 nutrition facts are certainly long and while that sounds convenient, the ingredients are so broad that you may only be getting small amounts of key nutrients, like sulforaphane, found in some types of microgreens like broccoli.
Some downsides:
Not certified organic
Mostly synthetic vitamins
Sweetened and flavored (taste is hit or miss)
Price: $79/month subscription or $99 one-time
A Functional Food Alternative: Microgreens
Functional foods—whole or minimally processed foods with health benefits beyond basic nutrition—offer an alternative. Instead of relying on synthetic blends, they deliver bioactive compounds in their natural context, which the body can often absorb and use more effectively.
For example, freeze-dried microgreens, like in BeMicro’s Organic Microgreens Powder, are rich in functional compounds like sulforaphane and anthocyanins that help activate the Nrf2 pathway. Grown organically and processed without additives, they provide highly concentrated nutrition in just a small spoonful. You’re not getting a hint of a nutrient—you’re getting the real thing, straight from the plant.
Why Go Food-First?
Functional foods can offer:
Higher nutrient bioavailability in many cases
Cleaner ingredient lists without synthetic fillers
Better transparency—what you see is what you get
While AG1 offers convenience and variety, it’s ultimately a supplement. Functional foods offer a direct connection to plant-based nutrition, with fewer ingredients and more intention behind each one.
The Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a broad, all-in-one supplement, AG1 might be appealing. But if you prefer whole, potent ingredients with fewer trade-offs, functional foods like freeze-dried microgreens offer a compelling alternative.
Want to explore what food-first nutrition looks like? Check out products like organic broccoli microgreens powder for a sulforaphane-rich boost—no synthetic additives, just real plants.