Greens powders and comprehensive daily supplements like AG1 provide a wide variety of important nutrients in a single serving. But do they deliver on their promises?
Nutrition scientist Dr Georg Abel examines and compares AG1 to two alternatives: Huel Daily Greens and IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials.
How do you know if a supplement is high quality?
Dr Georg Abel: Not all supplements are created equal. To make a smart and safe choice when buying a daily supplement, I focus on this list of non-negotiables:
Supplements should always support – not replace – a balanced diet and active lifestyle. The right product works as a reliable partner to replenish essential nutrients and support overall wellbeing.◊ Choosing a formula that meets these standards means you can feel confident in both its safety and its lasting benefits.
Do cheaper alternatives compare?
Dr Georg Abel: As a nutritional scientist, I’ve seen firsthand how most supplements are built to meet only the bare minimum: safe ingredients, proper labels, and nothing more. Very few are ever clinically tested, and even fewer invest in meaningful innovation.
AG1 stands apart. With four independent clinical trials, it has demonstrated measurable benefits well beyond what the industry requires. Its inclusion of five clinically researched bacterial strains provides a breadth of support for the gut microbiota that other formulas with less strains simply cannot match. And unlike many products that remain static for years, AG1 is continuously improved, informed by emerging science.
Let's have a look at some alternatives:
 | IM8 Daily Ultimate Essentials | Huel Daily Greens | |
|---|---|---|---|
Clinical trials | 4 | 1 |  |
Bacterial strains | 5 | 3 | 2 |
Active form of vitamin B6 (P5P) |  | | |
Cologne List® certified | | | |
Informed Sport certified | | | |
Price per serving (subscription) | £2.96 | €3.50 | £1.50 |
Value for money | 9/10 | 7/10 | 5/10 |
Dr. Georg Abel: For me, there are three clear indicators:
AG1 is investing millions of dollars in scientific research to test the product's efficacy in gold standard human studies. This means that customers do not have to believe marketing promises, but can rely on measurable effects.
Learn more about AG1's research here.
AG1 is not only tested for heavy metals and contaminants, but also certified by internationally recognised supplement safety organisations like Informed Sport and Cologne List®.
Learn more about AG1's quality standards here.
Each scoop of AG1 contains 5 clinically studied bacterial strains for greater diversity in the gut microbiome. This effect has also been demonstrated in multiple clinical studies – an over 10x increase of bacteria in the gut.a-d
Learn more about AG1's ingredients here.
A common misconception: a longer ingredient list doesn’t mean better results. What really matters is how well your body can absorb the nutrients. That’s why AG1 focuses on bioavailability, using forms and combinations your body can actually use. For example: vitamin D is provided separately, in an oil-based form, for optimal absorption.
Don't all supplements get tested the same?
Dr Georg Abel: In the UK, supplements are legally regulated as food products. That means, to be sold, they must meet only the basic requirements: safe ingredients from approved lists, adherence to contaminant limits, proper labelling, and traceability.
Companies are not required to prove clinical effectiveness, conduct independent purity testing, or regularly update formulas as science evolves. In fact, certifications, third-party testing, and quality seals are entirely optional.
While these rules help ensure a product is legally compliant, they don’t guarantee it is the most effective, pure, or trustworthy option for your health. That’s why it’s important to look beyond the legal minimum.
Choosing a daily supplement like AG1 that undergoes rigorous third-party testing, is backed by clinical research, and carries recognised quality certifications (e.g. Informed Sport and Cologne List) provides peace of mind and a higher level of confidence that what you’re taking truly delivers on its promise.
The Original vs AG1 Alternatives
AG1
4 clinical studies on efficacy
Clinically tested bioavailability
Clinically studied bacterial strains
Certified by Informed Sport & the Cologne List®
Transparent testing with certificate of analysis
Over 15 years of research and development
Others
Rare, as they’re complex & costly
Bioavailability rarely tested
Bacterial strains rarely tested
Rarely tested & certified to sports standards
Certificates of analysis rarely accessible
Copycat products without continuous development
TL;DR
