Probiotic ‘good bacteria’ occur naturally in your gut and play a crucial role in this microscopic world. However, they can be disrupted by a range of factors, including poor diet, stress or taking a course of antibiotics. Dr. Mercola's fermented greens powder is sweetened with the no-calorie natural sweeteners monk fruit and stevia, which can help cut some of the grassy or bitter flavors of the powder without the added sugar. However, these ingredients have distinct flavors which you may or may not enjoy. These ingredients are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA, but not much is known about their effects on human health yet.

Some athletes: "Prolonged high-intensity exercise can increase vitamin and mineral needs. Some athletes have trouble meeting even their baseline nutrient needs, let alone an increased amount for optimal recovery," says Osburn. If you're a competitive athlete and decide to use a greens powder, be sure to choose a product that is third-party tested and free from any banned ingredients for your sport. Dietary restrictions: Some products may be certified gluten-free or vegan, which is a key consideration for those with strict dietary needs.Salve J, Pate S, Debnath K, et al. (December 25, 2019) Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus 11(12): e6466. doi:10.7759/cureus.6466 Bifidobacterium– usually added to yoghurts and cheese, or found naturally in some fermented food or live yoghurts 13 While the best way to boost your gut health is by eating a varied and healthy diet, getting enough sleep, and managing stress, there is some evidence for probiotics being beneficial, depending on what your symptoms are. And there is emerging evidence for other products too. However, more research is needed to understand greens powders and whether or not they offer true benefits. Please keep in mind that a great deal of the benefits of fruits and vegetables is offering nutrients in combination with dietary fiber, and greens powders usually offer little to no fiber. Greens powders cannot replace a well-balanced, varied diet, but they may be helpful to some people who aren't getting enough nutrients through food. But the NaturVet chews offer more than beneficial gut flora. They also incorporate supplemental stomach enzymes, including protease and cellulase, which aid in the breakdown of meat and vegetable materials in your dog’s food. It's a comprehensive approach to fortifying your dog's digestion as much as possible.

People with decreased absorption: People with certain illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease may have lower nutrient absorption. In these cases, a greens powder may help you achieve higher nutrient needs. However, be sure that there aren't any ingredients that can make your digestive problem worse. If you want pure greens powder without unnecessary added ingredients, we recommend True Grace Superfood Powder Broccoli Microgreens because the only ingredient is powdered broccoli microgreens. Microgreens are miniature leafy greens that are high in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, and research suggests these small plants have anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. We also appreciate this powder is certified regenerative organic, non-GMO, and grown on small US farms. Certified regenerative organic means True Grace places a strong emphasis on restoring soil quality and sustainable land use. People who travel frequently: It can sometimes be difficult to eat enough produce when you're constantly on the go, and greens powders can be an easy, portable way to meet some of your vitamin and mineral needs.It’s also home to 70% of our immune system, as well as trillions of microbes that have an effect on our health more generally, including mental health, heart health, kidney health and more besides. Kim D-U, Chung H-C, Choi J, Sakai Y, Lee B-Y. Oral Intake of Low-Molecular-Weight Collagen Peptide Improves Hydration, Elasticity, and Wrinkling in Human Skin: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Nutrients. 2018; 10(7):826. doi:10.3390/nu10070826

The Fera Pet Organics powder is loaded with 12 strains of probiotics, with each scoop delivering 5 billion CFU. Ceccherini C, et al. (2022). Evaluating the efficacy of probiotics in IBS treatment using a systematic review of clinical trials and multi-criteria decision analysis.Like other Vital Proteins products, this powder is third-party tested. Vital Proteins is known for its high-quality protein powders and thoughtful ingredient sourcing. Nested Naturals Super Greens: This greens powder sounded exciting to try due to its chocolate flavor, but the flavor was extremely overwhelming. It also left a lot of clumps behind. It may be a good choice if you want to pair the greens with a strong chocolate flavor.