If Your greens Powder Has these ingredients - Ditch them 🧪🌿

Fact-Checked By a Nutritionist MD

Published on April 28, 2025

Greens powders are one of the easiest ways to boost your daily intake of nutrients — but not all of them are as healthy as they seem. While the idea is simple (get your greens in), some powders are loaded with added sugars, fillers, and artificial ingredients that can actually hold you back from feeling your best. You think you are spending money on greens and then you realise half the ingredients are actually fillers! If you're investing in your health, you deserve to know exactly what's in your scoop — and just as importantly, what's not.

Here’s a simple guide to spotting problem ingredients in greens powders, so you can make smarter choices every day.

Man in a GRNS-branded shirt stirring a green drink in a glass with the GRNS Complete Nutrition Formula container nearby, showcasing simple preparation for a nutritious lifestyle

What Are Greens Powders? 🌿

Greens powders are concentrated blends of nutrient-rich ingredients like barley grass, spirulina, chlorella, wheatgrass, and antioxidant-packed fruits.

Many also include prebiotics, probiotics, digestive enzymes, and adaptogens to support gut health, energy, immunity, and recovery.

High-quality greens powders (like this one) offer an easy, all-in-one scoop of wellness designed to simplify your routine and help you feel your best—without needing a shelf full of supplements.

Unhealthy Ingredients in Greens Powders 🚨

1. Added Sugars

Some greens powders sneak in cane sugar, fruit juice powders, or syrups to sweeten the taste.

Why it matters:
Even small amounts of added sugar can spike your blood sugar levels, trigger inflammation, and cause an energy crash later in the day.
Over time, regular hidden sugar intake can contribute to weight gain, poor gut health, and insulin resistance — exactly the things you’re probably trying to avoid by taking a greens powder in the first place.

What to look for:
Check the nutrition panel for “added sugars” or scan the ingredients list for words like cane sugar, sucrose, glucose, or fruit juice concentrate. Ideally, a good greens powder should have zero grams of added sugar. GRNS contains absolutely no added sugar — so you get all the health benefits without the hidden sugar spike.

Greens with no added sugar -> GRNS Daily Super Greens

Close-up of a vibrant green drink with ice cubes in a clear glass, illuminated by natural sunlight, emphasising freshness and vitality

2. Artificial Sweeteners

To avoid listing "sugar," many brands use artificial sweeteners like stevia, sucralose, aspartame, or acesulfame potassium (Ace-K) to mask the taste.

Why it matters:
Artificial sweeteners may be calorie-free, but they can still confuse your metabolism, disrupt your gut microbiome, and increase sugar cravings. Some studies link long-term use to digestion issues and headaches, too.
Instead of helping you feel healthier, they could be quietly undermining your gut health over time.

What to look for:
Watch out for chemical-sounding names (like stevia, sucralose, aspartame, saccharin) or terms like "zero-calorie sweeteners." A truly clean greens powder won't rely on artificial sweeteners for taste. Unfortunately, most greens powders contain sweeteners, a common one being stevia. GRNS Daily Super Greens contains no sweeteners.

GRNS is completely free from artificial sweeteners, offering a naturally smooth taste without any chemical shortcuts.

3. Fillers and Bulking Agents

Cheap fillers like maltodextrin, rice flour, gums, or even ground-up fibre powders are sometimes added to bulk up the product — not to improve nutrition, but to make it look "fuller" and cheaper to produce.

Why it matters:
Fillers dilute the potency of a greens powder, meaning you’re getting less of the ingredients you actually want.
Some fillers, like maltodextrin, also cause rapid blood sugar spikes (even worse than table sugar in some cases) and can irritate sensitive digestive systems.

What to look for:
If ingredients like maltodextrin or rice flour show up high on the ingredients list — especially before real superfoods — that's a red flag. A quality product should have little to no fillers at all.

Rarely do greens contain no fillers, however some greens like this one contain no fillers or bulking agents — just active, functional ingredients designed to fuel your body properly.

4. Artificial Flavours and Masking Agents

To cover up the taste of low-grade greens or poor-quality ingredients, some powders rely on artificial flavours and chemical maskers.

Why it matters:
Masking agents don’t improve the quality of the formula — they just hide it.
Artificial flavours can cause sensitivities in some people, lead to gut irritation, and don't belong in a clean, health-focused product.

What to look for:
Be cautious if you see “artificial flavor,” “natural flavor” (without specifying the source), or masking agents listed. Look for brands that are proud of the natural taste of their product.

GRNS skips the maskers entirely, letting the real quality of its ingredients shine through without needing to hide behind fake flavours.

5. Hidden Proprietary Blends

Some brands combine a large group of ingredients into a "proprietary blend" — meaning they don’t have to tell you how much of each ingredient is actually included.

Why it matters:
You might think you’re getting a full clinical dose of a superfood — but it could just be a sprinkle.
Proprietary blends make it hard to know if you’re getting enough active ingredients to actually make a difference.

What to look for:
Look for full transparency. A trustworthy brand will show the exact amount of each ingredient, not just group them under a mystery label.

A greens powder should list every key ingredient clearly — no guesswork, no hidden blends, and no diluted formulas.

Which Greens powder should i choose?

When it comes to greens powders, quality matters — not just clever marketing.
Choosing a powder packed with unnecessary sugars, sweeteners, fillers, or maskers can end up doing more harm than good.

That's why GRNS was created differently:

No added sugar

No artificial sweeteners

No fillers or gums

No masking agents

No hidden blends

Only pure, premium ingredients that work with your body.

🌿 FAQs About Greens Powder

1. Why do some greens powders add sugar or sweeteners?
It’s mainly to cover up the taste of low-quality greens. Many brands add sugar, stevia, or artificial sweeteners to make the product more "palatable" — but at the cost of your health. GRNS doesn’t take shortcuts. It’s made to taste good naturally without adding anything your body doesn’t need.

2. What’s the problem with fillers in greens powders?
Fillers like maltodextrin or rice flour bulk up the product cheaply without adding real nutritional benefit. They can also upset your digestion or spike blood sugar levels.
GRNS skips fillers completely. Every scoop is packed with real, active ingredients your body can actually use.

3. How can I tell if a greens powder is high quality?
Look for a fully transparent ingredient list (no hidden blends), no artificial ingredients, and real functional superfoods. GRNS makes it simple: no fillers, no sweeteners, no artificial anything — just premium greens, fruits, probiotics, enzymes, and adaptogens that support real health benefits.

4. Which greens powder has no sweeteners?
GRNS doesn’t take shortcuts. It’s made to taste good naturally without adding anything your body doesn’t need. No added sugar, no sweeteners, no nasties.

5. Should I use greens powders instead of eating vegetables?
No, greens powders should not replace real vegetables in your diet. They can help fill nutritional gaps but won't provide the same benefits as whole foods.

If you’re curious about trying greens powders, start with a reputable brand and talk to a healthcare professional if you have any health conditions or take medications. Balance is key!

6. What’s the best time of day to take greens powder?
The morning is ideal because it helps kickstart your day and is easier to remember. Taking it on an empty stomach may also improve absorption.

7. What if I don’t like the taste?
No stress. Try mixing it into a smoothie, juice, or yogurt. If you're using a brand like GRNS that’s tasteless, you don't even have to worry about taste!

Considering greens powders? GRNS offers high-quality products tested for purity and quality. Whether you're trying to improve your gut health, boost energy, or simply get more nutrients in your diet, our range has something for you. Visit our Science Page to learn more!