The Short Answer
The verdict is caution. Because plants naturally absorb minerals from the soil, heavy metals are a guaranteed risk in any dehydrated greens product.
Recent independent testing in 2025 found that 12 popular mixed greens brands exceeded California's Prop 65 lead limits by up to 9.2 times without warning labels. While most products fall under the FDA's general safety thresholds, the concentrated nature of these powders means you must demand third-party testing before drinking them daily.
Why This Matters
Plants like spinach, kale, and spirulina are essentially biological sponges. They pull both essential nutrients and toxic elements from the earth, which is why heavy metal contamination starts in the soil. Heavy Metals Supplements
When manufacturers dehydrate these plants to make supplements, they remove the water but leave everything else. This process wildly concentrates the heavy metals, meaning a single scoop could expose you to the contamination of several pounds of raw vegetables. Are Greens Powders Worth It
While the dose makes the poison, heavy metals like lead and cadmium bioaccumulate over time. Even small daily exposures can build up in your tissues, which is particularly concerning for long-term daily consumption.
What's Actually In Greens Powders
- Lead â A potent neurotoxin that accumulates in the body over decades. Independent tests recently found up to 2.2 mcg of lead per serving in premium brands like AG1. Is Athletic Greens Clean
- Cadmium â A toxic metal linked to kidney damage and bone density loss. Leafy greens are notoriously good at absorbing cadmium from industrial agricultural soils.
- Arsenic â Often introduced through contaminated groundwater. It is heavily prevalent in cheap, offshore-sourced spirulina and algae ingredients.
What to Look For
Green Flags:
- Third-Party Certifications â Look for the NSF Certified for Sport or USP Verified seals. These guarantee strict limits on contamination. Nsf Certified Meaning
- Batch-Specific COAs â Brands that publish their Certificates of Analysis prove they test every batch. This shows they actually verify their raw materials. Third Party Tested Meaning
Red Flags:
- Proprietary Blends â If a brand hides their ingredient weights, they are likely hiding cheap fillers. This makes it impossible to trace the exact source of heavy metals.
- Offshore Spirulina â Low-cost algae from poorly regulated environments is a leading culprit for heavy metal spikes. Always look for US-grown or rigorously tested aquatic ingredients.
The Best Options
Not all greens are created equal. Here is how the most popular brands stack up when it comes to contamination risks. Best Greens Powder
| Brand | Product | Verdict | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live it Up | Super Greens | â | Comprehensive third-party testing and transparent heavy metal screening. |
| Athletic Greens | AG1 | â ïž | NSF Certified, but independent labs found 2.2mcg of lead per serving. |
| Bloom | Greens & Superfoods | đ« | Heavy use of proprietary blends and lacks rigorous independent certifications. |
The Bottom Line
1. Demand third-party testing â Never buy a greens powder that lacks independent lab verification for heavy metals.
2. Rotate your brands â Switching up your supplement routine prevents you from accumulating specific metals from a single tainted soil source.
3. Eat real food first â No powder can safely replace the fiber and balanced nutrient profile of fresh produce. Greens Powder Replace Vegetables
FAQ
Are heavy metals in greens powders completely avoidable?
No, zero heavy metals is an unrealistic standard for anything grown in the earth. The goal is to find brands that actively test their raw materials to keep levels well below safety thresholds.
Is the lead in AG1 dangerous?
ConsumerLab found approximately 2.2 mcg of lead per serving of AG1, which is below the FDA threshold but above California's strict Prop 65 limit. While generally safe for healthy adults, experts recommend pregnant women and children avoid it.
Should I choose Athletic Greens or Bloom?
If forced to choose, AG1 is the safer option due to its NSF certification. Bloom lacks independent third-party seals, making it a riskier choice for daily consumption. Athletic Greens Vs Bloom