In a world of supplements, it can be hard knowing which ones are worth the money and which ones you’re better off skipping.
Greens powders have become popular recently because they offer a mix of nutrient dense foods, such as veggies, seaweed, and some fruits in a convenient powdered drink mix. Lately, red powders are gaining popularity now as well.
Red powders are typically made of berries and high antioxidant contents and claim to support the immune system, protect against oxidative stress, and more.
This article will review what reds superfood powders are, including their purported benefits and the science behind them, and then provide a list of some popular reds powders along with an overview of their key features.
Recommended Reds Superfoods Powders Quick Table
Reds | Antioxidant | Avg. Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
4.9/5 (2,397 reviews) | $64.99 | ||
4.8/5 (10 reviews) | $99 | ||
4.9/5 (800+ reviews) | $79.95 | ||
4.1/5 (292 reviews) | $79.95 | ||
4.8/5 (2,053 reviews) | $49.97 |
What Are Reds Superfood Powders?
Reds superfood powders are powdered supplements that contain a variety of healthy ingredients like berries, beets, and other nutrient dense ingredients that yield their red color.
These powders often have a wide nutrient profile and offer a dose of healthy antioxidants. They offer a super easy and convenient way for individuals to increase the nutrient density of their diets because, if we’re being honest, most of us aren’t eating a ton of fruits and veggies every day.
Does this sound too good to be true? I get it. Let’s take a look at some of the purported benefits of reds powders and break down what research, if any, supports them.
What Are The Benefits?
If you’re shopping around for a reds powder, you’ll see quite a few different benefits listed, including fighting inflammation and oxidative stress, thanks to the high levels of antioxidants, improving metabolism, slowing aging, improving digestion, and more.
Certain foods and nutrients often included in reds powders definitely have research supporting their benefits, like pomegranate’s rich source of antioxidants and potential for fighting inflammation (1).
However, specific research on reds powders and their benefits is lacking.
One clinical trial did find that capsules containing powdered juice concentrate decreased oxidative stress as well as inflammation in a group of obese women (2).
While this is exciting and might be promising, it’s important to note that the study was funded by makers of a powdered juice supplement, so we have to take the results with a grain of salt.
Ultimately, there isn’t a ton of solid evidence supporting the use of a reds powder. Specifically, there isn’t any evidence that indicates consuming a reds powder will be as equivalent to consuming the whole-foods version of the ingredients.
Still, there is no arguing that they contain plenty of healthy ingredients, so they’re certainly not going to hurt. If you are considering a reds powder, we’ve reviewed some of the popular brands out there to help you make an informed decision.
Top 5 Red Superfoods Powders
There are some excellent brands out there with high quality reds superfoods powder supplements that people love. Below, I ranked my favorites based on clinically studied ingredients used and popularity of the product.
1. Opti-Reds 50
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Opti-Reds 50 is a reds supplement made by 1st Phorm. It contains 50 different fruits, vegetables, and herbs that are designed to fight free radicals in the body, support metabolism, and support overall health and wellbeing.
The ingredients include:
- Cardio Health Blend, including beets, sweet potato and cabbage. Beets
- Digestive Aid Blend, made up of plant-based grains and apple fiber.
- PhytoPhorm Antioxidant Complex, made of various fruits, vegetables, and herbs. It also contains coffee arabica extract and green tea extract, both of which are high in antioxidants (16, 17).
- Various fruits including banana, cranberry, apricot, and more.
This product, as with others, contains several proprietary blends. Be sure to review the label to check for any ingredients you may be sensitive to.
Additionally, because of the coffee and green tea extracts, I would recommend taking this supplement earlier in the day in case you are sensitive to its effects.
This product is 100% non-GMO and gluten-free.
Pros
Cons
2. Kylea Health Total Living Berry Drink
The Kylea Health Total Living Berry Drink contains more than just berries and red ingredients. It also contains 10 grams of vegan protein, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and a wide spectrum micronutrient profile.
This drink can serve as a multivitamin supplement, and should definitely be replacing a multivitamin if you’re currently taking one. On a similar note, it does contain over 100% of the daily value for several nutrients, so if you eat a decent variety in your diet, you may end up regularly over-consuming some nutrients.
Digestive enzymes sound like a great addition, but there’s actually very little research suggesting that they’ll help individuals without some conditions like lactose intolerance or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
Probiotics can get a bit tricky too because there are so many different strains out there. There isn’t a ton of research that supports probiotics for anyone without digestive conditions. Plus, some strains may end up doing more harm than good. If you are experiencing digestion problems, it’s best to see a healthcare professional before trying a probiotic.
Pros
Cons
3. Organifi Red Juice
According to the website, Organifi Red Juice supports revitalization and energy. One serving contains:
- Red beets, which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help lower blood pressure and blood lipids, and reduce the risk of some chronic diseases (3).
- Cordyceps, which is an ancient mushroom that may have therapeutic potential, including lowering the risk of chronic diseases and antiviral and antifungal properties (4).
- Rhodiola, which and adaptogen that has been shown to have the potential to help lower stress and anxiety in some individuals (5).
- Reishi mushroom, which is believed to have several benefits, such as promoting healthy aging, though research is still needed (6).
- Siberian ginseng, which is most commonly known for boosting energy and improving exercise performance, but the research on this is a bit mixed (7, 8).
It’s certified gluten free, non-GMO, USDA organic, and tested for herbicides and pesticides.
This powdered supplement contains proprietary blends, which means they don’t list the specific amounts of each ingredient. I typically recommend steering clear of proprietary blends for this reason. However, this product has been third-party tested so you can trust the safety and purity of the ingredients. Just be sure to review the label first in case you are sensitive to anything included in the blends.
Pros
Cons
4. Skinnyfit Beauty Juice
Skinnyfit Beauty Juice claims to help get rid of bloat and decrease the signs of aging. According to the website, it also increases energy, focus, and mood, and improves gut health.
Let’s take a look at some of the active ingredients:
- Acai berry powder. Acai berries contain antioxidants and polyphenols, both of which have been shown to have several health benefits, including helping to reduce the risk of chronic diseases and improving blood lipids (9, 10).
- Blueberry fruit juice powder. Blueberries are antioxidant-rich too and have been shown to also help reduce the risk of some chronic disease (11).
- Beetroot juice powder. Beets are another healthy food that may have positive effects on blood biomarkers and the risk of diseases (3).
- Reishi mushroom powder. Reishi mushrooms have become popular, but more research on their health benefits is still needed (6).
- Cordyceps whole mushroom powder. Cordyceps have antiviral and antifungal properties and may help lower the risk of chronic diseases (4).
- Lion’s mane mycelium powder. Lion’s mane has been linked to lower incidences of depression and anxiety as well as improved cognitive function, though more in-depth research is still needed (12).
- Turmeric root extract. Turmeric has been pretty well-studied thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties (13).
- Vitamin C. Vitamin C offers a lot of health benefits, but as it pertains to anti-aging, it’s important for collagen synthesis and protecting the skin from UV damage (14).
- Sodium hyaluronate. Hyaluronic acid has been shown to help improve hydration and elasticity in the skin (15).
This supplement also contains quite a few other ingredients such as various fruit powders and probiotics. Remember, not everyone will benefit from a probiotic and some strains may not be the right match for your needs.
While some of these ingredients no doubt have some research supporting them, most of it is not super strong and concrete. The claims on the website are a bit bold given the strength of the research.
Still, you may experience benefits by using this supplement so if you want to give it a try, go for it!
This product contains no added sugars, is certified gluten-free, vegan, soy-free, and non-GMO.
Pros
Cons
5. Feel Great 365 Superfood Reds
Feel Great 365 Superfood Reds contains both reds and greens. According to the website, it’s designed to boost immunity, wellness, and weight management.
This supplement contains several proprietary blends, including:
- Antioxidant energy blend. This includes several healthy ingredients like organic acai juice powder, organic beetroot extract, turmeric, and more.
- Probiotic digestive blend. This blend contains agave inulin, which is a fiber that can sometimes cause some bloating and discomfort in some, but not all, people.
- Plant-based digestive blend. Remember, digestive enzymes may not be all that helpful for individuals who do not have a related digestive condition.
- Berry antioxidant blend. This blend contains several berries, including cranberry, blueberry, raspberry, and strawberry.
- Red & green antioxidant blend. This red powder is actually a red and green powder because it contains broccoli and spinach too.
While these are proprietary blends, the ingredients are pretty straightforward, just keep in mind, if you are sensitive to anything that’s included, such as the inulin fiber, this may not be the best choice for you.
This product claims to boost immunity and wellness, which is likely true as it does contain a wide variety of healthy ingredients and nutrients.
As for weight management, this supplement may support your weight management goals but as a standalone, it’s not going to make or break your results.
Pros
Cons
Who Should Consider Supplementing With a Reds Powder?
If you are lacking fruits and veggies in your diet, adding a green or red powder may help you increase the nutrient density in your diet.
However, if you are taking a multivitamin or other vitamins, be sure to check the label as you may find yourself overdoing it on some nutrients. While certain vitamins and minerals are unlikely to become toxic, others can reach toxic levels and lead to serious health conditions.
I’m all for a food-first approach and highly recommend focusing on the foods you’re eating on a regular basis, rather than relying on a supplement. While a powdered red supplement may provide additional nutrients, eating whole foods (red, green, or any color) is still going to be superior.
Ultimately, a reds powder can be suitable for most healthy individuals, but it’s always a good idea to run it by your doctor first.
Are There Any Potential Side Effects to be Aware of?
I have not read many negative side effects of taking a reds supplement. However, many do contain proprietary blends and ingredients, such as inulin fiber, that can cause some bloating in some individuals, though not everyone will experience this.
In my honest opinion, these supplements can get rather expensive. So a big drawback is cost, especially when the research supporting the benefits of these products is not very strong.
Concluding Thoughts
A reds powder can be a convenient way to boost your nutrient intake, especially if your habits and lifestyle don’t often include a nutrient-dense diet.
While the research supporting reds powders is not concrete, they certainly aren’t going to hurt. Plus, many have shared anecdotal evidence of the benefits, so just because the science isn’t quite there, doesn’t mean you personally won’t experience benefits.
