Suja Organic has been a prominent name in the health and wellness industry for some time, initially gaining recognition for its cold-pressed juices. More recently, Suja has expanded its product line to include greens powders, joining a growing trend in the supplement market. This article provides a detailed analysis of Suja Organic Greens Powder, including its ingredients, potential benefits, cost, taste, and overall quality, to help consumers make informed decisions about incorporating it into their daily routine.
What is Suja Greens?
Suja Organic Greens Powder is a daily greens supplement formulated with over 40 functional ingredients. These ingredients include leafy greens, vegetables, roots, herbs, mushrooms, probiotics, and added vitamins and minerals. Suja claims that their greens powder supports energy, immunity, and digestion.
Key Features of Suja Greens
- Ingredients: Contains a blend of leafy greens, vegetables, roots, herbs, mushrooms, probiotics, and added vitamins and minerals.
- Recommended Use: One to two scoops daily, mixed with 8 to 10 ounces of water or juice, preferably in the morning.
- Cost: \$59.99 for a one-time purchase of a 30-serving pouch; \$49.99 for a monthly subscription.
- Taste: Mildly sweet, grassy flavor, sweetened with monk fruit.
- Safety: Developed for adults; consultation with a healthcare provider is recommended before use during pregnancy, breastfeeding, or for children.
- Alternatives: AG1 and Live it Up Super Greens are potential alternatives, depending on individual needs.
Suja Organic Overview
Founded in 2012, Suja Organics initially offered fresh, cold-pressed juices aimed at improving customers' health through nutrition. In 2023, Suja introduced a greens powder to capitalize on the growing popularity of this supplement category.
Positives
- USDA-certified organic and Non-GMO Project Verified
- Third-party tested and made in the USA
- Includes 15+ vitamins and minerals, adaptogens, and digestive enzymes
- Gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, and plant-based
- No added sugar, artificial flavors, or fillers
Drawbacks
- Includes nuts and trace amounts of caffeine
- Contains tree nuts (coconut)
- Only available online
- Only one flavor
- Not GMP-certified
- Does not offer a money-back guarantee
- Only 1 billion CFU probiotics
Detailed Ingredient Analysis
Suja Organic Greens Powder boasts a wide array of functional ingredients. A closer examination of each blend provides insight into the ingredient quality.
Greens & Superfoods Blend (4854.5mg)
This primary blend includes a variety of common vegetables and fruits, as well as superfoods often found in greens powder formulas.
Read also: Explore the pros and cons of fruit juice detoxes.
- Broccoli Sprouts: Unlike mature broccoli, broccoli sprouts are young shoots packed with glucoraphanin, which converts to sulforaphane upon chewing. Sulforaphane has anti-inflammatory properties and may support brain function and gut health.
- Nutrient-Packed Grasses: This blend contains wheatgrass juice powder, alfalfa grass juice powder, barley grass juice powder, and oat grass juice powder.
- Health-Promoting Algae: Spirulina, Klamath Lake blue-green algae, and chlorella (cracked cell) powder are also included.
- Added Fiber: Acacia powder (gum arabic) is a soluble fiber supplement.
The ingredient list is ordered from most to least abundant. Organic kale, broccoli, spinach, coconut water powder, and spirulina are the primary ingredients in this blend. While coconut water powder may offer some benefits, it is not as nutritionally dense as powdered vegetables and may act as a filler.
Restoratives and Mushroom Blend (3782mg)
Suja Organic Greens Powder contains a blend of adaptogenic mushrooms. Adaptogens may help the body manage internal and external stressors, such as anxiety and fatigue.
- Maitake Mushroom Extract: May support adrenal function.
- Reishi Mushroom Extract: May support sleep.
- Shiitake Mushroom Extract: Contains antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties.Research indicates that these mushrooms are a source of bioactive compounds.
Oat milk powder is the most abundant ingredient in this blend. Oat milk powder is typically added to foods and supplements to improve taste and texture.
Immune & Digestive Blend (2319.5mg)
This blend includes ingredients that may support digestive health.
- Jerusalem Artichoke: Contains resistant starch, a type of fiber that feeds beneficial gut bacteria, which produce short-chain fatty acids crucial for maintaining gut health.
- Slippery Elm: May help the stomach and intestines produce more protective mucus.
- Dandelion Root Extract: Contains the prebiotic fiber inulin, which may support healthy digestion.
- Digestive Enzymes: Suja Greens provides nine digestive enzymes to help break down food into more absorbable substances. These include lipase, pectinase, protease, and invertase.
- Probiotics: Contains 1 billion CFU probiotics, which is a relatively low dose.
Suja Health Claims
Plants offer numerous health benefits. While there is limited research on green supplements specifically, the use of whole plants in their formulations suggests potential benefits depending on product quality.
Read also: Juice Cleanse: Benefits and Risks
Nutrition Boost
Suja Organic Greens Powder includes synthetic vitamins and minerals, effectively functioning as a multivitamin. This can help increase micronutrient intake for many individuals.
The supplement facts panel lists 17 vitamins and minerals, 12 of which are added. However, some essential vitamins, such as selenium, manganese, molybdenum, iodine, and vitamin K, are missing from the declared list. Suja likely contains vitamin K, as it is found in leafy greens and many other vegetables, but the amount is not specified. The supplement also likely contains antioxidants derived from the plants in its formulation. Suja also claims to provide a full serving of greens.
Immune Support
With the addition of synthetic vitamin C (100% DV), vitamin D (100% DV), and zinc (55% DV), Suja may support immunity, as these nutrients play a role in immune function. Adaptogenic mushrooms, such as Turkey Tail mushroom extract and Chaga mushroom extract, may also aid immune response.
Energy Maintenance
Energy is derived from the breakdown of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, a process that requires specific micronutrients, including B vitamins, iron, vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium. Suja Organic Greens Powder contains all of these nutrients except magnesium, suggesting it may support energy production for some individuals.
Suja Greens contains whole coffee fruit extract (coffeeberry), green tea leaf extract, and green coffee fruit extract (Svetol), yet the company states that it contains negligible caffeine.
Read also: Renal Diet Guide: Navigating Orange Juice Consumption
Gut Regulation
With the inclusion of acacia powder and Jerusalem artichoke, Suja effectively adds prebiotic fibers to its formula, which support gut health by feeding beneficial bacteria. The formula also contains nine digestive enzymes to aid in breaking down food. However, the probiotic content is relatively low, with only 1 billion CFU.
Pricing and Discounts
Suja Organic Greens Powder is priced slightly higher than the average greens supplement.
- One-time purchase: \$59.99 (\$1.99 per serving)
- Monthly subscription: \$30 for the first month, then \$49.99 each month thereafter (\$1.66 per serving)
Shipping is free to California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, and Oregon for one-time orders. For all other states, shipping is a flat fee of \$9.99 on all orders. All shipping is free for subscriptions, regardless of location.
Suja does not accept returns or offer refunds for processed orders but orders can be canceled or changed if they have not yet been processed.
Customer Testimonials
Customer reviews provide insights into the taste and texture of Suja Organic Greens Powder.
Taste and Texture
Customer reviews are generally positive, with an average rating of 4.5 stars on Amazon. Many customers find the taste slightly sweet and pleasant, and the powder mixes well into smoothies without clumping or becoming gritty.
Some customers find the flavor unpalatable. Many suggest that the only way they can tolerate the taste is by adding it to a morning smoothie.
Weighing In: Is Suja Greens Worth It?
Suja Organic Greens Powder is a strong contender in the greens market, containing a wide range of vegetables, adaptogens, and plants. It is USDA Organic and third-party tested. Potential drawbacks include the possibility that the numerous ingredients may not be effectively dosed and the relatively low probiotic content.
Suja and Weight Loss: Examining the Connection
While Suja Organic Greens Powder is marketed as a health supplement with benefits for energy, immunity, and digestion, its role in weight loss requires careful consideration. The information available suggests that Suja products, particularly its juices and cleanses, may indirectly contribute to weight loss through several mechanisms:
Calorie Restriction and Detoxification
Juice cleanses, like the Suja Organic 3-Day Cleanse, involve replacing solid foods with juices for a short period. This can lead to a significant reduction in calorie intake, resulting in temporary weight loss. Additionally, these cleanses are often promoted as a way to "detox" the body by eliminating processed foods and introducing a high concentration of fruits and vegetables.
Increased Energy and Improved Digestion
The nutrient-rich composition of Suja's greens powder and juices may contribute to increased energy levels and improved digestion. Ingredients like B vitamins, iron, and digestive enzymes can support metabolic processes and nutrient absorption, potentially leading to a more efficient metabolism and better weight management.
Appetite Control and Craving Reduction
Some users report that Suja's juice cleanses help control appetite and reduce cravings. The high water and fiber content of the juices can promote a feeling of fullness, while the elimination of processed foods and added sugars may help break unhealthy eating habits.
Important Considerations
It's crucial to approach Suja products and juice cleanses with realistic expectations and a focus on overall health rather than solely on weight loss.
- Sustainability: Weight loss achieved through short-term juice cleanses is often temporary. To maintain a healthy weight, it's essential to adopt sustainable dietary and lifestyle changes.
- Nutritional Adequacy: Juice cleanses may lack essential nutrients like protein and healthy fats. It's important to ensure adequate nutrient intake through other sources or to choose cleanse programs that incorporate balanced meals.
- Individual Needs: The suitability of Suja products and juice cleanses varies depending on individual health conditions and goals. Consulting with a healthcare professional or registered dietitian is recommended before starting any restrictive diet or cleanse program.