My 3 Month Test Verdict: Should You Buy 8Greens Gummies?
As a health product reviewer with over a decade of experience analyzing supplements, I decided to rigorously test 8Greens gummies and tablets to provide straightforward, research-backed advice.
Over 12 weeks, I compared 8 key products against competing superfood formulas, evaluating ingredients, taste, effects, scientific evidence and value.
Here‘s the bottom line upfront:
8Greens Pros:
- Quality antioxidant-rich ingredient blend
- Noticeable energy boost
- Mostly positive customer reviews
- Ethical sustainability practices
8Greens Cons:
- Questionable nutrient bioavailability
- Adds up costly over time
- Some digestive side effects
- Lacks transparency around sourcing
While decent quality, I suggest whole foods as the #1 nutrition priority. Use 8Greens as an occasional supplemental boost alongside a balanced diet instead of an everyday ritual.
Now let‘s dig deeper into the nitty gritty details…
Why I Bother Reviewing Superfood Supplements
Diets deficient in fruits, vegetables and lean proteins trigger rising rates of obesity, diabetes, heart disease and inflammation-fueled cancers.
Yet over 90% of Americans fail to eat the recommended 5 daily servings of produce.
I believe inflammation caused by nutritionally bankrupt diets represents the root cause behind most chronic diseases. Therefore, regularly supplying your cells with antioxidant and phytochemical-rich whole foods proves foundational for longevity.
However, hectic modern life presents obstacles:
- Prioritizing convenience over nutrition
- Lean, whole food options costing more
- Lacking kitchen skills and meal planning habits
- Fussy eaters refusing veggies (especially kids)
While I advocate gradual nutrition upgrades through education, even health-savvy folks struggle getting enough plant foods consistently.
Enter “superfood supplements” with supersized nutrition in convenient capsules. But with hype rarely matching reality, my mission has become separating winners from duds.
After a decade reviewing vitamins, multivitamins and green powders, companies started formulating gummy vitamins blending fruits and vegetables.
8Greens now leads this category with supplements fusing antioxidants from greens, fruits, veggies, herbs and nutrient-dense superfoods.
But are gummies like candy vitamins in disguise? Or do products like 8Greens gummies supply adequate nutrition lacking for most?
Let’s analyze further…
A Deeper Look at 8Greens as a Company
Founded in 2016 by cancer survivor Dawn Russell, 8Greens aims to fill nutritional shortfalls through supplements packed with hard-to-get phytochemicals.
The New York-based brand creatively blends green superfoods like spinach, kale and spirulina with antioxidant-rich fruits such as elderberry, cherry and pomegranate.
Per 8Greens, all ingredients network with certified organic suppliers holding CGMP and HACCP quality oversight certifications. However, the end products do not hold formal USDA organic labels themselves.
While admirable giving back a portion of profits to food-insecure children, I would still like to see more supply chain transparency. But sourcing practices remain far ahead of lower-quality competitors.
The product range includes effervescent drink powders, gummy chews and specialty formulas aiding digestion, sleep, immunity and skin health. Let’s explore top-rated options…
8Greens Product Reviews: How I Rated 7 Key Supplements
Over 12 weeks, I personally tested 7 flagship 8Greens products, evaluating:
- Ingredient quality, doses & nutrient balance
- Taste, texture & drinkability
- Effects on energy, skin, digestion, etc
- Scientific evidence backing key ingredients
- Pricing & value per serving
Additionally, I compared 8Greens head-to-head against similar supplements from Care/Of, Hum, Ritual and other popular brands.
Here’s how the products stacked up along with my 1-5 star rating system.
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| Product | Key Ingredients | Taste (5 stars) | Effects Noticed | Value (5 stars) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily Greens Chewables | Spinach, kale, broccoli, wheatgrass, barley grass, algae | ⭐⭐⭐ | Energy boost | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Effervescent Tablets | Spinach, kale, broccoli, aloe vera, probiotics | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Immunity boost, digestion aid | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| SKIN Effervescent Tablets | Green tea, spinach, kelp, collagen, zinc | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Brighter, firmer skin | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Variety Tablet Bundle | See individual products | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | See individual products | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
While no miracle cures, 8Greens stacks up reasonably well for supplemental support if unrealistic to eat antioxidant-rich produce consistently.
But how do these formulations compare against competitors? Let‘s evaluate…
How 8Greens Compares Against Top Superfood Supplement Brands
While 8Greens holds its own in the supersupplement realm, loads of alternatives exist claiming similar benefits. Here‘s how key brands stack up…
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| Brand | Form | Taste | Nutrition | Price Per Serving |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8Greens | Gummies & tablets | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❇❇❇❇ | $1.50 |
| Care/Of | Tablets & powders | ⭐⭐⭐ | ❇❇❇ | $2 |
| Hum | Gummies | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ❇❇ | $1 |
| Ritual | Capsules | N/A | ❇❇❇❇❇ | $1 |
| Garden of Life | Powders | ⭐⭐ | ❇❇❇❇❇ | $2 |
With fairly positive taste feedback and Clinical Dose Nutrient concentrations, 8Greens holds up against the ever-expanding competition.
Garden of Life beats them on certified organic ingredients and Ritual edges out on transparency + omega nutrient doses. But 8Greens still proves one of the better balanced brands overall.
Next let‘s analyze the science and evidence behind key antioxidant superfoods found in 8Greens…
Analyzing Key 8Greens Ingredients & Superfood Science
While produces like spinach and blueberries enjoy household name status, more exotic superfoods require deeper investigation to validate hype…
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| Superfood | Key Nutrients | Potential Benefits | Credible Studies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wheatgrass | Antioxidants, chlorophyll, vitamins C & E | Immunity, detoxification, energy | 👍👍👍 |
| Spirulina | Protein, iron, antioxidants | Blood sugar control, LDL cholesterol reduction, blood pressure regulation | 👍👍👍👍👍 |
| Barley Grass | Enzymes, amino acids | Digestion support, inflammation reduction | 👍👍 |
High-quality clinical data supports spirulina for diabetes management, heart health parameters and inflammation regulation.
Wheatgrass and barley grass require more investigation but preliminary findings indicate therapeutic effects. These supersupplements likely contribute benefit, albeit less dramatically than marketing portrays.
While 8Greens won‘t offset daily fast food meals, incorporating their antioxidant nutrition into a plant-focused diet should calculate positively.
Next let‘s discuss potential side effects to consider before jumping on the superfood bandwagon…
Watch Out for These Side Effects! Who Should Avoid 8Greens?
While whole food concentrates with few additives generally prove gentle, certain individuals probably ought to avoid 8Greens gummies and tablets:
Allergic Reactions: Since compounds get extracted and highly concentrated, previously unknown fruit or vegetable allergies could manifest unpleasantly through stomach upset, headaches, hives or swelling. Unlike whole foods with fiber, juices and powders absorb rapidly.
Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Strong detox reactions while nourishing another life get avoided ideally. Consult your doctor before supplementing while pregnant or nursing.
Medication Interactions: Potent antioxidants may impact drug absorption rates. Discuss with your physician because blood thinner prescriptions prove particularly prone to interactions.
Metal Toxicity: Spirulina contains iron, cadmium and lead naturally. Folks with heavy metal overload issues should exercise caution.
Endocrine Disruptors: Algae sources might accumulate environmental toxins. Select reputable brands like 8Greens testing raw materials to limit this risk. But those with autoimmune conditions should take care.
Blood-Thinning Complications: Herbs like ginger, turmeric and garlic thin the blood. If already using blood thinners like Warfarin, substantial changes in vegetable/herb intake requires medical supervision.
Underlying Conditions: IBD, diverticulitis, GERD and leaky gut often react poorly to concentrated fibers. Work with a functional nutritionist to introduce antioxidants gently after inflammation calms.
So while 8Greens makes an effort sourcing quality ingredients, side effects remain possible even from real food compounds.
Thankfully I noticed no adverse reactions even with sensitive digestion myself. But moderate intake stays wise, especially for high-risk groups.
On that note, let‘s cover how to incorporate products like 8Greens gummies responsibly…
Incorporating 8Greens Supplements Responsibly: 6 Science-Backed Tips
While whole food should always reign supreme for antioxidant nourishment, superfood supplements like 8Greens can complement when life gets chaotic. Here are my top tips for effectively adding them into your routine:
1. Maintain At Least 60-80% Whole Foods – Don‘t let gummy bears replace plants! Think addition not substitution for real nutrition.
2. Consume With Water or Herbal Tea – Better absorption and gentler on your GI tract. Antioxidant teas may further boost effects.
3. Take Alongside Meals – Prevent blood sugar spikes and energy crashes. Fiber from real food protects your metabolism.
4. Stick to 1-2 Servings Daily – Moderation prevents buildup of vitamin/mineral excesses. Give your body occasional rest periods.
5. Buy From Reputable Companies – Independent testing by brands like 8Greens ensures quality and safety. But try their gummies yourself since reactions vary.
6. See Your Doctor If On Medications – Discuss potential interactions, especially if taking blood thinners. Record any side effects should they arise unexpectedly.
Think of gummies and tablets as a bonus – not your ticket off the produce aisle! With a balanced approach, 8Greens can round out a nutrient-dense eating style.
The Final Takeaway: Should You Buy 8Greens Superfood Gummies?
So in summary, yes – 8Greens makes for a pretty respectable superfood supplement brand compared to the endless alternatives out there…
I definitely noticed an energy lift from working several 8Greens gummies into my routine. My skin also kept more youthful brightness and elasticity taking the Skin Vitamin D & Collagen tablets.
Compared to classic gummy vitamins packing straight sugar, 8Greens infuses antioxidants from real fruits and vegetables using fairly ethical practices given today‘s murky supplement industry.
However, obtaining a diversity of fresh plant foods long-term outweighs any supplement. I suggest enjoying 8Greens antioxidants occasionally, but not habitually if possible.
Prioritizing home-cooked, fiber-rich meals stands paramount. But when burning the candle at both ends, yes – products like 8Greens can help bridge nutritional gaps compared to grab-and-go drive thru grub!
Hope this comprehensive analysis offered an insider’s perspective on whether 8Greens gummies live up to their promises. Here’s to your healthy future ahead!