The experts agree that a healthy diet features fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low-fat or fat-free dairy, lean protein, and nuts. The critical components derived are carbohydrates, protein, fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals, and water. The macronutrients provide energy, and the micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) aid digestion and overall health, with each compound having specific functions. The typical Western Diet is woefully inadequate at delivering these nutrients and can lead to obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular risk. In response, health-conscious consumers resort to various diets and eating plans such as the Ketogenic Diet, no-carb, slow-carb, Vegan or Vegetarian, Paleo, or Intermittent Fasting.
Many people are turning to a greens powder to supplement their food intake and act as an insurance policy against deficiencies to ensure their eating plan delivers the macronutrients and micronutrients needed. This article compares two of the more prominent offerings in the greens space, Jocko Greens, from retired Navy Seal and author Jocko Willink, and AG 1 from Athletic Greens. These are two excellent products from respected companies and charismatic founders.
In this Jocko Greens vs. Athletic Greens (specifically AG1) comparison, we provide our opinion of which might be the better option for you and explain why more ingredients in a more complex formula aren’t always the clear winner.
Jocko Greens vs. Athletic Greens: The Products
Our research included a study by the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) that recapped clinical trial results of green powders as positive but not conclusive, noting that they increase energy and vitality.
Both our comparison products promise to meet your requirements for fruits and vegetables while providing a simple way to get your probiotics, micronutrients, and antioxidants.
Jocko Greens
Jocko Greens is a plant-based green powdered dietary supplement formulated with two blends of organic vegetables, superfoods, and fruits, probiotics for gut health and immune support, vitamins, minerals, and three herbs/adaptogens including KSM 66, a patented and trademarked Ashwagandha Extract.
The blends include twenty organic ingredients, including superfoods such as Spirulina, Wheat Grass, and Chlorella, plus high-quality fruits like Acai, Goji, Wild Blueberry, and Pomegranate. We detail the complete blends in the formulation section, including each compound’s potency, enabled by Jocko’s full label transparency. The adaptogens, Ashwagandha, Milk Thistle, and Rhodiola Rosea, help to boost energy and reduce stress. Eleven strains of probiotics deliver 9 billion CFUs to support digestive health.
Jocko Greens is manufactured in Maine in a federally registered, GMP-compliant facility in two Monk Fruit-sweetened flavors, original Pineapple Coconut, and new Peach. The product is Keto and Paleo Friendly, with no added sugars, colors, flavors, preservatives, or soy. Designed to support those with an active lifestyle and health enthusiasts.
How to take Jocko Greens
Recommended for daily use each morning, mix one scoop (10.2 grams) in eight ounces of cold water or blend with your favorite smoothie or juice, and consume immediately.
Athletic Greens AG 1
AG 1 is a powdered dietary supplement formulated to provide the health benefits of nine products in one serving, your daily nutrition foundation. In addition to three proprietary blends (Superfoods, Herbs & Antioxidants, and Enzymes & Mushrooms), AG 1 contains eleven vitamins, ten minerals, and two probiotics, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum – in total, some 75 different components. These ingredients deliver the antioxidant equivalent of twelve servings of fruits and vegetables in each serving.
AG 1 is manufactured in New Zealand in a TGA-registered facility (the equivalent of FDA registration in the U.S.). Additionally, both its product and facility are certified by the National Sanitation Foundation International (NSF). This third-party, non-profit organization certifies facilities as GMP (adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices) and products as Safe for Sport and free of banned substances.
To quote the company’s founder, Chris Ashenden, a self-described serial entrepreneur, Athletic Greens “has literally pioneered a new supplement category, foundational nutrition.” AG 1 is Keto, Paleo, and Vegan friendly. Ingredients are non-GMO, and the product contains no artificial colors, flavorings, preservatives, or sweeteners. It is non-dairy, gluten-free, and without nuts, eggs, corn, or added sugars.
AG 1 is the only item marketed by Athletic Greens and comes in one flavor, slightly sweet, picking up the flavors of pineapple, vanilla, some other fruits and vegetables, and stevia.
How to Take Athletic Greens
The recommended serving is one scoop (12 grams) in eight to ten ounces of water, preferably on an empty stomach, ten to fifteen minutes before your first meal.
Jocko Greens vs. Athletic Greens: Which Greens Product is Better?
Many nutritionists and other experts in the greens supplement space crown AG 1 as the undisputed champion in our battle of green powders. After all, in its short history (since 2010), Athletic Greens has garnered a dedicated following of the elite, from Oprah Winfrey to Hugh Jackman, Cindy Crawford, and Gwyneth Paltrow. Investors in the brand include Lewis Hamilton of F1 fame and musician Steve Aoki. The product, now in its fifty-third iteration, features 75 quality components. It is a powerhouse, considered a more complete and more comprehensive product than Jocko Greens.
This is not necessarily a dissenting view; rather, we present the facts in a manner that allows you to determine which product is a better fit for your needs, your lifestyle, and your pocketbook.
Head-to-Head Comparison of Formulations
| Jocko Greens | Athletic Greens | |
| Vitamins | ||
| Minerals | ||
| Fruits, Vegetables, Superfoods | ||
| Pre- and Probiotics | ||
| Herbs & Antioxidants | ||
| Digestive Enzymes / Mushrooms | ||
| Overall Formulation |
- Athletic Greens easily outperforms Jocko Greens in the MVM (Multivitamin/Mineral) comparison. AG 1 effectively replaces the need for a separate MVM product.
- Surprisingly, the Jocko Greens product gets better marks in the crucial Fruits, Vegetables, and Superfoods category. The twenty all-organic ingredients in Jocko’s Fruit and Vegetables blends deliver a total of 9.0 grams of product. This compares to twenty-three ingredients in the AG 1 Superfood blend, providing roughly 7.4 grams of products. Not all elements in AG 1 are organic.
- We applaud both brands for including probiotics and prebiotic compounds in their formulations. Jocko’s formula contains eleven strains of probiotics and 9 billion CFUs, including the Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum found in AG 1. The Athletic Greens product has 7.2 billion CFUs.
- The Herbs & Antioxidants blend in AG 1 (2.73 grams) dwarfs the three herbs and only 150 mg in Jocko Greens, and Jocko does not include digestive enzymes or medicinal mushrooms in its formulation.
- Overall, the 75 compounds in AG 1 and a larger serving size (12 grams versus 10.2) make it the more complete supplement.
While discussing products and formulations, AG 1 also receives slightly better marks in the corporate philosophies area. The facilities of both companies are federally registered, the FDA in the U.S. for Jocko Greens, and TGA registration in New Zealand for AG 1, and both companies are GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) compliant. However, Athletic Greens goes a step further with the NSF certification of its plant, inspected at least twice per year, the NSF Safe for Sport certification of the product, ensuring it is rigorously tested for banned substances, and its Climate Neutral Certification. To its credit, Jocko Greens features a fully transparent Nutrition Facts panel, listing each compound and its dosage versus the proprietary blends in AG 1, making the dosage of individual compounds impossible to quantify.
From a diet and lifestyle point of view, both products are Keto and Paleo, Vegan and Vegetarian friendly. Jocko products are positioned for those following an active lifestyle and a Keto diet, whereas Athletic Greens appeal to athletes and health enthusiasts.
The macronutrient content of the products is comparable with Jocko providing fewer calories per serving, 30 versus 50 in AG 1, and slightly more sugar, 2 grams as opposed to less than 1 gram in AG 1 (due to the Organic Fruit Blend in Jocko). Total carbs are the same, 6 grams in each product, and AG 1 offers one more gram of dietary fiber. Caution: For those seeking to manage their weight, although both brands are low-calorie, mixing them with something other than water will add calories.
Taste is subjective, and users seem split equally between a preference for the AG 1 slightly sweet taste of pineapple and vanilla or the pineapple coconut of Jocko Greens. Both products receive good marks for mixing well. Jocko has recently added a new Peach flavor to appease those who found the original too sweet. Given the option of two flavors, we give Jocko Greens a slight edge in the taste comparison.
The best way to access either product is by visiting their dedicated websites, where both companies offer savings for subscription/auto-ship replenishment plans. Jocko Greens also lets you purchase on Amazon.com or at The Vitamin Shoppe. To be fair, Amazon stocks an Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily product on its site, however, at the cost of $127.99 for a thirty-day supply.
Finally, we address the “elephant in the room,” the cost/value relationship comparison. Using the one-time purchase price on each brand’s website, the cost per serving is $3.30 for AG 1 and $1.77 for Jocko Greens. That represents a sizeable premium, almost double the price of Jocko Greens, for the AG 1 product. Consider that one could purchase a quality MVM (Multivitamin & Mineral) product and digestive enzymes to pair with Jocko Greens and still save money versus the AG 1 product. The trade-off? The convenience of an all-in-one foundational nutrition supplement at a premium, or a quality greens product with probiotics, herbs, and antioxidants, at significant savings.
Winner: Split Decision
Athletic Greens is the more complete and more convenient supplement to support overall daily health and well-being. However, Jocko Greens is the better value for those cost-conscious consumers looking to add a quality green powder to their supplement regimen.
Jocko Greens vs. Athletic Greens: Benefits
Greens products are dietary supplements designed to help you achieve your recommended five cups of fruits and vegetables daily to eliminate potential nutritional gaps and support your body’s energy, immunity, and detoxification. Research suggests that when combined with a healthy diet and lifestyle, greens may help reduce oxidation, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and age-related mental decline and improve overall well-being.
Jocko Greens Benefits
The Jocko Greens benefits claims focus on supporting and improving energy levels, bodily functions, physical and cognitive health, and well-being.
Athletic Greens Benefits
AG 1 emphasizes its multiple benefits as more than just a multivitamin or a green, supporting everything from energy levels to immune function and overall health. A single serving delivers the antioxidant equivalent of twelve servings of fruits and vegetables, plus probiotics, herbs, enzymes, and mushrooms to support the nervous system, hormonal and neural health, digestive health, liver function, and healthy aging.
Both companies take a responsible approach to their health claims, neither overstating benefits not supported by clinical trials.
The following segments help explain the rationale for our observations and substantiate our opinions by doing a deeper dive into the companies, the products and their formulations, and the associated costs.
Jock Greens vs. Athletic Greens: The Companies and Their Founders
Jocko Greens, Jocko Willink
John Gretton “Jocko” Willink (Jocko) Willink is a retired United States Navy officer who served twenty years in the service. As a member of Navy SEAL Team 3, Jocko received both Silver and Bronze Stars for his service in the Iraq War. Since retiring, Mr. Willink has become a best-selling author. His works include Extreme Ownership, The Way of the Warrior Kid, and a personal favorite, Discipline Equals Freedom. Other endeavors include co-ownership of the consulting firm Echelon Front, hosting weekly podcasts, ownership of Victory MMA & Fitness, a San Diego gym where he teaches jiu-jitsu – he holds a black belt in the discipline and co-ownership of Origin USA, the maker of Jocko Fuels.
In addition to Jocko Fuels, Origin USA, headquartered in Farmington, Maine, produces lifestyle apparel and is one of the only manufacturers of jiu-jitsu “gis” in the U.S. Jocko products are manufactured in FDA-registered, cGMP-licensed facilities. Jocko Fuels are marketed via the company website and available on other e-commerce sites and specialty shops such as The Vitamin Shoppe and GNC stores.
Additional products marketed by Origin’s Jocko Fuels include:
- Energy drinks, powders, and RTDs (Ready to Drink)
- Protein products, powders, RTDs, and cookies
- Creatine, Testosterone Support, pre-workouts, and a Multivitamin
- Gear and apparel
Athletic Greens, Chris Ashenden
Chris Ashenden, a native New Zealander, self-describes as a serial entrepreneur in the health and fitness space. He founded Athletic Greens in 2009 after falling ill in Phoenix, AZ, the previous year, learning his health problems were attributable to his inability to absorb nutrients properly. An essentialist, Mr. Ashenden, created his very simple regimen to drive very high efficacy, AG 1, the foundational nutrition supplement.
Incorporated in Wilmington, Delaware, Athletic Greens is headquartered and produced in New Zealand. The manufacturing facility is TGA-registered and NSF GMP-certified facility. TGA is the acronym for the Therapeutic Goods Administration, the Australian regulatory body responsible for approving medicines and vitamins. The NSF (National Sanitation Foundation International) is a non-profit that certifies products as free of banned substances (Safe for Sport) and that certifies facilities as GMP (adhering to Good Manufacturing Practices).
Today Athletic Greens still only markets its one product, AG 1, in its fifty-third iteration, on a direct-to-consumer basis. The only methods to access the product are through the company website or the Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily product available on Amazon.com. (Ultimate Daily has the same formulation and ingredients as AG 1). As noted, since its introduction, AG 1 has garnered quite a following, including professional athletes and celebrities. Given its latest round of funding, the company is now valued at more than $1.2 billion.
Jocko Greens vs. Athletic Greens: The Formulations
AG 1 sets the standard in the category. Yet Jocko Greens is also a well-formulated, comprehensive product with quality all-organic blends, multiple strains of probiotics, vitamins, minerals, and three herbs/antioxidants. We addressed many of the components in our comparison chart above. Given the number of compounds in these two products, we highlight a few more distinctive characteristics below.
Jocko Greens
- Vitamins A and C
- Minerals – calcium, iron, sodium, potassium
- All-Organic Blend of eleven Vegetables (5400 mg), including superfoods such as Spirulina, Wheat Grass, and Chlorella.
- All-Organic Blend of nine Fruits Blend (3600 mg), including Goji, Pineapple, Acai, and Pomegranate.
- Patented S11 Probiotic Blend of eleven strains, delivering 9 billion CFUs.
- Fifty milligrams each of Rhodiola Extract, Milk thistle Extract, and the patented KSM 66 Ashwagandha Extract.
AG 1
- Vitamins (10) and Minerals (11) – a complete Multivitamin/Mineral profile with many compounds meeting or exceeding the recommended Daily Value.
- Superfood Complex (7388 mg), including Spirulina, Wheat Grass, Chlorella, Alfalfa, Papaya and Pineapple, Cocoa Bean polyphenol, and Grape Seed and Green Tea extracts.
- Herbs and Antioxidants, a 2732 mg blend with the same Rhodiola, Milk Thistle, and Ashwagandha as Jocko Greens, plus beta-glucans, Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Coenzyme Q10, and Dandelion Root.
- Digestive Enzymes and Super Mushroom Complex (154 g) with Astragalus, Bromelain, Burdock Root, Reishi, and Shiitake powders.
- The two most popular and clinically tested probiotics, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, 38 milligrams delivering 7.2 billion CFUs.
Jocko Greens vs. Athletic Greens: Price Comparison
Jocko Greens
On its website, Jocko Greens cost $49.99 for a thirty-serving container. The company’s subscription plan for recurring auto-ship deliveries offers a 10% discount, reducing the price to $44.99. The cost on Amazon is slightly higher at $52.99.
The website’s returns policy is good for thirty days on unopened containers.
Athletic Greens AG 1
The only place to buy AG 1, the company website, retails a thirty-serving container for $99.00 for a one-time purchase. An aggressively promoted subscription plan reduces the price to $79.00 per unit and qualifies for a 90-day money-back guarantee. There is an additional $9.00 Shipping and Handling charge.
A further discount to $74.50 per unit is available for two containers each month should two household members use the product.
As previously noted, Amazon.com offers Athletic Greens, Ultimate Daily, the identical formulation as AG 1, for $127.99 for a thirty-day supply.
In Summary: Jocko Greens vs. Athletic Greens
Athletic Greens AG 1 and Jocko Greens are multi-ingredient dietary supplements containing vitamins, minerals, nutrients, pre-and probiotics, herbs, and antioxidants. Designed to provide essential nutrient support, these products supplement your dietary intake – as we should be getting most of our vitamins, minerals, fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants from our foods.
If, like most people, your diet doesn’t include the required fruits and vegetables, lower in saturated fats, sugar, and sodium, then perhaps you should add Athletic Greens AG 1 or Jocko Greens to your regimen.
