Update 3/9/20. Alkalize. Balance. Detoxify. These are words used to describe “It Works, Greens”, a supplement said to restore pH balance to the body. With restored alkalinity, it’s said, you will experience immune system health and increased energy. I’ve been intrigued by –and had questions about – claims that we can alter the alkalinity of the body to improve health for a while now and so when It Works Greens came to my attention, I thought I’d review it and see what I might discover. If you are curious also, keep reading, and let’s see what we can find out about it. Also, see the review of It Works Fat Fighter as well as the ThermoFit review for more information.
It Works Greens Research
Clinical research on It Works Greens could not be located. That doesn't mean the supplement doesn't work. Rather, it means we need to evaluate the ingredients in the Greens supplement.
It Works Greens Nutrition Facts
According to the product label, a serving of It Works Greens (Berry Flavor) is 2-level scoops (4 grams) mixed with 8 oz of water. These 2 scoops have the following basic nutrition information:
| Amount Per Serving | Percent Daily Value | |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 10 | |
| Total carbs | 2g | 1% DV |
| Dietary Fiber | 1 g | 4% DV |
| Magnesium (dimagnesium malate) | 50 mg | 12% DV |
| Potassium (potassium citrate | 250 mg | 7% DV |
Other ingredients listed are Natural flavors and silica. They don’t say what the natural flavors are.
Dimagnesium Malate
This is the form of magnesium used in It Works Greens. Basically, magnesium is chemically bonded to another compound (malic acid) to increase its absorption.
Potassium Citrate
Potassium Citrate is the form of potassium used in the supplement. It’s the mineral potassium, bonded to citric acid. Like magnesium above, this may be so as to increase absorption.
Two scoops of It Works Greens provide 250 mg of potassium. One cup of spinach has over 800 mg of potassium.
Other ingredients
The Berry Flavor of It Works greens also contains these other ingredients
- Natural flavors (not sure what they are)
- Malic acid
- Citric acid
- Silica
- Rebaudioside A (this is Stevia)
These other ingredients likely play no role in any of the effects the product might have.
The Proprietary Blends
It Works Greens contains two proprietary blends containing several different ingredients. Here are the amounts contained in each of them:
- Greens Proprietary Blend has 1080mg (about 2.2 grams). It used to be 2231 mg.
- Whole Food Proprietary Blend 2 has 1475mg. It used to be 330mg.
To put things in perspective, 1 ounce of anything equals 28 grams.
The ingredients listed at the beginning are present in the greatest concentration, while those at the end of the list are present in the lowest concentration.
Greens Proprietary Blend (1,080 mg)
The Greens Blend ingredients have changed since this review was created. The table below reflects the current ingredients.
Here are the ingredients in the first proprietary blend. Read the table from left to right. This will tell you which ingredient is present most and least.
| Blue green algae (spirulina) | Parsley | Barley grass |
| Spinach | Clorela | Alfalfa extract (aerials) |
| Matcha green tea | Watercress | Rosemary leaf |
| Plantain leaf | Dandelion leaf | Lemon grass |
| green tea leaf extract | Dulse |
Previously, The Greens Blend contained soy lecithin and soy protein isolate. In the new version, these ingredients were removed. Spirulina was in the previous ingredients list, too, and remains in the product's current version.
Spirulina Pacifica
This is a type of blue-green algae. Blue-green algae contain some protein. Since this is the 3rd ingredient listed in this proprietary blend, my guess is a good amount of the 2231 mg is composed of spirulina.
Eleuthero Root
Also called Siberian Ginseng, this ingredient has been removed from the proprietary blend. It's now present in the Whole Foods Blend below. See below for more information.
Bacillus Coagulans (no longer in the product)
This is a probiotic bacteria. It Works Greens contains a trademarked version called LactoSpore
Astragalus Root Extract (no longer in the product)
The scientific name is Astragalus membranaceus. There are many extracts in the root of this plant. The company does not tell what extract of Astragalus is in the supplement. That said, there have been some studies noting that extracts of astragalus can improve various aspects of the immune system.
Much of the research involves exposing cells to astragalus extracts rather than giving the herb to people.
Green Tea
They don’t tell us what extract of green tea It Works Greens contains. Is it the caffeine? Is it Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG)?
Ginkgo Biloba Leaf Extract (no longer in the product)
This herb is often used because of its reputation to help memory although several studies have noted it does not help memory.
Aloe Vera Gel (no longer in the product)
This is the last ingredient present in this proprietary blend. As such, it is present in the lowest amount. There has been some research that aloe vera might reduce blood sugar levels.
Whole Food Proprietary Blend (1,475mg)
Here are the ingredients in the Whole Food Proprietary blend of It Works Greens. One serving of this blend provides a total of 1475mg of all these ingredients. Since pea fiber is first on the list, this blend contains mostly pea fiber Read the table from left to right to see which is present the most and the least.
| Pea fiber | Apple fiber | Eleuthero root extract |
| apple | carrot | Tomato juice |
| orange juice | Blueberry | Rosehips |
| Amla | Kale | Kale |
| Plum | Ginger | Pineapple juice |
| Cauliflower | Brocolli | Grape juice |
| grapefruit juice | white willow | Onion |
| Papaya juice | Peach | Pear juice |
| Brussels sprouts | Lemon juice | Raspberry juice |
| Strawaberry juice | Pumpkin | Black currant |
| Goji (Lycium barbarum) | Sunflower lecithin | Astragalus root extract |
| Turmeric | Meadowsweet herb (aerial parts) | Black berry fruit |
| Acerola | Billberry fruit extract | Cranberry |
There are 28 ingredients in this blend of ingredients. Here are some of the more exotic and interesting ingredients.
Eleuthero Root Extract
Eleuthero is also called Siberian ginseng. There are many different compounds in Siberian ginseng.
One investigation noted that Siberian ginseng did not raise testosterone nor did it have any positive effects on the immune systems of people.
Goldenseal (no longer in the product)
Goldenseal is also known as Hydrastis Canadensis. In the past, people used to think goldenseal would help them pass drug tests. The idea was that goldenseal would mask illegal drugs from being detected in urinalysis tests. For the record, it doesn't do this.
One of the compounds in goldenseal is berberine . There is some evidence berberine may help the immune system work better. In one investigation, both Goldenseal and Astragalus (which is also in Greens) seemed to stimulate some immune system cells.
White Willow Bark
It's now called just “white willow” in the ingredients. White willow bark contains compounds that appear to “look like” aspirin and because of this, it may also be in arthritis supplements.
Pau d'arco Bark (no longer in the product)
The scientific name is Handroanthus impetiginosus. This is the bark of a tree that grows in South America and Florida. At the same time, some of the ingredients in Pau d'arco bark may have antibiotic effects. Pau d'arco bark was looked at as a possible cancer treatment in the 1960s until it was found that the amount that might help, overlapped with the amount that might cause internal bleeding. Granted, this effect was seen in amounts much more than is in this product.
My personal opinion is I wish they would remove Pau d'arco bark from this product. Update. It has been removed.
Tumeric
Turmeric is now in It Works Greens. This spice has a lot of health benefits. Unfortunately, turmeric is listed toward the bottom of the list so there might not be much in the product.
Amla
Another name for Amla is Indian gooseberry. It's very popular in Ayurvedic medicine for many reasons. It's sometimes touted to grow hair and restore hair's natural color but I doubt if that's why it's used here.
It Works Greens Questions (FAQ)
1 Is It Gluten-Free?
The promotional material I have states that Greens contain a small amount of gluten. According to the FDA, to be called “gluten-free,” products must have less than 20 parts per million (ppm) of gluten. Since I don't see “gluten-free” on the label, I'll assume it has more than that amount.
2 Does It Contain Soy?
Not anymore. Soy lecithin and soy protein isolate have been removed.
3 Are The Ingredients GMO?
No, It Works Greens contain only non-genetically modified ingredients. Even the soy is non-GMO. For those wanting to limit their exposure to genetically modified foods, this is a good thing.
4 Can Kids Use Greens?
The Greens supplement is for adults only. The It Works company says not to give this product to kids.
5. It Works Greens vs. Organifi Greens
The Organifi company has been gaining popularity with its green juice powdered supplement. Unfortunately, there are no clinical studies comparing Greens to Organifi.
Does Greens Only Contain Greens?
From the list of ingredients in the proprietary blends, the supplement contains more than just fruits and vegetables. Yes, there is broccoli, spinach and kale, but it also has white willow bark and Siberian ginseng, and other things I doubt are in most people's kitchens. I mention this not to slam the supplement but just to point this out in case you thought this might be a vegetable supplement.
Does It Works Greens Alkalize The Body?
The idea of being more alkaline as a way to promote health has been around for a long time. Acid foods – such as meats and grains- are said to be bad, while eating more alkaline foods – like fruits and vegetables – are said to be good for us. The amount of alkalinity (or acidity) is measured by the pH. The pH scale runs from 0 to 14. A pH of 1 is very acidic, while a pH of 14 is very alkaline.
A neutral pH (neither too acid nor too alkaline) is 7.0.
Here’s the thing: the pH of our blood is about 7.35 to 7.45. In other words, the pH of healthy human blood is normally slightly alkaline.
So whether it alkalizes the body or not, know that your blood pH is always slightly alkaline.
It Works Greens Side Effects
The supplement is probably safe in most people. For those, not healthy here are some considerations. This list is not complete.
- Start with less than suggested for the first week
- Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- The company says to not give the supplement to kids
- Stop taking at least 2 weeks before having surgery.
- If you take any medications, speak to your doctor first.
Does It Works Greens Work?
There's no clinical evidence the supplement can “alkalize the body.” While you could use it as a “supplement” to eating food, it should not be used in place of fruits and vegetables. If you are healthy and the product starts you on the road to eating more fruits and vegetables, then I’d say that is a step in the right direction. If you are already eating this way, it's up to you whether you need it or not.
I have not read through all the comments to see if this has been mentioned, but as far as gluten goes… as a person with Celiac Disease, Barley Malt is specifically a gluten containing ingredient and is an automatic red flag for anyone watching for gluten. That being said… I am a loyal customer with It Works and so far I can’t really complain, I just don’t buy the greens 🙂
I loved this review – I was searching the internet for someone who might have done a comparison for me (Because, while I have questions, I don’t always have time nor will to answer said questions myself – in fact, I’m horrible for it and google saves my life thanks to people like you.)… I will try not to talk too much, but do want to ask you your thoughts on the following:
1.) Have you heard of Vegegreens? (Progressive) I used to use this before I ever heard of the It Works stuff – and honestly, I never used it often enough to pay attention to the outcome. But I trusted what I had googled/heard about it and the ingredients list looks quite impressive, as there is quite a large dose of ‘good stuff’ as it were.
Greens and Vegegreens looks similar, but I don’t always understand what’s good and how much is good, etc – so I can’t be sure if the fact that Vegegreens delivers more mg per ingredient is a good thing, or if perhaps it’s better to have these doses in small amounts over time (for certain things).
2.) *And this is the real thing that’s been bothering me.. If you read the label of It Works Greens, it says ‘Consult health care practitioner for use beyond one year’ …. I thought at first that perhaps this was simply because, if by then you aren’t eating REAL fruits and veggies and getting your nutrients from real good, that perhaps you should just check on your health anyway… But is there more to it than that?
… I am someone who’s been struggling with my weight, and food choices since before I could remember. And I really do try to be healthy, as possible; but in the hustle and bustle of the world it’s hard for me to make the salad to eat when I could just pour a bowl of cheerios.
I’m a product of convenience, and these powdered form nutrients are exactly that. So while I want to appreciate them for what they are, I feel like there are so many selling points out there, aimed at people like me who are just wanting to reach for the quick thing. And I don’t have money to waste on their scams anymore…
Hi Steph, so glad you found my little review helpful! I didn’t notice that part in the It Works Greens where it said “Consult health care practitioner for use beyond one year” Im not sure why they said that. Can any It Works ambassadors answer this for Steph?
I’ve not heard of Vegegreens. I did glance at its ingredients. I has a lot of stuff to be sure but I’m not convinced we need all of those things (ex. siberian ginseng, green tea, green tea, hawthorn berry etc). Can you make a smoothie? If you have a blender, you can make a very healthy smoothie and it will cost less. It only takes about 5 minutes too.
Here is a smoothie recipe I often make. The advantage here is you know whats in it and youre also getting lots of fiber, which many of us dont get enough of.
Steph, if you have any other questions, just ask 🙂
My jar of ItWorks Greens doesn’t say to consult practitioner for use beyond year, but it does say to consult physician if pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.
The idea that we can alkalize out bodies is nothing more than a sales pitch, along with the whole “detox” fad. Your body does a great job of maintaining proper pH as well as eliminating “toxins”.
I have had frequent kidney problems (infections and stones) off and on for several years, as well as continuous L sided kidney pain during that time span. I ordered greens when I became a distributor and have been kidney pain and problem free begin week two of taking the product to current. May be different for others, as everyone is different, but I will never go without them that’s for sure!
I would just like to thank you for your research on all of the ingredients listed in this product and listing all of the pros and cons. I
Tammy
Hi Tammy, you are very welcome 🙂
I love the _Greens and the Hair Skin and Nails vitamins_!! Both I’ve used for about 3 months now, and will continue to do so as I’ve seen great results thus far.
Can’t vouch for the wraps personally, but similar products that also produce even temporary results have been on the market for years, so I guess to each their own if they’re happy with it.
My understanding with the wraps is that it’s for toning, not weight loss. Obviously this alone wouldn’t create miracles, so realistically I wouldn’t expect much without maintaining a proper diet and getting regular exercise as well.
As far as the Fat Fighter goes, I believe that it’s supposed to aide with cheat meals and such. I’ve not seen anyone saying it provides miracle weight loss, but again, maintaining a healthy diet in addition to regular exercise are factors in daily life also. There’s no miracle pill for weight loss while maintaining a poor lifestyle. While I found this to be a decent read, and appreciate the insight, I don’t really see anything providing refuted facts. I do love what I’ve personally tried so far though, and the company itself seems to be pretty successful so I think they’re doing something right.
I get the claims that are made, but I can only speak of my own experience. I have ingested Greens – Berry for about 5 weeks, now. The changes I have noticed are: decreased appetite. Also, I don’t have any cravings for complete junk like chips or ice cream. I feel like my body is running well (I suffer with a lot of conditions. Believe it or not, my system running right is a miracle) for the first 14 hours after taking it.
I was in ketosis for 3 of those weeks, so I don’t think it’s fair of me to test my alkalinity yet. I will in about a month, and I’ll at least be able to say whether it has altered the alkalinity or acidity of my saliva. That will still tell us next to nothing, but if I can start eating tomatoes and pineapples again without getting a tastebud or two blown out, I’ll be thrilled!
Apparently this products contains lead. The website doesn’t tell you until you are checking out and even then it’s not obvious.
Feeling iffy, I wonder if they have to do that because of the California law? Ive seen labels for this on some products. I think they have to if the product is sold in California? For example, when I was at CVS, I noticed the weight loss shake endorsed by Jennifer Lopez also mentions lead.
California law is exactly why they have to state that.
Thanks Beth.
One thing I can definitely say about the greens, is that they help with seasonal allergies. When I take them, my sinuses are not bad.
Hello Joe
I have used it works greens for about 6 months on and off (because of cost) and I have to say, I LOVE it! I have not had any bad side effects, my bowels have been in great working condition, and I feel great. I started it to feel healthier and keep up with my baby and not as a weight loss supplement. I do not really buy into weight loss pills.
I do notice I feel sluggish when I don’t use it! I am not sure if it’s all in my mind, but it’s been great for me!
Hi Sabina, I’m glad you are feeling benefits from them with no side effects. Glad your baby is keeping you busy too 🙂
Interesting enough my grandma was recently taken off of her gout medicine because her levels were back to normal a month and a half after she began drinking green . I will be honest and say I don’t know a lot about gout but do know it has to do with the acidity in the body.
Hi Jennifer, While Im not sure if it was the greens, I’ll just be glad your grandma is feeling better. At the end of the day, that is what is most important 🙂
Hello Joe ~ what powdered drinks do you recommend for getting maximum antioxidant and nutritional benefits of fruits and vegetables? Thank you.
Hi Calvin, I recommend eating fruits and vegetables, or putting them in a blender and drinking them. I know that might seem like a cop out but since you mentioned the foods I thought Id toss it in. Here is my smoothie recipe to get you started.
USED GREENS (berry flavor) FOR THE FIRST TIME YESTERDAY AND I GOT AN ALLERGIC REACTION TO IT. MY UPPER LIP BECAME SWOLLEN AND RED, HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD A SIDE EFFECT
I have used the Greens in berry and not experienced an allergic reaction but wondered if I would when I saw the goldenseal as that is a pretty well known allergen…I actually really like the greens and feel energized after drinking them.
Day 3 of The Greens and It Works Regular. my neck turned blue on both sides?? Kinda scary. Could see my veins popping out. No itching and I was still breathing okay. But was afraid to keep taking it. I do have seasonal allergies and not sure that I want to stop breathing in my sleep. I was so excited about trying this product too. 🙁
Thank you Joe for all the information about the Greens. I’ve read that the way the body maintains a healthy pH level is by leeching minerals out of the bones when the body starts becoming too acidic. If it’s true, Greens can give alkalinity when needed, without the bones losing minerals.
Hi Carol, you are very welcome. While calcium can be used to help maintain pH, I think its more complicated than that. I say this because people used to say high protein diets leech calcium from bones (to maintain pH) and that they caused osteoporosis. But, reserch now shows that people who eat more protein actually have stronger bones.
I was browsing looking for some sort of review on these from someone who was not offered a free trial of it for their “honest opinion”. Found this article to be very helpful thank you.
Melisa, you are very welcome. Thanks for stopping by 🙂
He’s a distributor because he believes in the products too! But I’m washing my hands. I know what the company and products offer. One of the best out there. They are not hiding anything. Nothing is perfect in this world….always going to be haters & naysayers. All the best to you.
Kerry, I didn’t say they are hiding anything. I just like to see clinical studies which this lets distributors like you better help your customers. I think you deserve this.
All the best to you as well kerry.
Here’s a link to one of many for Dr. Don. Do a search on Dr Don It Works & you’ll see many more links & information about him & his involvement with It Works products.
It works.com also supplies a history behind the company as well as how Dr. Don came on board.
http://www.drdonmd.com/index.htm
Kerry, It looks like Dr Don an It works distributor. That’s fine but endorsements from MDs, Nurses etc. doesn’t take the place of published clinical studies.
I am an It Works Distributor and I agree with Julie in the previous message. If we are able to gather as much info as possible and sift through the good, bad and ugly, I am sure we are all capable of coming to a sound resolution.
Let’s face it… look at the industry today! Saturated with do this, take that, gotta try this because….. Yes, a healthy lifestyle begins at home and if we can educate our selves for our own peace of mind and give the best we can to our children, then we are doing our job.
The greens with It Works are tasty, easy to use and effective. Restored energy, skin improvements and of course the effectiveness of fruits and vegetables. The greens on the go are a great way of getting your kids to take to school in their lunch bags and add to water… shake and there you go!
At least it’s not pop, or high fruit juice! Enjoy the products for what they are, they are green and in the end, work! If I can help further please contact me anytime.
Hi Heather, that’s an interesting point. may I ask, if your job as a distributor, as you say, is to gather as much info as possible and sift through the good bad and ugly, dont you also believe the It Works company should do the same thing by helping you – by doing clinical studies on its products? That would help you and other distributors a lot and make your jobs easier. Just something that occurred to me. Don’t you agree that makes sense too?
Hello!
I am an It Works distributor. There is a site called my product coach that will tell you information on the Greens as well as all other It Works products. It does list out grams of sugar as well as other info you touched on here.
Never is it claimed that using this product or any other of these products will solely give you this or that result. It’s a combination of all kinds of things: wellness, fitness, healthy choices, so by adding in these products you will reap the benefits that most bodies probably are lacking. It’s just like anything else in this world, it’s the union of many things for the positive outcome of the whole.
I am partial of course but I have used this when I became a customer first and have used them since (2 years) and have found great results including better skin, more energy–overall feel better using these along with a healthy lifestyle.
I also can honestly say that they have helped keep me from getting sick in a family of 4 kids and germs coming & going or have helped lessen cold symptoms –with onset of feeling one coming on, I drink the Greens and I don’t get any worse. Honest truth.
Not the case before these.
In the end, the good outweighs the bad.
In a world of deceptive business practices, not knowing what is true or false and the almighty dollar ruling, I am confident that It Works is not in this for any reason other than wanting to share health and wellness with as many people that want it.
I have witnessed it in how they treat each of us.
Just my two cents.
Kerry, thanks for sharing. I’m glad you are finding benefits from the products.
I relation to your question below to Julie. It appears she does work for It Works.
oh really. I wasn’t aware of that. Thanks Trevor.
Pyramid scam. I was distrbuter for same type of company. lost my shirt. if you’re not high level sales your wasting your time. sorry to the people involved. I don’t mean to hurt you. I am sick and tired of these company’s telling people not only will be healthy but you can quit your jobs and be distributer and all is good.
Hope I saved some one money