As the basis of your health, your gut is a very important part of the body. You’ve probably heard about the use of probiotics and prebiotics to help improve your gut microbiome, but did you know that there is something called a synbiotic? Synbiotics are products that contain a blend of both prebiotics and probiotics. By increasing the amount of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract, this can support your gut, immune system, cardiovascular system and so much more.
I want to compare two synbiotic products in this article. Let’s take an in-depth look at Ritual Synbiotic vs. Athletic Greens. Comparing two products takes into consideration formulas, price, benefits and how they are taken. We’ll look at all the details. But first, I present The Hot Takes!
The Hot Takes of AG1 vs Ritual Synbiotic+
Vs. | Ritual Synbiotic+ | AG1 |
|---|---|---|
Formula: | Prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics | Prebiotic and probiotics, greens powder |
Bloat support: | ||
Greens, vitamins, and minerals: | ||
Form: | Capsule, mint essenced | Greens powder mix |
Boosts gut health: | ||
Backed by scientific advisory board: | ||
Price: | $54 (coupon code TAMI-10 will save you additional 10% off) | $99 |
Shipping: | Free shipping | Over $9 shipping cost |
About Ritual Synbiotic+
Synbiotic+ by the Ritual brand is a gut health supplement that is comprised of prebiotics, probiotics and even a postbiotic. Its formulation focuses on providing your body with gut support, in addition to a better immune response and increased energy. You may even experience fewer episodes of flatulence, bloating and constipation when you’re regularly using Synbiotic+.
The prebiotic included in Ritual’s Synbiotic supplement acts as a source of food to the beneficial bacteria that you’re adding into your gut by way of the strains LGG and BB-12. The postbiotic in Synbiotic+ aids in the healthy production of butyrate, which is the main fuel for cells that live in your gut. It’s essential for our intestines and colon.
Pros
- Convenient capsule design
- Can be taken over long periods of time
- Comprised of two highly-studied strains of bacteria
- No nasty aftertaste thanks to an added mint essence
- Contains 11 billion CFUs
Cons
- There can be a bit of an adjustment period when you start taking Ritual Synbiotic+. Symptoms are usually quite mild and include a bit of gas and bloating. These symptoms should subside pretty quickly.
Read full review of Ritual Synbiotic+
Use code TAMI-10 for additional savings!
About Athletic Greens
Athletic Greens is a greens powder that was created by Chris Ashenden back in 2009. After dealing with gut problems for much of his life, Ashenden wanted to take a new approach to GI health. This supplement is designed to provide your body with essential nutrients by way of whole foods, but it is formulated in a way that’s really easy to digest. It also contains probiotics and digestive enzymes.
Used by both children and adults, Athletic Greens comes in powder form. It mixes easily into any liquid of your choosing. In just minutes, you can deliver 75 different nutrients and super foods to your body. It even contains functional mushrooms, herbs and antioxidants.
Pros
- It’s a little bit expensive of a product, but you have the option to subscribe to save on regular shipments.
- Athletic Greens comes in convenient travel packs for on-the-go use.
- The AG1 formula contains more than 75 different ingredients.
- No artificial ingredients are included.
- Free from many of the major allergens.
Cons
- Athletic Greens has a bit of a unique flavor. It’s very earthy, with a hint of vanilla, pineapple and ginger.
Comparing Formulas
There are many different strains of probiotics that can be added to a health supplement. A whole slew of nutrients can also be included, as well as herbs. Let’s look at a breakdown of what’s inside Ritual Synbiotic+ and Athletic Greens.
Ritual Synbiotic
Ritual Synbiotic is a three-in-one formula that contains prebiotics, probiotics and a postbiotic. Working together, these ingredients provide you with optimal gut support. From a probiotic perspective, Synbiotic+ contains 11 billion CFUs from two of the most clinically studied strains of bacteria. Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium animalis lactis are beneficial for gut health, immune support, energy, a healthy metabolism and so much more.
The prebiotic portion of Synbiotic+ consists of LH01 - Myoviridae, LL5 - Siphoviridae, T4D – Myoviridae and LL12 – Myoviridae. Combined, these ingredients make up Ritual’s proprietary PreforPro. By feeding the beneficial probiotic bacteria that you have added to your gut, you’ll see a more balanced microbiome that supports whole body health. Also, tributyrin has been added at 300 milligrams per dose.
AG1
There are 75 different ingredients in Athletic Greens that provide a diverse nutritional profile that includes essentials such vitamins A, C, E, B12, biotin and folate. This comes from organic spirulina, apple powder, inulin, organic wheat grass, alfalfa powder, pea protein isolate, rosemary leaf, milk thistle extract, hawthorn, dandelion, organic chlorella, digestive enzymes, probiotics and a blend of functional mushrooms.
Comparing the Costs
My job as a nutritionist has made me appreciate the quality of foods and supplements that I put into my body. I believe in investing in your health, and that often means splurging a bit on certain products that you want to take on a regular basis. I understand that there are a lot of people who are on a strict budget, and it comes down to finding a brand that provides exceptional ingredients and value at an affordable price point. Let’s compare the cost of Ritual Synbiotic vs. Athletic Greens.
Ritual Synbiotic
Currently, Ritual Synbiotic+ is priced at $54. I have to mention, this price has dropped in the $35 range in the past few months. It seems Ritual will discount their products on occasion. Unfortunately, there isn’t any kind of discount offered when you purchase multiple bottles of product, which is something a lot of brands are choosing to provide these days. You should take into account everything that you get from Ritual’s Synbiotic+ product. Each serving includes prebiotics, probiotics and post-biotics in an single easy-to-swallow capsule.
AG1
Athletic Greens currently costs $99 for a 30-day supply of product. This is a company that offers a discount if you sign up for a subscription. This drops the cost down to $79 per order. Your subscription also secures you a free starter kit and five starter packs. You can sign up for a double subscription, which retails at $149. This includes all the extras that are part of the free starter kit in addition to vitamin D and K supplements.
Comparing How You Take Them (Capsules vs. Greens Powder Mix) and Absorption Effectiveness
The method of consuming your supplement may contribute to your decision of what to buy. Some people like convenience and pre-measured doses, while others appreciate the control that they have with a powdered supplement. Let’s take a look at how you take these two products and how that affects the absorption rate.
Ritual Synbiotic
Ritual Synbiotic+ comes in capsule form and is vegan friendly. The recommended serving size is one capsule, and that should be repeated on a daily basis. The outside capsule design has a stomach acid-resistant concept. That means the product won’t break down prematurely in your stomach. This should ensure that all of those beneficial ingredients survive until they hit the most optimal location. There is also an inner capsule that will break down at the right time as well, once it has arrived in the colon.
AG1
Athletic Greens comes as a powdered supplement. One scoop of product contains 12 grams of powder, and you simply mix that into eight ounces of water. It should blend pretty easily, but some people choose to use a frother to really enhance the blending. Because of the powder design, all of the nutrients in Athletic Greens will be quickly absorbed in the body. It’s much easier to digest than a capsule.
Main Differences between Athletic Greens and Ritual Synbiotic+
There are a few key differences between Athletic Greens and Ritual Synbiotic+. For example, AG1 comes in a powder, while Ritual has designed their product to be a delayed release capsule. I think that both designs are beneficial. You want AG1 to absorb quickly into the body because of all the nutrients that are in each dose. Whereas the pre-, pro- and post-biotics in Ritual’s product shouldn’t really be absorbed into the body until later on when they hit the intestines and colon.
Also, the ingredient lists for both products are rather different. Athletic Greens really takes the approach of adding more nutrients and beneficial ingredients into your daily dietary intake. Ritual’s product is designed to improve your gut health, addressing the bacteria that are living in your gut.
The price points for Athletic Greens vs. Ritual Synbiotic+ are pretty different as well. You’re looking at a cost of about $100 per month for AG’s product. The cost of Ritual’s product is substantially less, costing you about half the price of AG1.
Which is Better: Ritual or Athletic Greens?
As a nutritionist, I have to say that both of these products are excellent. I’ve had many clients who have used them, with fantastic results. Deciding which option you want to try will be determined by what you’re trying to accomplish. If you’re very interested in improving your gut health, then I would consider Ritual Synbiotic+ the best selection. Athletic Greens can improve your gut health as well, but there are a lot of added nutrients, herbs and adaptogens included as well. This is the more optimal product if you’re concerned with any potential nutritional gaps in your diet or want to support your entire body from a nutritional aspect. I consider it to be somewhat of a multivitamin in some regards.
My Final Words
I care a lot about the quality of products that I put into my body, and the products that I recommend to my nutrition clients. I think that both Athletic Greens and Ritual put an impressive amount of research into the products that they create and manufacture. I love both Ritual Synbiotic+ as well as AG1. They are both highly bioavailable, they incorporate natural and beneficial ingredients into their design and testing is used to confirm their safety and integrity.
A lot of health issues can be caused by a deficiency in certain nutrients or components that should otherwise be in the body. Replacing these things can help you feel your best. If you’re prone to GI issues like bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, reflux or nutritional deficiencies, then it’s a good idea to consider supporting a more diverse and healthy gut microbiome in your body. This can be done with the ingredients in both of these products, and there are other supplemental options available as well. By giving the body what it needs to perform, your health and wellbeing will thrive.
Combine Your Supplement with a Healthy Diet to Make It Work!
In addition to taking a high-quality supplement such as the two options that we discussed in this article, a healthy diet is a fantastic complement. In fact, it should be a priority. Some specifics you should consider regarding your diet includes:
- Incorporating as many fruits and vegetables into your diet as possible.
- Consuming lean protein
- Limit your intake of refined sugars.
- Stick with whole grains instead of refined carbohydrates.
- Stay hydrated, using electrolytes to balance necessary minerals in the body.