Reds Superfood Powder: Polyphenols, Reds vs. Greens and How to Choose
Greens powders have been popular for years. Now reds powders are catching up: daily drink mixes made from red and purple fruits, berries and vegetables. But what is actually in them, what are polyphenols, and how do reds compare to greens? This guide explains it.
What Is a Reds Powder?
A reds powder is a drink mix made from dried red and purple plant foods, such as beets, berries, pomegranate, hibiscus and grapes. You stir a scoop into water or a smoothie. Many people use it as an easy way to add more variety from colorful plant foods to their day.
What Are Polyphenols?
Polyphenols are a large group of natural plant compounds. Many of them give fruits and vegetables their color, taste and bitterness. Red, purple and blue foods are especially rich in a group of polyphenols called anthocyanins, the pigments behind the deep color of blueberries, black currants and red grapes.
Dietary guidelines consistently recommend eating a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. A reds powder is not a replacement for that, but it can be a convenient addition.
Common Reds Ingredients
- Beet root, naturally rich in nitrates, popular with athletes
- Berries such as strawberry, raspberry, blueberry, cranberry and black currant
- Acai, a purple palm fruit from the Amazon
- Pomegranate and grape seed extract
- Hibiscus, which gives a tart, fruity taste and deep red color
Reds vs. Greens
- Greens powders are based on leafy greens, grasses and algae such as spinach, wheatgrass, spirulina and chlorella. They often taste grassy.
- Reds powders are based on fruits, berries and red vegetables. They usually taste fruity and are easier to drink.
They do not compete. Both add different plant foods, and many people alternate or combine them. For more on getting enough plant foods, read Why You're Not Getting Enough Fruits & Vegetables.
Extras: Fiber, Probiotics and Botanicals
Many modern reds powders add more than fruit:
- Fiber such as oat fiber and inulin
- Probiotics, often several strains
- Botanicals such as cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and green tea
Note: if green tea is included, the powder contains some natural caffeine.
How to Use a Reds Powder
Mix one scoop into 6 to 8 oz of cold water, sparkling water or a smoothie. Many people drink it in the morning. It also tastes good with ice.
Checklist Before You Buy
- How many mg of fruit and vegetable blend per scoop?
- Are the individual ingredients listed?
- How much sugar, and which sweetener?
- Does it contain caffeine from green tea?
- Are probiotics listed with strain names and CFU?
- Is it made in a GMP-certified facility?
Our Reds Powder
SUPPLI-X Reds Superfood combines a 2,000 mg polyphenol blend (beet root, strawberry, hibiscus, raspberry, black currant, acai, blueberry, cranberry, grape seed, African mango and pomegranate) with 700 mg oat fiber and inulin, a 9-strain probiotic with 3.2 billion CFU at manufacture, and a botanical blend with cinnamon, green tea, ginger, turmeric, shilajit, bitter melon and black pepper. 10 calories, sweetened with stevia, 30 servings, made in the USA in a facility GMP-certified by UL Solutions. Contains natural caffeine from green tea.
FAQ
What is a reds powder?
A drink mix made from dried red and purple fruits, berries and vegetables such as beets, berries, pomegranate and hibiscus.
What are polyphenols?
Natural plant compounds, many of which give fruits and vegetables their color. Red and purple foods are rich in anthocyanins.
Reds or greens powder: which is better?
They add different plant foods. Reds usually taste fruitier; greens are based on leafy greens and algae. Many people use both.
Does a reds powder replace fruits and vegetables?
No. It is a convenient addition, not a replacement for a varied diet.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Contains green tea (natural caffeine). If you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication or have a medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider before use.
