You’ve seen the green sludge. It’s everywhere. Social media influencers are stirring it into glass jars with aesthetic gold spoons, claiming it changed their lives, fixed their bloat, and gave them the energy of a caffeinated squirrel. Live It Up powder (the brand formerly known as Enroot or Beyond Greens) is one of the biggest names in this "superfood" space right now. But honestly, most of the talk around it is either sponsored fluff or cynical hate.
I’m tired of the fluff.
Let's get into what is actually inside that bag. Most people buy these powders because they hate eating broccoli. It’s a shortcut. But not all shortcuts actually get you to the destination. If you're looking at Live It Up powder, you're likely trying to decide if it's a legitimate nutritional insurance policy or just really expensive pond water.
What Is Live It Up Powder, Really?
It's a greens powder. Obviously. But more specifically, it’s a non-GMO, vegan, and soy-free blend designed to bridge the gap between your actual diet and the "ideal" diet your doctor keeps nagging you about.
The company rebranded from "Enroot" a while back, which caused some confusion for a minute. They basically tightened up their image. They focus heavily on being "pure," which in the supplement world usually means they aren't stuffing the bag with maltodextrin or artificial sweeteners like sucralose. They use monk fruit for sweetness. If you’ve ever tasted a greens powder that tasted like grass-clippings-flavored candy, you know why the sweetener choice matters. Monk fruit is generally easier on the gut than stevia for a lot of people.
The Ingredient Breakdown (No Fluff)
There are a lot of ingredients here. Like, a lot. But the heavy hitters are what you’re actually paying for.
Organic Spirulina and Chlorella: These are the "sea greens." They are incredibly nutrient-dense. Chlorella is particularly interesting because it’s known for binding to heavy metals to help the body detox, though the "detox" buzzword is often overblown by marketing teams. It’s mostly just really good for your blood.
Digestive Enzymes and Probiotics: This is where most people notice a difference. Live It Up includes Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus acidophilus. If those sound like Latin spells, they’re just the "good" bacteria. They also toss in enzymes like amylase and bromelain. Bromelain comes from pineapples. It helps break down proteins. If you feel less bloated after drinking this, it’s likely the bromelain and the 5 billion CFUs of probiotics doing the heavy lifting, not some magical leaf.
Adaptogens: They use Ashwagandha. This is the trendy root everyone is obsessed with for stress. Does it work in a powder? Yes, but dosage matters. Most studies on Ashwagandha that show real cortisol reduction use doses between 300mg to 600mg.
The "Proprietary Blend" Problem
Here is the thing. Like many companies in this space (looking at you, Athletic Greens), Live It Up uses a proprietary blend.
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This is frustrating.
It means they tell you what is in it, but not how much of each specific thing. We know the total weight of the "Superfood Complex" is about 5 grams per serving. Is that 4.9 grams of cheap spinach and 0.1 grams of the expensive stuff? We don't know for sure. This is a common industry practice to protect "trade secrets," but for the consumer, it makes it hard to compare apples to apples.
However, they do prioritize organic ingredients. That's a win. If you’re drinking concentrated plants, you really don’t want those plants to be concentrated pesticides.
How Does It Actually Taste?
Kinda minty.
Actually, it’s very minty. Unlike some other brands that try to hide the "green" flavor with a fake berry or chocolate profile, Live It Up leans into a thin, refreshing peppermint vibe. It’s not thick. It doesn't have that gritty, sand-at-the-bottom-of-the-ocean texture that makes you want to gag. If you mix it with ice-cold water, it’s genuinely drinkable. If you mix it with lukewarm water, well, you’re a braver soul than I am.
The Science vs. The Hype
Let's talk about the "all-natural" claim. The term "natural" isn't regulated by the FDA in the way we think it is. But Live It Up does go through third-party testing. This is huge.
When a supplement brand pays an outside lab to verify that what’s on the label is actually in the bag—and that there’s no lead or arsenic lurking in there—that’s a massive trust signal. In a world where some "health" supplements have been found to contain nothing but powdered rice and houseplants, third-party testing is the gold standard.
Does it replace whole vegetables?
No. Never.
You need fiber. The physical act of chewing and digesting whole vegetables does things for your satiety and gut motility that a liquid drink just can't replicate. Live It Up powder has about 2 grams of fiber per serving. A single pear has about 6 grams. You do the math. Think of this as a "multivitamin plus." It’s a way to get micronutrients and enzymes, but it’s not an excuse to live on pizza and powder.
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Who Should Actually Buy This?
If you are a frequent traveler, this stuff is a lifesaver. Trying to find a salad in an airport is a nightmare. Dumping a scoop of Live It Up into a water bottle while you're at the gate is a solid way to keep your digestion from completely stalling out during a trip.
It’s also great for people with "vegetable fatigue." You know that feeling where you just can't look at another head of steamed broccoli? This helps.
On the flip side, if you are already eating three cups of leafy greens a day and your digestion is perfect, you’re probably just peeing out the extra nutrients. Your body can only absorb so much.
Comparing Costs
It's not cheap. But it's cheaper than its main competitor, AG1.
Usually, you’re looking at around $1.33 to $1.50 per serving if you subscribe. Compared to a $9 green juice from a fancy cafe, it’s a bargain. Compared to a bag of spinach from the grocery store, it’s a luxury.
Surprising Details Most People Miss
One thing I noticed is the absence of "fillers." A lot of brands use "grasses" like wheatgrass or barley grass as 80% of their formula because it's cheap bulk. Live It Up seems to have a more balanced ratio of actual vegetables (like kale and ginger) and algae.
Also, the addition of ginger and burdock root is a nice touch for inflammation. Burdock root isn't something you see in every blend, but it’s been used in traditional medicine for centuries as a "blood purifier." While the science is still catching up on the "purifying" part, we know it's rich in antioxidants like quercetin and phenolic acids.
The Reality of the "Energy Boost"
The marketing says you’ll feel a "surge of energy."
Don't expect a caffeine high. There is no caffeine in this. The energy boost people feel is usually just their body finally getting the B-vitamins or magnesium it was starved for. If you’re already nutritionally sound, you might not feel a "bolt of lightning." You might just feel... normal. And honestly, "normal" is underrated these days.
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How to Get the Most Out of It
Don't just stir it with a spoon. It’ll clump.
Use a small handheld frother or a shaker bottle. And for the love of all things holy, drink it fast. Greens powders aren't meant to be sipped like a fine wine over an hour. The longer it sits, the more it settles.
If you hate the taste, try mixing it with coconut water instead of plain water. The natural electrolytes and slight sweetness of the coconut water mask the "earthiness" of the greens perfectly.
Common Side Effects
Some people get a bit... gassy... the first few days.
This is normal. You're suddenly introducing a massive hit of probiotics and enzymes to a gut that might not be used to them. It usually settles down after 72 hours. If it doesn't, you might be sensitive to one of the specific ingredients like the monk fruit or the bromelain.
Actionable Steps for New Users
Before you hit "buy" on a subscription, do these three things:
- Check your current multivitamin: If you’re already taking a high-quality multi, you might be doubling up on certain nutrients. It’s not necessarily dangerous, but it’s a waste of money.
- Commit to 30 days: Supplements aren't magic pills. You won't know if the probiotics are actually helping your bloat until you’ve used them consistently for at least three weeks.
- Audit your fiber: Use this as a supplement, not a replacement. Make sure you’re still eating at least one or two "crunchy" vegetables a day to keep your jaw and your colon working correctly.
Live It Up is a solid product in a crowded market. It’s cleaner than most and tastes better than many. Just keep your expectations grounded in reality. It’s a tool, not a miracle.
If you're ready to try it, start with a single bag rather than a massive subscription. See how your stomach reacts to the peppermint and the probiotic blend first. Most people find the mint refreshing, but if you’re a "fruit flavor only" person, you might find it jarring. Once you know you like it, the subscription is where the actual savings are. Mix it cold, drink it fast, and keep eating your actual veggies.