The Huel Daily Greens Formula Explained

Huel Daily Greens is a greens powder supplement made to boost nutrition in the diet with 91 vitamins, minerals and whole-food-sourced nutrients as well as protein, essential fats, fiber, phytonutrients, adaptogens, and probiotics. Each 15g serving is vegan, gluten-free, and contains less than 1g of sugar based on plant-proteins, greens, fruits, and mushroom powders with 27 essential vitamins and minerals.

Like all Huel products, our first-ever greens powder contains no lactose, soy, GMOs, or any animal products.

• Huel Daily Greens Macronutrients
• Plant-Based Protein and Raw Superfood Blend
• Organic Antioxidant Greens Blend
• Organic Superfruit Blend
• Super Mushroom Adaptogen Complex
• Botanical Blend
• Probiotics in Huel Daily Greens
• Vitamins and Minerals in Huel Daily Greens
• Ingredients & Nutritional Profile

Huel Daily Greens Macronutrients

The principal macronutrients that we obtain energy from food are carbohydrate, fat, protein, and fiber. Huel Daily Greens contains 6g net carbs, 1g fat, 3g protein, and 2g fiber per 50-calorie serving.

The protein in Huel Daily Greens comes from organic ingredients, primarily pea protein, mung bean protein, chlorella and spirulina as well as some from the organic oats, flaxseed, and chia. Amino acids are the most basic units of protein, and several amino acids are essential, with others being crucial for good health. There are also fatty acids that are essential for life and good health, so including sources of fat is equally important. Even though Huel Daily Greens has been formulated primarily to provide vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and adaptogens, we’ve ensured it contains all the essential amino acids and the essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

The fiber in Huel Daily Greens is a mixture of soluble and insoluble forms, and is provided mainly by organic pea fiber, flaxseed, oats, chlorella, spirulina, chia, and the organic greens and fruits blends.

Plant-Based Protein and Raw Superfood Blend

Huel Daily Greens Plant-Based Protein and Raw Superfood Blend provides protein, carbohydrate, essential fats, fiber and key vitamins and minerals.  Oat flour contains a special class of fiber called beta-glucans, which have been shown to have a favorable effect on cholesterol and blood glucose levels1, 2. The oats used in Huel Daily Greens are certified gluten-free. Tapioca is a starch extracted from cassava, a root vegetable, similar to sweet potato. Along with providing carbohydrates, the tapioca in Huel Daily Greens helps with mixability and provides a smoother texture.

Pea protein complements the other plant-based proteins to create a complete amino acid profile. It's high in important branched-chain amino acids such as leucine, which plays a key role in muscle protein synthesis3, and has a lower allergenic risk versus other protein sources such as soy and whey. Organic mung bean protein is high in phenolic acid and flavonoids (which are antioxidants) and the processing of this ingredient also reduces its antinutritional properties, such as phytic acid, thereby allowing improved absorption of key minerals, such as iron and zinc4, 5.

Organic flaxseed and chia seeds both contain high levels of essential omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, which have been demonstrated to have a positive effect on heart health and other parts of the body such as the gut6, 7. Organic sprouted quinoa is grown in a nutrient-rich medium meaning it's even higher than quinoa seeds in several b-vitamins, particularly vitamin B12 which is extremely rare in plant-based foods.

Organic Antioxidant Greens Blend

Chlorella is the collective name for several species of green algae. These algae are a source of key micronutrients including B-vitamins, vitamin E, choline, phosphorus, and iron, as well as essential fatty acids, amino acids, and fiber. 

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable high in fiber. It’s also high in glucosinolates, a group of phytonutrients with a range of properties from antioxidant to anti-inflammatory properties8. The nutrient profile of broccoli sprouts is more concentrated when compared to older broccoli, which is why we’ve included both in Huel Daily Greens.

Black garlic extract is made from raw garlic that has been exposed to low heat and humidity to alter its taste, color, and structure. It has been shown that its antioxidant components, including the polyphenol and flavonoids contents of black garlic, increase significantly with aging of the garlic9.

Organic Superfruit Blend

Organic tomatoes are rich in vitamin A and phytonutrients, one of particular interest is lycopene, which is the pigment that gives tomatoes their red color, and is an antioxidant that’s been linked to better cardiovascular health10.

Organic acerola cherries (aka Malpighia emarginata) are grown in Central and South America and are rivaled by few other fruits in respect of their high vitamin C content, and also contains several phytonutrients such as flavonoids. Organic tart cherries are distinct from their sweet cousins and have a brighter red color. They contain a number of phytonutrients which may reduce inflammation11.

One of the first popularized ‘superfoods’, blueberries have a high number of polyphenolic compounds and anthocyanins, and there’s growing research on the positive effects of including blueberries for good brain health12, 13. However, organic hawthorn flower could be considered an even older ‘superfood’ containing antioxidants that could be beneficial for the heart which may explain why in the Middle Ages it was taken for a broken heart (though we’re a little skeptical of this claim!). 

Super Mushroom Adaptogen Complex

The term ‘adaptogen’ was coined in the late 1950s by Soviet scientists to describe any substance that exerts positive effects on both sick and healthy individuals without producing unwanted side effects14. While we now know that’s not strictly true, the evidence base for adaptogens positive effects is growing and strengthening. 

One popular adaptogen is ashwagandha, a herb used in Indian medicine. Ashwagandha has been shown to reduce cortisol (a stress hormone), which may help to lower stress levels over time15, 16. Another adaptogen, rhodiola root extract, has been shown to reduce fatigue, particularly stress-induced fatigue, such as exam stress17, 18.

A study on shiitake mushrooms suggested that they improved the body’s immune response while also creating a less inflammatory environment19. Cordycep mushrooms on the other hand appear to improve a person's VO2 max, which means they can utilize more oxygen during intense exercise and thereby improve their performance20, 21. 

Ginseng mainly refers root of plants that belong to the genus Panax. The Huel Daily Greens Super Mushroom Adaptogen Complex contains three varieties. White ginseng is the dried root and has been shown to reduce reactive oxygen species, which can cause negative health effects, and it may do this by increasing the level of glutathione in cells22. Red ginseng is the root that’s been steamed and then dried. In certain groups, such as those with chronic illness and postmenopausal women, red ginseng may reduce symptoms of fatigue23.

Botanical Blend

Cinnamon, a popular flavoring, may play a role in helping to control blood glucose levels24 and may also have antimicrobial attributes25. 

Echinacea is a herb that contains bioactive compounds called alkylamides. Research suggests that the alkylamides could modulate the immune response26 and decrease the odds of developing a common cold as well as the duration of experiencing cold symptoms27. 

Lemongrass leaf has been used in traditional medicine around the world, it contains a number of bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, alkaloids and tannins which together potentially exert anti-inflammatory effects28.

Probiotics in Huel Daily Greens

Huel Daily Greens contains the probiotic Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 and Bifidobacterium Bifidum 100B. Probiotics are ‘good’ bacteria that – when consumed in adequate amounts – may have health benefits, particularly for gut health29-31. Bacillus coagulans is a robust and stable probiotic which makes it a great addition to Huel Daily Greens32. Bifidobacterium bifidum could help improve the immune system's resilience to stress33 this is because stress can weaken the immune system making us more susceptible to bacteria and viruses.

Vitamins and Minerals in Huel Daily Greens

Huel Daily Greens contains 27 essential vitamins and minerals.

There is ever-growing evidence demonstrating that, for many micronutrients, levels higher than the US Daily Values (DVs) may have beneficial effects to health. For example, it’s widely considered that the amount of vitamin C we’re recommended to consume is too low34-36, so we’ve added a high inclusion in the Huel Daily Greens formula. The benefits of consuming more vitamin C include a healthy immune system, healthy skin and antioxidant properties, and it also helps the absorption of some minerals like iron and zinc35-37.

Huel Daily Greens is rich in all nine essential B-vitamins. Of particular note is vitamin B12 as it’s extremely rare in plant foods, meaning that vegans are particularly vulnerable to B12 deficiency if they don’t supplement with it. Huel Daily Greens contains 231% of the DV for vitamin B12. 

Huel Daily Greens is rich in 12 essential minerals. These include iron and zinc, trace elements that are often lacking in people’s diets, as well as potassium, calcium, magnesium, selenium and iodine.

Read more about vitamins and minerals and their role in human health.

Summary

Huel Daily Greens is a green superblend powder supplement with 91 vitamins, minerals and whole-food-sourced nutrients and, as such, has a superior nutritional profile to the majority of other greens powders. Unlike other Huel products, Huel Daily Greens should not be used as your sole source of nutrition, but as a supplement and alternative to inferior multivitamin tablets. It’s the ideal accompaniment to breakfast.

Ingredients

Please note: Huel Daily Greens is produced in a facility that handles milk.

Nutritional Profile of Huel Daily Greens

Huel Daily Greens Cautions and Allergen Advice

As some conditions require dietary intervention, like with any food, please heed the notes below for the following conditions:

• Diabetes mellitus – Huel Daily Greens is suitable for type 1 and type 2 diabetics. If you're using medication to help control your diabetes you should structure your intake of Huel Daily Greens appropriately.
• Coeliac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis - Huel Daily Greens is gluten-free and is made with no gluten-containing ingredients.
• Inborn errors of metabolism – if you have a glycogen storage disorder (GSD) or other inborn error of metabolism where you require dietary manipulation, you must consult your doctor or specialist clinician before having Huel Daily Greens.
• Inflammatory bowel disease – if you suffer from Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or proctitis, and are experiencing a flare-up, we advise caution when having Huel Daily Greens. However, if you’re in remission, Huel Daily Greens may actually be beneficial.
• Pregnancy & lactation – due to the high levels of vitamins and minerals, Huel Daily Greens is NOT suitable for use during pregnancy or for nursing mothers.
• Children – Huel Daily Greens is not suitable for children under 4 years of age, and children under 12 years should consult their doctor before using.
• Eating disorders - we recommend that individuals with eating disorders only have Huel Daily Greens after discussing with their doctor or relevant clinician.

Huel Daily Greens is not suitable for those who suffer from phenylketonuria (PKU).

Medication Interactions

Due to the high levels of vitamins and minerals and whole-sourced ingredients in Huel Daily Greens, there may be specific drug-nutrient interactions relating to a particular medicine you're using, so we recommend you read the drug information provided with your prescription, and if you have any further concerns, please discuss them with your doctor.

Allergen Advice

All Huel products are 100% vegan. We thoroughly assess our ingredients and the processes we use to make Huel and whenever we identify potential routes of allergen contamination we will first take steps to eliminate the possibility of any contamination of our product. However, where it is not possible to remove the risk we will highlight any allergens that might be present on our product packaging (and ingredient lists) in line with current US food safety guidelines.

Huel Daily Greens is gluten-free and uses oats that are grown and processed in a wheat-free environment and are therefore free of wheat. However, we recognise that individuals can have allergies to any protein in any ingredient therefore if you have a specific allergy that is outside of the remit above, please contact us directly and we will do our best to guide you on which products are suitable.

Further reading

References

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46. Nagpal R, et al. Human-origin probiotic cocktail increases short-chain fatty acid production via modulation of mice and human gut microbiome. Sci Rep. 2018; 8(1):12649