Taking the world by storm, green drinks and supplements have become the new health fad. However, as these proclaimed detoxifiers and health boosters grow in popularity, skepticism escalates.  

The trend, originally sprouted through social media, raised the consumption of drinks such as matcha, green juice, chlorophyll, green tea and even grass-based smoothies. Yet, doctors and nutritionists have concluded that these additives do not reach the expectations influencers have created for them; as they each aid health in one way or another, but are not a necessary part of one’s diet.

Both matcha and green tea root back to ancient Chinese culture, offering numerous health benefits as they contain many antioxidants, potentially reducing heart disease risks, aiding weight loss and promoting relaxation and alertness. Yet, the research on their health benefits is not conclusive and the drinks themselves are overrated, according to expert opinions.

Similarly, chlorophyll drops offer a number of health benefits but are widely overhyped. The supplement improves digestion, relieves constipation, reduces inflammation, has anti-aging factors and prevents body odor. Drinking chlorophyll is definitely beneficial and causes no harm, but is not a necessary drink according to Health Cleveland Clinic’s interview with registered dietitian Beth Czerwony. 

Other drinks that belong under the same category of green liquids include green juice and grass smoothies— both made with blended assortments of fruits and vegetables, or in the case of a grass smoothie, wheatgrass. The two are made of healthy ingredients and work well when dieting, but the ideas surrounding the two have given them too much credit as health boosters. 

Tiktok, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and blog websites mainly target teenagers and adults when promoting these “healthy” beverages. These advertisements then easily influence their audience as advertisers understand that many are looking for an easy health routine that doesn’t require much time or energy. 

The “green drink effect” is not harmful in any way, in fact, it is beneficial. However, society has fallen into the trap that in order to live a healthy lifestyle, one must drink some sort of oddly-shaded drink each day. At the end of the day, these drinks are a great refreshment, but not essential, or life-altering.