"Greens powders" or "superfood powders" — supplements that contain large amounts of vitamins and minerals that can be mixed into a glass of water or a shake — have been growing in popularity, but experts say there is little evidence to suggest these powders will actually improve your health, Dani Blum reports for the  New York Times' "Well."

What experts say about superfood powders

These powders typically contain vitamins E and C, biotin (also known as vitamin B7), and vitamin B12, as well as plant proteins like pea protein or brown rice protein powder, ground up fruits and vegetables, and supplemental probiotics and prebiotics.

They may also contain a variety of plant substances, like ashwagandha or ginseng, which are called adaptogens and allegedly help with stress relief and energy production.

But experts say that, provided you're following a reasonably balanced diet and aren't deficient in any vitamins or minerals, these supplements likely aren't necessary.

"This is like throwing the kitchen sink into a powder," said Pieter Cohen, an associate professor at Harvard Medical School who studies supplements.

"They're so enticing," said Marion Nestle, an emeritus professor of nutrition, food studies, and public health at New York University. "You think, 'Oh, this will be so easy.'" But you'll likely need more than just a scoop of powder to improve your overall health, she added.

In addition, these powders typically contain significantly more than the daily recommended amounts of different vitamins and minerals, Blum reports. For example, one serving of AG1, made by Athletic Greens, contains more than 550% of the daily recommended amount of vitamin E, and 1,100% of the daily recommended amount of biotin.

Generally, your body can handle the excess nutrients, said Gerard Mullin, an associate professor at Johns Hopkins Medicine who specializes in gastroenterology. Most of the nutrients will be broken down by your kidneys, but some vitamins — like vitamins A, D, E, and K — can cause harmful effects if consumed in high enough amounts, Mullin said, though this is rare.

As for the probiotics, Nestle said there isn't clear evidence whether already healthy people will become healthier by taking them regularly. And while prebiotic supplements may encourage regular bowel movements and promote gut health, the science on their necessity isn't settled, Nestle added.

Adaptogens have been used for centuries in Eastern medicine, but Cohen said there's not enough high-quality evidence on whether they can stabilize a person's mood or alleviate anxiety.

"There have been no clinical trials showing how effective they are, just informercials," Mullin said.

According to Nestle, when manufacturers grind up vegetables like broccoli or spinach, some of the vitamins and other beneficial components get lost in the process, including some of the fiber, which is necessary for regulating digestion and keeping your gut healthy.

"Why not just eat some spinach?" Nestle said. "I don't quite get it."

Ultimately, experts say superfood powders don't pose a major risk to the average person, but they likely aren't much help much either.

"You want to take them, take them," Nestle said. "But it's not going to solve nutritional problems." (Blum, "Well," New York Times, 5/22)