Vitamin C
(As Ascorbic Acid) - 400 MG Vitamin c is well known to boost your immune
system, health, and metabolism. However, vitamin c also aids collagen and
neurotransmitter production, muscle growth and and recovery, joint flexibility,
mobility and health, and muscle, bone and tooth strength as well (1).
The issue is, not only do studies say that,
unless you are vitamin c deficient, you should get enough from your diet, but
they also say that supplements which do contain it need to have at least 2,000
mg for it to be of any use. This means the 400 mg in each serving of 8Greens Gummies
will do nothing.
Vitamin B5
(Pantothenic Acid, As Calcium Pantothenate) - 15 MG Vitamin b5 is a water soluble vitamin that
serves numerous functions in the human body, including aiding the metabolism of
fatty acids, improving neurotransmitter production, mental energy levels,
memory, and brain health and functions, and promoting a healthy nervous system
(2).
However, it is recommended that you should
consume around 5 mg on a daily basis.
Vitamin B6
(As Pyridoxine Hydrochloride) - 3 MG Vitamin b6 is essential to ensure that amino
acids, fat, and glucose are effectively metabolised, neurotransmitters are
produced, and the immune system and brain stay healthy and function as they
should (3).
As with vitamin b5 though, it again appears
the dosage used is too strong, as the optimal daily dosage of vitamin b6 is
between 1.3 and 1.7 mg. This means the 3 mg in each serving of 8Greens Gummies
is roughly double the required amount, but that's generally fine with b vitamins.
Vitamin B12
(As Cyanocobalamin) - 9 MCG Vitamin b12 is an essential vitamin that
supports brain and nervous system health and functions, DNA, bone marrow,
nerve, red blood cell, and testosterone production, and a healthy metabolism,
and prevents brain fog, depression, mental decline, mood swings, and other
mental health issues.
The problem is, you will only see any of these
benefits if you consume at least 1,000 mcg of vitamin b12 per day. As 8Greens
Gummies contain just a fraction of this at 9 mcg per serving, it is all but
guaranteed to be of no use at all (4).
Proprietary
Greens Blend - 610 MGMicrocrystalline
Cellulose This type of cellulose is used to boost the
bulk, stability, and texture of the gummies. While this is a common practice,
the fact that it offers no health benefits and is the most abundant ingredient
in the proprietary blend is quite concerning.
Not only that, but it has also been linked to
a number of side effects when taken in large doses, such as bloating, gas,
depression, diarrhoea, forgetfulness, headaches, stomach pain, and low energy
levels (5). This makes its use in 8Greens Gummies more than a little bit of a
worry.
Organic
Spinach Spinach is a leafy green vegetable that is
full of essential nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. Spinach can enhance eye,
heart, and immune system health and functions, and reduce anxiety, stress,
blood pressure, oxidative stress and damage, and the risk of heart disease and
some other illnesses (6).
Unfortunately, at least 1 gram of spinach is
required each day to do any of this. As 8 Greens Gummies contain, at most, a
third of this amount, the presence of spinach in the formula is very unlikely
to be of use.
Organic
Aloe Vera (Inner Leaf) Aloe vera is a succulent plant similar to a
cactus that studies show can enhance your intestinal mobility, ease
constipation, reduce inflammation, keep the skin healthy, and prevent oxidative
stress and damage.
The issue is, these same studies suggest that
600 mg of aloe vera is required each day to produce these results. As 8 Greens
Gummies contain at best a third of this amount, the presence of organic aloe
vera in the formula is essentially pointless (7).
Organic
Wheatgrass Powder Organic wheatgrass powder is made from the new
sprouts that grow on the top of the wheat plant. It is rich in antioxidants,
fibres, minerals, phytonutrients, and vitamins, and very low in calories.
This has led to claims that it can reduce
oxidative stress and damage, inflammation, the risk of heart disease, and
cholesterol levels, and treat arthritis and certain other health issues.
However, as none of these claims have ever
been proven, it is just as likely that it does nothing at all in the 8 Greens
Gummies formula as it is that it offers any health benefits (8).
Organic
Kale Kale is a popular leafy green that is full of
phytochemicals and essential vitamins and minerals that can offer a range of
benefits, the most notable of which is the ability to reduce your cholesterol
levels and risk of heart disease (9).
Unfortunately, you must consume at least 5
grams of kale per day to enjoy these benefits. As this is far more than a serving
of 8 Greens Gummies could possibly contain, its inclusion is absolutely
worthless. There is also no proof that the benefits of fresh kale transfer to
its supplement form either.
Natural
Colours (Red Cabbage Juice & Beet Juice) Red cabbage and beetroot both contain a wide
range of nutrients that can benefit the human body in a variety of ways.
However, as they have been listed under a sub-heading of "Natural
Colours", it is likely only a tiny amount is present that will not convey
any of the beneficial effects that each could produce.
This is especially worrying as colourings are
usually listed in the "Other Ingredients" section of a dietary
supplement, rather than right in the middle of the active ingredients like it
is in 8 Greens Gummies.
Organic
Turmeric Turmeric is an extract of the curcuma longa
plant that contains a chemical called curcumin, which is a powerful antioxidant
with anti inflammatory properties. It is widely used in supplements as it can
neutralise free radicals, prevent oxidative stress and damage, and reduce
inflammation.
The problem is, not only is 1,500 mg needed
each day to be effective, but turmeric also can't be properly absorbed by the
human body without the piperine in black pepper extract, which is not present
here (10). This means its inclusion in 8 Greens Gummies is totally pointless.
Organic
Spirulina Powder (Colours) Much like when we looked at the "Natural
Colours" above, spirulina can be a very effective ingredient but it is
clearly only used here for its colour, which suggests a tiny, ineffective
amount is present in 8 Greens Gummies. This is again doubly worrying due to how
high on the ingredients list it is.
Organic
Barley Grass Organic barley grass is rich in various
essential nutrients and can provide numerous benefits, such as keeping your
heart healthy, aiding weight loss and reducing high cholesterol and blood sugar
levels (11).
The issue is, to do any of these things, you
must consume at least 1,000 mg of barley grass per day. As 8 Greens Gummies can
contain at most 6 percent of this amount, its presence is utterly worthless.
Organic
Blue Green Algae Listing "Organic Blue Green Algae"
on a daily greens supplement is kind of like saying it contains green
vegetables. While some blue green algae can indeed be beneficial, others can
actually be harmful to humans.
Without knowing exactly which ones have been
used in 8 Greens Gummies, it is impossible to determine the effects they will
produce.
Organic
Spirulina Spirulina is a type of the blue green algae
that we looked at above. It is rich in antioxidants, fatty acids, proteins,
vitamins, and mineral compounds and can offer a variety of beneficial effects.
This includes boosting your metabolism and
body composition, suppressing your appetite, promoting weight loss, fighting
free radicals, preventing oxidative stress and damage, reducing inflammation,
blood pressure, and blood sugar levels, and keeping your heart healthy.
However, for it to do any of these things, you
must consume at least 2,000 mg of spirulina per day (12). As 8 Greens Gummies
can only contain a fraction of this amount, spirulina is yet another useful
ingredient that has been completely wasted in this formula.
Organic
Broken Cell Chlorella Chlorella is a type of chlorophyte green algae
with a high antioxidant, mineral, and vitamin content. It can boost your energy
levels faster than sugar, without spiking your blood sugar, and reduce your
cholesterol, combat diseases, detoxify the body, and provide a range of other
beneficial effects (13).
As no optimal dose of chlorella has been
established, this is a rare case where 8 Greens Gummies may actually contain a
useful dose of an effective ingredient. That said, as it is buried at the very
bottom of a large proprietary blend, it's still more likely than not that there
is not enough present to do you any good.
Pros
Cons
References
1. https://centertrt.org/blog/can-you-take-too-much-vitamin-c.html
2. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/PantothenicAcid-HealthProfessional/
3. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminB6-HealthProfessional/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4772032/
5. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Cellulose_-microcrystalline
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6974769/
7. https://examine.com/supplements/aloe-vera/
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6438434/
9. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3136577/
10. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5664031/
11. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29849880/
12. https://centertrt.org/blog/12-remarkable-health-benefits-of-spirulina-a-comprehensive-guide.html
13. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7551956/