Updated 16th October 2023
Chromium (As Chromium Polynicotinate) - 200 MCG
Chromium is a mineral and metal element that can provide a wide range of beneficial effects that will support the human body.
This includes being able to improve your insulin response, nutrient metabolism, serotonin production, energy levels, sleep quality, brain functions, and muscle recovery, reduce your appetite and blood sugar levels, promote weight loss, prevent weight gain, and help to combat diabetes (1).
It can even make all of the other natural ingredients in a weight loss supplement far easier for the body to absorb and much more effective.
With 200 mg being within the optimal dosage range for chromium supplements, the formula starts out with the only ingredient that is both actually effective and optimally dosed.
Polydextrose - 6,250 MG
Polydextrose is a non-digestible oligosaccharide and a synthetic polymer of glucose which contains both sorbitol and citric acid, and which is often used as an artificial sweetener.
A source of soluble fiber that is becoming an increasing popular weight loss supplement ingredient, it is said to be a prebiotic that can suppress appetite and improve glucose metabolism, both of which will help you lose weight.
Unfortunately, there are a number of issues with using polydextrose in a weight loss supplement.
Not only will it not help support gut health or combat diseases in the same way the fibre it is replacing will, but it has also been linked to a number of side effects. This includes bloating, gas, stomach pain, and diarrhoea. It is also only "thought to be safe", and has not been conclusively proven to be so (2).
You put all of this together and it immediately causes the alarm bells to start ringing with regards to both the safety and efficacy of Plexus Slim Hunger Control.
Green Coffee Bean Extract
Green coffee bean extract is made from unroasted green coffee beans. It contains both natural caffeine and a range of antioxidants, which has led to claims that it can boost metabolism, energy levels, and fat burning, and reduce inflammation, so you can stay fit and healthy, train hard, and keep losing weight.
The main reason it is put in some popular weight loss supplements though, is because green coffee beans also contain a compound called chlorogenic acid.
Chlorogenic acid can lower your blood pressure and blood sugar levels, improve your resting metabolic rate, and activate brown adipose tissue. This will help prevent spikes in your blood sugars, fat storage, and weight gain, and aid fat burning and weight loss.
The issue is, to see any of these benefits you need to consume either 3,000 mg of a very potent green coffee bean extract or 240 mg of pure chlorogenic acid (3).
Given that the entire Plexus Slim Blend weighs just 531 mg in its entirety, it is therefore virtually impossible for Plexus Slim Hunger Control to contain a dose large enough to be of any use.
Garcinia Cambogia Fruit Extract
Garcinia cambogia is a fruit native to Asia that has long been used in various traditional medicines and which is starting to be put in weight loss supplements due to the presence of a substance called hydroxycitric acid.
This compound is said to promote weight loss, improve workout performance, muscle growth, stamina, serotonin production, digestion, and gut health, and reduce stored fat production, hunger, blood sugar levels, and your risk of diabetes (4).
Unfortunately, there are multiple issues with its inclusion in Plexus weight loss products. Not only are many of its claimed benefits not conclusively proven, but even the studies that do support its use say that at least 500 mg must be consumed three times per day for it to produce any effects.
This means the dose that Plexus Slim Hunger Control can contain is guaranteed to do absolutely nothing.
Alpha Lipoic Acid
Alpha lipoic acid is an organic compound similar to a fatty acid that is high in antioxidants and found in the majority of cells in the human body, as well as obtained from a variety of food sources.
It can help your body convert glucose into usable energy, prevent free radical activity, reduce oxidative damage and stress and inflammation, boost your exercise performance, and aid weight management.
The only issue is, at least 300 mg is required each day for it to be of any use. As the Plexus pink drink cannot even contain half of this amount, the presence of alpha lipoic acid in the formula will be of no use at all (5).
White Mulberry Fruit Extract
White mulberry fruit extract has long been used in Chinese traditional medicines as there are health claims that it can improve virility and brain, heart, and immune system health and functions, reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and prevent the development of certain chronic health conditions.
It is also starting to be put in weight loss pills due to recent claims that it can prevent the creation of fat cells, suppress your appetite, and help you lose weight (6).
However, not only have none of these health claims ever been proven in human subjects, but even the clinical trials that have produced some evidence that it may be of use say that at least 5,400 mg must be consumed each day and even this may only benefit your brain.
That means its presence in this Plexus supplement is guaranteed to be of absolutely no use.
Other Ingredients
Beyond its active ingredients, Plexus Slim also contains a list of "other ingredients", which includes natural flavours, citric acid, stevia leaf extract, fruit and vegetable juice with beetroot extract (for colour), and silicon dioxide.
None of these are intended to add any health benefits to the product, and are instead included to improve its usability.
Silicon dioxide is used to thicken, stabilise, and preserve the powder, to improve its texture, while the colours and flavours are included to do solely that.
Citric acid is vital for cellular energy production and functions, and there is some evidence that it can bind to certain minerals, especially calcium, to make them more water soluble, boost their absorption, and prevent you from developing mineral deficiencies.
However, to do any of this would require a dose far higher than what will be present here, so it is likely used simply to stabilise the product (7).
Stevia leaf extract is a natural, low calorie sweetener that is often used instead of artificial sweeteners to sweeten a product without spiking your blood sugar levels or causing fat storage.
It then may also be an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that could boost brain, kidney, liver, and pancreas functions, however it could also be toxic and cause infertility and other health issues (8).
Pros
Cons
References