IdealBoost

We take an in-depth look at IdealBoost to see whether this soda-replacement shake has what it takes to be a tasty and cost-effective substitute for sugary energy drinks.

IdealBoost Overview

What you need to know about IdealBoost

IdealBoost is a diet drink powder mix that is intended to be used as a replacement for sugary, fizzy or energy drinks. Containing no sugar and just 5 calories per serving, IdealBoost also promises to work as an appetite suppressant, energy booster and fat burner. The drinks come in a variety of flavors (including Tropical Punch, Raspberry Citrus, Pineapple Strawberry, Coconut Line, and Black Cherry), and are designed to be taken 1-2 times a day alongside an existing diet plan or schedule.

IdealBoost is sold and manufactured by IdealShape, which sells a range of diet plans and supplements on its official website. IdealShape promotes an overall package of diet advice and supplements via the IdealPlan, a 12-week course which is enthusiastically promoted on the front page. IdealShape also seems to have a number of ambassadors and associates selling IdealShape products independently in gyms and health shops across the country, although the company seems free of much of the controversy that affects most businesses that work this way. All products bought from IdealShape are protected by a 30-day money back guarantee, which seems to be honored most of the time (although some customers have complained of difficulties claiming refunds).

What are the side effects of IdealBoost?

Due to the moderate levels of caffeine contained within each serving (80mg to be precise), IdealBoost may cause some caffeine-related side effects if overused. Potential side effects include the common caffeine jitters, sleeplessness, headaches, heartburn, diarrhoea and a grumpy mood.

The energy boosting mix also contains levels of Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 that are way above the RDA. Over time, this can cause stomach upset, loss of appetite, headaches, drowsiness and tingling in the extremities. Large doses of Vitamin B6 over time can cause more serious neurological problems. The lower dose of Vitamin B3 can cause flushes and stomach upset in the first few days of taking it, and raspberry ketones have sometimes been linked to insomnia, restlessness, chest pains, head pains, nausea, a feeling of weakness, and more serious allergic reactions.

How much does IdealBoost cost?

The prices listed below for IdealBoost seem to be the same for all outlets. One pack of 30 servings of IdealBoost costs $19.99, with shipping costs reaching $6.99 on Amazon (shipping was free on the official website at time of writing, although this offer may be temporary). A special “variety” pack of IdealBoost costs $14.99 and has 20 servings per pack.

IdealBoost Key Features

IdealBoost is a caffeinated, sugar-free diet drink powder that is intended to aid weight loss and act as a substitute for harmful and sugary energy drinks. IdealBoost comes in powdered form, is intended to be mixed with water and comes in a variety of flavors (including raspberry citrus and black cherry). The formula contains a number of different proprietary blends per packet, including an appetite control blend, a weight loss blend, and an energy boost blend.

IdealBoost is manufactured and sold by IdealShape, a diet specialist and supplement manufacturer from the USA. IdealShape’s main focus appears to be the IdealPlan, a 12-week nutritional guide and supplement pack for dieters (which includes meal-replacement shakes and specialized snack bars). All of the company’s various products and shakes come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, although a few customers have complained of returns not being honored on the Better Business Bureau. IdealShape’s telephone number and contact details are provided on the official website.

What does IdealBoost claim to do?

IdealBoost is intended to be used as a substitute for sugary drinks or energy drinks, and should be consumed as a snack in-between meals. The manufacturers claim that IdealBoost ingredients can burn fat and aid weight loss. The high levels of caffeine can also provide an energy boost, whilst other ingredients supposedly work to block hunger cravings and suppress the appetite.

On the Amazon product page, the following key benefits are listed:

• HUNGER CONTROL – our weight loss drinks give you up to 3 hours of hunger control to crush cravings.
• ENERGY – B vitamins and caffeine give you the energy boost you need to get through your day and stay motivated.
• LOW CALORIE – diet drinks for weight loss need to be low in calories. IdealBoost only has 5!
• DELICIOUS – kick your soda habit with the refreshing taste of IdealBoost weight loss drink mix.
• GREEN TEA – green tea is proven to help boost your metabolism and increase fat burn.

Does IdealBoost work?

There are really three main components to this product, and some work better than others. The clearest aspect of this product that will work is the energy boost; with 80mg of caffeine per serving, IdealBoost should come with the kick expected of a cup of coffee or tea. The B vitamins also included within this blend should contribute towards healthy energy levels over time, especially if the consumer had a deficiency before taking this supplement.

The other two components are much more of a mixed bag. The most effective ingredient in the weight loss blend is the green tea, which contain catechins that can boost the metabolism. For the most part however, any weight loss will likely come as a result of the caffeine. The appetite control blend contains fiber (which is effective as an appetite suppressant) and Slendesta (which is probably not).

All in all, if you use IdealBoost as it is probably intended (as a substitute for a harmful and calorie-laden addiction to sugary energy drinks), then you will probably find that the product does the job. Other than being low calorie and sugar-free, IdealBoost does very little else!

IdealBoost Ingredients

The main active ingredients used in IdealBoost are listed below. Readers should note that some ingredient quantities are unlisted, which can make it impossible to estimate how effective each ingredient is within this particular mix.

Appetite Control Blend:

• Soluble Fiber 1g: As soluble fiber gels and expands in the stomach, it can contribute to helping the body to feel fuller whilst limiting the number of calories that have been consumed.
  Source: https://examine.com/nutrition/3-science-based-steps-to-curbing-your-appetite/
• Slendesta 300mg: This potato protein extract has been patented and held as a registered trademark by a Portuguese company called Kemin. Despite a few dubious studies claiming that it aids weight loss through suppressing appetite, the official opinion of the European Food Safety Authority is that there is no evidence that Slendesta works at all.
  Source: http://www.nutritionaloutlook.com/weight-management/kemin-disputes-efsa-health-claims-rejection-weight-loss-ingredient-slendesta

Weight Loss Blend:

• Green Tea: Green tea is high in a group of antioxidants called catechins. Studies have suggested that catechins and caffeine both increase energy expenditure by boosting the metabolism temporarily. However, the metabolic increase caused by green tea is limited. One study found that the use of green tea was not enough to counteract weight gain following a high calorie diet.
  Source: http://ajcn.nutrition.org/content/70/6/1040.full
• Raspberry Ketones: Although it can be extracted from raspberries, as the name suggests, the majority of raspberry ketones used in supplements is lab-synthesised, as this is a more cost effective option. Whilst there is a small amount of evidence that raspberry ketone can cause weight loss in rats, there have never been any human trials on the potential weight loss effects of raspberry ketone.
  Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/becky-hand/raspberry-ketones_b_2727943.html
• Green Coffee Bean: Whilst it was thought that this ingredient was a significant aid in weight loss, the relevant research has been discredited as fraudulent. Currently there is no evidence that it aids with weight loss more than any other source of caffeine.
  Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevensalzberg/2013/09/09/dr-oz-tries-to-do-science/

Energy Boost Blend:

• Caffeine (caffeine anhydrous, green tea extract, green coffee bean) 80mg: Numerous studies have shown that caffeine boosts energy levels and alertness, as well as mildly boosting the metabolism, causing a small increase in the number of calories used by the body. The effects shown in studies are small, and some studies are inconclusive.
  Source: http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-living/weight-loss/expert-answers/caffeine/faq-20058459
• Niacinamide (Vitamin B3) 14mg: Vitamin B3 is responsible for helping to produce energy from consumed food, as well as helping keep the nervous and digestive systems healthy. It can be easily sourced in adequate amounts from a balanced diet.
  Source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2874142/
• Pyridoxine HCI (Vitamin B6) 10mg: Vitamin B6 has several important functions in the body, including ‘allowing the body to use and store energy from protein and carbohydrates in food’. Whilst taking excess amounts of vitamin B6 will not infinitely improve this ability, a deficiency could make it more difficult to lose weight. Vitamin B6 is naturally present in a wide variety of foods, including meat, cereals, bread and vegetables. The quantity of Vitamin B6 included in this mix is notably high.
  Source: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vitamins-minerals/Pages/Vitamin-B.aspx
• Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12) 30mcg: Vitamin B12 is naturally present in many foods, primarily meat, fish and dairy products. It has several roles, including aiding in releasing energy from consumed food, and keeping the nervous system healthy. It may be that a deficiency hinders weight loss, but taking excessive amounts could be harmful (as in this product, which contains 500% of your RDA per pack).
  Source: http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/vitamins-minerals/Pages/Vitamin-B.aspx

IdealBoost Side Effects

IdealBoost contains around 80mg of caffeine per serving, and so overuse can lead to some side effects that are associated with higher doses of caffeine. These side effects can include insomnia, headaches, irritability, diarrhoea and heartburn.

The energy boosting mix also contains very high levels of Vitamin B6 and B12, which can cause vomiting, stomach upset, loss of appetite, headaches, drowsiness, and a tingling feeling. Long-term high doses of Vitamin B6 can also cause nerve and brain problems; customers should be aware of this, as IdealBoost contains 489% of the RDA for Vitamin B6 per serving! Although the dosage of Vitamin B3 is lower, it is still sometimes associated with hot flushes, stomach upset and diarrhoea (although these symptoms tend to fade over time).

Raspberry ketone is an under-researched product, especially in the quantities found in supplements. Whilst it is considered safe for use in food in small doses, the higher doses used in supplements could cause jitteriness and other symptoms. Some users of raspberry ketone have reported feeling ‘weak’, restlessness, insomnia, chest pains, headaches and nausea. Some people have also had allergic reactions to raspberry ketone, with symptoms including itching, rashes, trouble breathing and a racing heart-rate.

IdealBoost Customer Feedback

Independent customer reviews for IdealBoost can be found all over the Internet, with the vast majority of reviewers remaining satisfied with the product and its effects. A minority of comments complain that the product failed to work at all.

This was my second order of this product. The flavor is great and you can adjust by adding more water and/or ice. The packets are portable & convenient. I was skeptical about the hunger suppressant, but found that it worked for me & helped to keep me away from soda. I would recommend this product.

Works as described. Keeps hunger away. I liked the flavor as well.

I like the flavors and they do help curb the appetite. I like to have the flavor in my water. However, I can’t have caffeine too late in the afternoon or I have too hard of a time sleeping and this does have some caffeine…

It was ok taste wise but I didn’t feel any less hungry drinking it even with additional water. Feels like a placebo

IdealBoost Money-Back Guarantee

On their official website, IdealShape clearly explain their 30-day money-back guarantee. Customers are free to return any opened product within 30 days for a full refund (minus the cost of shipping, except in cases where the manufacturer made an error). To organize a refund, customers must first contact IdealShape’s customer service team to arrange everything. Customers must also remember that when returning several bottles of product, only one may be returned opened.

Where To Buy IdealBoost

IdealBoost is available to buy from both Amazon and the official website, and prices are similar from both outlets. One pack of 30 servings of IdealBoost costs $19.99 on both Amazon and the official website. Shipping costs $6.99 from Amazon and appears to be free on the official website (although this may have been promotional or temporary – make sure to double-check at checkout). Customers looking for a little more variety in terms of flavor can find an option to get 20 servings of various flavors of IdealBoost for $14.99 on the official website.

Watchdog Verdict

The strongest aspect of IdealBoost is the fact that it seems to fulfil its most basic role. The vast majority of customer reviews highlight the fact that IdealBoost is a tasty and healthy alternative to a fizzy drink habit, and for a similar cost. The money-back guarantee offered by IdealShape also helps to protect customers that may not enjoy the taste or who may find that the product doesn’t work for them.

Not every aspect of the product is good news. The appetite suppressant properties of the product is essentially the work of basic soluble fiber, and the evidence shows that it seems to work for some and not for others. Although IdealBoost claims to also work as a fat burning weight loss aid, we feel that the evidence shown by the ingredients strongly suggest that this effect is mild at best, and near nonexistent at worst.

It’s as simple as that really – the product doesn’t really do all that much other than provide energy, but if all you’re looking for is a cost-effective, sugar-free, low-calorie substitute for fizzy drinks, then you’ll probably be left feeling very satisfied. We can’t really recommend it as a weight loss aid however.

For this reason, we do not recommend IdealBoost to our readers, but feel free to check it out if you fit the description above!