Introduction
It probably won’t come as too much of a surprise when we tell you that we’re in the middle of an obesity epidemic; according to the World Health Organization there are over 500 million obese people worldwide – this number is only continuing to grow year on year.
It goes without saying that being obese comes with serious health implications such as the increased risk of heart attack and cancer, therefore bringing yourself back down to a healthy weight should be one of your highest priorities. While losing weight naturally can be extremely difficult for some, there is an entire industry out there dedicated to helping you lose weight fast. As a consumer, you can choose from pharmaceutical weight loss pills or you can opt for the over-the-counter weight loss supplements (the most popular option).
Plexus Worldwide are one of the most well-known weight loss brands on the market, but that doesn’t automatically mean they make the most effective products. Their flagship weight loss drink named “SLIM” has seen significant hype lately, primarily due to their claims that the product is “clinically demonstrated to help you lose weight”.
In this Plexus Slim review, we’re taking an in-depth look into this pink drink to see what all the fuss is about.
What Is Plexus Slim?
Plexus Slim is a weight loss drink produced by a US-based company named Plexus Worldwide LLC. Unlike most other weight management products that come in capsule form, Plexus Slim comes in sachets which are designed to be mixed with water and consumed as a beverage.
One pack of Plexus Slim costs $87.95 and contains 30 serving packets, meaning each “pink drink” costs $2.93 – consumers can opt into a monthly billing subscription and get the product shipped for $82.95 should they wish.
The product is available via the official Plexus Slim website, Amazon, eBay and other third party retailers.
At the time of writing this review, Plexus Worldwide LLC have a A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau, though they only have a 35% positive customer review rating. The company has 683 customer complaints filed against them with 294 having been marked as resolved to customer satisfaction – it seems that Plexus do respond to all consumer complaints, which to us, shows their customer service level is good.
The product itself is essentially a flavored blend of chromium, Green Coffee Bean Extract and Garcinia Cambogia (among other ingredients). This product is stimulant-free.
Consumers are told the product is clinically proven to promote weight loss. Other promised health effects are improved gut health.
Does Plexus Slim Work?
Based on our research into the Pleux Slim formulation, we do not believe the product will function exactly as described by Plexus.
Firstly, consumers should be aware that this product is by no means a “miracle” fat burning drink; there are no ingredients inside the complex that will directly and independently burn body fat. Furthermore, the claims on the plexus website stating the product is clinically proven to support weight loss are met with a disclaimer stating they have not been evaluated by the FDA, which essentially means the statement is lacking concrete scientific evidence to support it.
We looked at clinical research into the main ingredients inside Plexus on the PubMed Database to see what has currently been uncovered:
Main ingredient 1 – Chromium
It’s a mixed back when it comes to the clinical research into chromium. Although it’s not officially recognized by the FDA or EFSA as effective for weight loss, the product has seen numerous independent studies. Some studies have concluded the ingredient isn’t effective for weight loss, others have concluded it is effective – make of that what you will.
Study 1 Title: A pilot study of chromium picolinate for weight loss.
Study Conclusion: Supplementation of 1000 mcg of chromium picolinate alone did not affect weight loss in overweight adults.
Study 2 Title: Chromium picolinate supplementation for overweight or obese people
Study Conclusion: Doses of chromium picolinate investigated (200 µg, 400 µg, 500 µg, 1000 µg) were pooled, study participants lost around 1 kg of body weight more than participants receiving placebo.
Main ingredient 2 – Green Coffee Bean Extract
Much like chromium, the clinical studies into green coffee bean extract also vary significantly in results. One reoccurring theme we found in the studies is that all stated any weight loss effect would be very minimal.
Study 1 Title: The Use of Green Coffee Extract as a Weight Loss Supplement
Study Conclusion: The size of the effect is small, and the clinical relevance of this effect is uncertain.
Study 2 Title: Effects of Green Coffee Bean Extract on Weight Loss
Study Conclusion: Green Coffee Bean Extract supplementation may be effective in promoting weight loss in obese subjects, but no effects were observed in normal weight subjects.
Main ingredient 3 – Garcinia Cambogia
Finally, we looked at the final ingredient Garcinia Cambogia. Similar to Green Coffee Bean Extract, studies concluded the effects of this ingredient for weight loss are minimal.
Study Title: The Use of Garcinia Extract (Hydroxycitric Acid) as a Weight loss Supplement
Study Conclusion: The evidence suggests that Garcinia extracts generate weight loss on the short term. However, the magnitude of this effect is small.
The Pros & Cons Of Plexus Slim
Below we’ve made a complete list of everything that we like and dislike about this product:
The Pros
- Comes with a money-back guarantee.
- Contains chromium which helps contribute towards normal macronutrient metabolism.
- Prebiotic content may support gut health.
The Cons
- Doesn’t contain any ingredients that directly and independently burn body fat.
- May not cause appetite suppressing effects.
- Will not boost energy levels.
- Potentially manipulated Amazon product reviews according to FakeSpot.
- Very expensive ($2.93 per sachet).
What Are The Plexus Slim Ingredients?
We have found the following supplement facts via the official manufacturers website:
One Serving Contains: Chromium 200mcg, Xylooligosaccharide 1,000mg, Plexus Slim® Blend 531mg, Green Coffee Bean Extract, Garcinia Cambogia Fruit Extract, Alpha Lipoic Acid, Mulberry Fruit Extract.
Non-active Ingredients: Citric Acid, Natural Flavors, Stevia (Stevia Rebaudiana) Leaf Extract, Beet (Beta Vulgaris) Root Extract and Other Fruit and Vegetable Juice, Cellulose Gum and Silicon Dioxide.
Is Plexus Slim Suitable For Everyone?
Do not use Plexus Slim if you suffer from high blood pressure or heart problems. Additionally, do not use it if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are under the age of 18.
What Are The Plexus Slim Side Effects?
We’ve compiled the following potential side effects based on the ingredients inside this formula:
Note: these side effects are possible but may not be the typical user experience.
Are There Any Plexus Slim Reviews From Customers?
We have found the following Plexus Slim review testimonials via customers online:
Based on my experience this product can help keep your system running, provides energy, helps with PMS and stops those annoying food cravings at night.
I lost a few pounds, but after a few weeks of taking it I started getting chest pains and stomach pains. And it’s super expensive. Not worth it.
Currently the product has a 3 star rating on the Amazon marketplace, however there were several gleamingly positive, unverified reviews on the product which looked suspicious. We ran the product listing through the FakeSpot software, which came back with the following results:
• Our engine has profiled the reviewer patterns and has determined that there is high deception involved (source: FakeSpot).
Our Final Verdict On Plexus Slim
To conclude our Plexus Slim review, it’s a bit of a mixed bag – there are things that we like about it and things that we aren’t too blown away by.
It’s by no means a bad product, but we feel that it’s very expensive and lacking several key aspects that a weight management product should have.
Firstly, this product isn’t officially “clinically proven” to cause weight loss, so keep that in mind. It also will not boost your energy levels or directly burn body fat.
In order to see weight loss with Plexus Slim, you’ll need to use it in conjunction with a calorie controlled diet and exercise for best results.
On a more positive note, this product does contain probiotic ingredients as well as numerous ingredients useful for general health. While it is expensive, it comes with a full 60 day money-back guarantee, so if you’re dissatisfied you can always get your money back.