The Greens+ product line is the creation of Sam Graci, the head of Orange Peel Enterprises.  Graci created the original Greens+ superfood drink in 1990 – inspired by the desire to help his disabled sister-in-law live a healthier life.  Since that time, the line has expanded to include other drinks, protein powders, supplements and bars.  The protein bars come in 4 basic flavors: Natural Peanut Butter, Chocolate-Coated Peanut Butter, Wild Berry Burst and Whey Protein Krisp.

Manufacturer’s Description: We’ve combined organically grown superfoods, whey protein, high energy herbal extracts and a little agave nectar to produce the only cold-processed, alkaline-forming, protein-rich green food bar. The GREENS+® Protein Bar contains no processed sugar, salt, corn syrup, hydrogenated oil, synthetic sweeteners, preservatives, or genetically-modified foods of any kind.

The GREENS+® Protein Bar delivers low-glycemic carbohydrates, essential fatty acids and biologically-complete protein to help build lean muscle and balance the body’s blood sugar. Perfect for athletes seeking an edge, students, travelers, children of all ages, and anyone in need of optimum energy, superior well being, and peak performance.

Serving Size 1 bar (59g) Calories 240 Calories from Fat 100 Total Fat 11g Monosaturated Fat 4g Saturated Fat 2.5g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 5mg Sodium 45mg Total Carbohydrates 20g

Dietary Fiber 2g Sugars 17g Protein 20g Vitamin A 3200iu 70% Vitamin B6 .10mg 5% Vitamin B12 12mcg 216% Vitamin C 18mg 30% Vitamin E 40iu 133% Calcium 60mg 6% Iron 2mg 13%

Ingredients: Organic peanut butter, whey protein isolate, organic agave nectar, organic quinoa sprout powder, original GREENS+® (GMO-free soy lecithin, organic Hawaiian spirulina, organic apple fiber, barley grass powder, wheat grass powder, Japanese chlorella, hydroponic soy sprouts, organic brown rice bran, sprouted barley malt, alfalfa grass powder, dairy-free probiotics, royal jelly, Montana bee pollen, acerola berry juice, natural vitamin E, licorice root powder, milk thistle extract, echinacea root extract, Siberian eleuthero root extract, astragalus root extract, licorice root extract, organic red beet juice, dunaliella salina algae, organic Nova Scotia Dulse, organic ginkgo biloba leaf extract, organic Japanese green tea extract, grape seed and skin extract, organic Swedish bilberry extract), organic brown rice crisps, Omega 3 Chia seed oil, mixed tocopherols (natural vitamin E).

Comments: I picked up a box of a dozen Natural Peanut Butter bars from www.iherb.com for $24.40 (US). This is considerably less than the price I would have paid buying direct from the company ($35.88).

The bars look quite simple: they’re basically firm, smooth, brownish-greenish slabs of nougat – no layers or coating. They have a smooth, homogenous texture and are quite chewy, although not excessively so. Despite the color, they don’t taste “grassy” or “herby” – just mildly sweet with a pleasant – but not powerful – peanut butter flavor.

So, not great… but definitely ok.

The bars provide a decent amount of high quality protein (from whey), as well as some green “superfood” nutrition from Greens+ powder. There’s even some chia seed oil to provide some omega-3 fats. The bars are filling without being particularly high in calories, so they’d make a decent snack for someone on a reduced calorie diet.

One of the things I liked about the Greens+ bars is that – unlike many other protein bars – they’re made from actual food ingredients, vs. additives. Thus, they don’t taste much like traditional candy bars, but are also more “real”. Personally, I think they’d make good snacks for traveling, as they’re nutritious, can slip easily into a purse or pocket, and are firm enough to resist being mangled.

Taste: 2.5/5.0

Quality: 5.0/5.0

Efficacy: 5.0/5.0

Value: 3.5/5.0

Overall: 4.0/5.0

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Biotest is a brand name that’s pretty well-known in bodybuilding circles.  It’s owned/operated by T-Muscle (formerly known as “T-Nation”), an online resource devoted to bodybuilding training and nutrition.  “Superfood” is one of the newer supps in the Biotest line, and is composed of a spectrum of standardized, vegetable/fruit extracts.

Manufacturer’s Description: “What we’ve done is taken 18 incredibly potent, freeze-dried super extracts of WHOLE fruits and vegetables and combined them in what we believe is the perfect superfood. We chose each for their almost drug-like properties, and put them together in one incredibly potent, incredibly concentrated, incredibly easy-to-use powdered supplement.

No fillers, no extra flavoring agents, no sweeteners, nothing extra — just pure superfood.”

Serving Size: 5 g (2 scoops)Freeze-Dried Super-Concentrated Extracts 5,000 mgBERRIES: wild blueberry (1.5% anthocyanin), orange (40% vitamin C), raspberry (20% allagic acid, 0.7% anthocyanins), strawberry, acai berry (1.5% total phenolic acids, 1% anthocyanins), coffee berry (50% total phenolic acids), goji berry, pomegranate (40% ellagic acid)VEGETABLES: broccoli sprout (5000 ppm sulforophane), kale, spinach (700 ppm lutein), wasabi (20% glucosinolates), wild yam (20% diosgenin), green tea (95% total polyphenols, 65% total catechins, 40% EGCG)OTHER FRUITS: apple, mango, passion fruit, watermelon (1000 ppm lycopene)

Comments: Biotest Superfood is one of many such high-ORAC food-based concentrates currently on the market, which are promoted as surrogates for vegetable/fruit intake.  Biotest goes one step further than most, however. In addition to claiming their supplement is “…equivalent to eating between 10 and 12 average servings of fruits and vegetables”, the company also insists it makes vitamin and mineral supplementation “obsolete.”  This claim is pretty ironic, as there is NO vitamin or mineral information listed on the container or web site to back this up.  Needless to state, plant antioxidants are supremely healthful – but they aren’t replacements for essential vitamins and minerals.  Thus, this line of reasoning:

As such we’ve always preferred to get our vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and various phytochemicals from fruits and vegetables. Unfortunately, you know as well as we do that it’s hard to ingest anywhere near the proper amounts of fruits and vegetables every day. Who’s got time to eat 4 servings of fruits and 4 servings of vegetables every single day?

…Enter Biotest’s Superfood.

…We discarded the notion of coming out with a vitamin pill composed of conventional, lab manufactured vitamins and minerals. Instead, we’ve chosen the whole-food route.

…is illogical.  It’s great to get your vites and minerals from fruits and vegetables vs. pills - but to imply that an apparently vitamin-/mineral-less antioxidant supplement can replace the vites and minerals supplied by whole fruits and veggies is ridiculous…it’s comparing apples to oranges (no pun intended).  Extracts contain only those elements soluble in the extraction solvent.  Saying they’re nutritionally equivalent to whole foods is like saying cornstarch is nutritionally equivalent to an ear of corn.

NOT.

Beyond the exaggerated claims, however, the product itself appears to be pretty well-made.  It’s one of the few I’ve seen that uses (some) standardized extracts, and the ORAC value is fairly impressive: 5,315 per serving.  It also handles quite well: it dissolves thoroughly in water and isn’t the least bit gritty.  Quality-wise, it appears to be good stuff.

Unlike some competing products, however, Biotest Superfood is NOT sweetened or flavored in any way.  On the one hand, this is a good thing, as users don’t have to pay for superfluous additives, but the downside is that it really doesn’t taste very good.  It’s not horrible, either, mind you…the flavor, such as it is, is actually rather faint: it tastes like slightly tart, broccoli/berry tea-flavored water (if you can imagine such a thing).  So it’s drinkable as is, although I thought it was best added to other things.  For example, during my taste-tests, I typically dissolved it in a glass of water, then added a scoop of chocolate protein powder, which covered the taste and color up completely.

Overall, I liked Superfood – for what it is, rather than what Biotest pretends it is.  It seems like a great way to add some additional antioxidant phytonutrients to your diet (and certainly better than using Mona Vie or other MLM “superfruit” products)…although it’s still not a replacement for the fiber, minerals (especially potassium) vites and complete spectrum of phytonutrients found in whole veg/fruits.  It’s a good product, but it’s best used as an addition to – not a replacement for – what Mother Nature provides.

Taste: 2.5/5.0

Quality: 5.0/5.0

Efficacy: 3.5/5.0

Value: 3.5/5.0

Overall: 3.5/5.0

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CNP Professional was formerly known as “Dorian Yates Approved” – after legendary bodybuilder Dorian Yates (the company was renamed following his departure). CNP’s product line is focused almost exclusively on protein powders and meal replacements.  The “Pro-MS” line is in keeping with this: it’s a high protein, meal replacement powder designed for women.  Pro-MS comes in three flavors: Swiss Chocolate, Wild Berries and Cream and Vanilla Caramel.

Manufacturer’s Description: “Pro Ms is the first and only low calorie, high quality meal replacement product on the market to provide optimal nutrition for the female form!

A comprehensive nutritional strategy that will benefit anyone, from the female Olympian to the highly stressed executive or the housewife just wanting some help getting back in shape after having a baby!

…Pro-Ms is a cutting edge weight management formula originally designed for professional athletes. Easily stirred into a glass of water, it comes in 3 delicious flavours. Each serving provides 25 g of protein, but only 11 g of carbs (2 g sugar), for a total of 160 calories. Only good fats are included; CLA and flax seed oil, -fats that burn fat. It contains natural ingredients that dramatically curbs appetite and stimulate the fat burning process.”

Serving Size 1 Packet (47g) Calories 160 Calories From Fat 20 Fat 2g Saturated Fat 0.5g + Trans Fat 0.5g Cholest. 20mg Sodium 300mg Potassium 400mg Carbohydrates 11g Dietary Fiber 2g Sugars 2g Protein 25g	Vitamin A 1500IU 30% Vitamin D 240IU 60% Niacin 20mg 100% Biotin 180mcg 60% Vitamin C 60mcg 100% Vitamin E 30IU 100% Vitamin B6 61.2mg 60% Pantothenic Acid 6mg 40% Zinc 15mg 100% Calcium 1000mg 100% Magnesium Stearate 300mg 30% Thiamin 0.9mg 60%	Folic Acid 200mcg 50% Phosphorus 900mg 90% Copper 0.8mg 40% Iron 8mg 50% Riboflavin 1mg 60% Vitamin B12 3mcg 50% Iodine 60mcg 40% Chromium 50mcg 40% Manganese 1mg 50% Selenium 30mcg 42% Choline 80mg Molybdenum 60mcg 80%
Ingredients: Pro Ms Proprietary Structured Protein Blend (Whey Protein From High Fraction Concentrate, Milk Protein Cultured With Bifidus, Acidophilus, And Yogurt Organisms, Soy Protein Concentrate, Peptide Bonded Glutamine), Whole Grain Carbohydrate Mix (Fructooligosaccharide, Organic Flax Seed Meal, Rice Meal, Oat Meal), Natural And Artificial Flavors, Vitamins And Minerals (Di-Calcium Phosphate, Di-Potassium Phosphate, Potassium Chloride, Salt, Magnesium Oxide, Choline Bitartrate, Ascorbic Acid, D-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate, Ferrous Fumarate, Niacinamide, Beta Carotene, Zinc Oxide, Calcium Pantothenate, Manganese Sulfate, Vitamin D3, Copper Sulfate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Riboflavin, Thiamin Hydrochloride, Chromium Chloride, Cobalamin Concentrate (Vitamin B12), Folic Acid, Biotin, Sodium Molybdate, Sodium Selenite, Potassium Iodate), Proprietary Feminine Metabolic Fat Blend (Canola Oil, Sunflower Oil, Lecithin, Flax Seed Oil), Proprietary Antioxident/fat Burning Blend (Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), Raspberry Essence, Green Tea Extract, Jojoba Extract, White Kidney Bean Extract, Maitake Mushroom Meal, Omega-3 Fatty Acids), Cellulose Gum, Sucralose.

Comments: I purchased a box of the Vanilla Caramel Pro-MS from bodybuilding.com. A box of 15 packets cost $29.98 US – basically $2.00/serving, which is a fairly standard price for single-serving meal replacement packs.

CNP refers to the shake as “rich” in their write up…actually, when mixed in water according to the directions, I found it to be rather thin. The flavor was good, and the powder dispersed well, but there’s an ingredient in there that simply wouldn’t dissolve properly. I used a spoon, a wire wisk and – finally – a blender (for a full minute, no less)…didn’t matter. Every time I mixed one up, there was a fine, crystalline grit left at the bottom of my glass. It wasn’t unpleasant, I suppose, but noticeable.

Beyond that, Pro-MS has a decent amount of protein, and was reasonably satisfying for only 160 calories. From a basic, macronutrient standpoint, it seems like a good product. I’m a little unsure about the added nutraceuticals, however. It’s an intriguing list, to be sure: CLA, raspberry “essence” (ketones???), green tea extract, and so on. What’s missing, however, is any information about the DOSES of these compounds. This silence makes me suspect they’re largely “label decoration”. For example, the product write up boasts of an “Health promoting, anabolic mix of Canola Oil, Sunflower Oil, Flax Seed Oil, CLA, and Omega-3-Fatty Acid”…ok, but there are only 2 grams of total fat per serving. When you consider the residual fat from the protein sources, this doesn’t leave a whole lot…not nearly enough for any major “health promoting” effects.

So, I’m somewhat “iffy” on this product…it’s tasty enough, but not quite as good as it could be. For what it’s worth, however, if it was a choice between this, and some other mass-market product like Slim Fast, I’d take this one in a heartbeat. It may not be all it’s cracked up to be, but it’s still waaay better than that.

Taste: 2.5/5.0

Quality: 4.0/5.0

Efficacy: 3.0/5.0

Value: 3.0/5.0

Overall: 3.0/5.0

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I first encountered the To Go Brands products at the Natural Products Expo in Boston last October.  The company manufactures portable, single serving, antioxidant-rich drink mixes, designed to be added to a bottle of water (one of the product slogans is “Water’s Best Friend”).  The mixes come in five different varieties: Omega-To-Go, Green Tea Energy Fusion, Berrie Crush Plus C, Acai Natural Energy Boost and Go Greens.

Manufacturer’s Description: Go Greens® ~ A Salad Bar in Every Packet™! Do you get enough fruits and vegetables in your diet? Wish you could carry your fruits and veggies with you wherever you may roam? Now you can with Go Greens®! Made with 15 certified organic fruits & veggies, it has the antioxidant power of 6 servings of fruits & vegetables in just 1 packet! A delicious green apple flavor. It’s Healthy To Go®!

Serving Size 8 grams Calories 32 Calories from Fat 4 Total Fat <1g Saturated Fat 0g Trans Fat 0g Sodium 12mg Potassium 93mg Total Carbohydrates 6g

Dietary Fiber <1g Sugars 1g Protein 1g Vitamin A 2100 IU 41% Vitamin C 28mg 46% Vitamin K 29mcg 36% Calcium 23mg 2% Iron 369mcg 3%

Nature’s Greens Blend 1400mg Barley Grass Juice, Chlorella Nature’s Antioxidant Blend 395mg Isoquercetin/Rutin, Aloe Vera Extract, Marigold Extract (10% lutein with zeaxanthin), Cinnamon Bark, Cinnamon Extract, Blueberry, Green Tea Extract, Grapeseed Extract, Cranberry, Raspberry, Tart Cherry, Pine Bark Extract, Broccoli, Tomato, Carrot, Spinach, Kale, Brussels Sprout, Bilberry, Elderberry, Pomegranate, Blackberry Nature’s Garden Blend 1755mg Apple, Lemon, Carrot, Spinach, Quinoa Sprout, Peach, Kale, Broccoli, Acai, Cranberry Nature’s Super Fruits 305mg Acerola Cherry Extract, Apple Extract, Pomegranate Extract, Mangosteen Extract, Acai Extract Nature’s Fiber Blend 2250mg Rice Bran Soluble, Oat Beta Glucan Nature’s Sea Vegetables 70mg Dunaliella Salina, Atlantic Kelp Nature’s Super Tea Blend 160mg Green Tea Extract, White Tea Extract Lecithin 650mg SteviaLite (Stevia rebaudiana) 205mg Other Ingredients: Natural Flavors (plant-based), Erythritol, Silica (prevents caking), Citric Acid

Comments: I picked up a box of 6 packets at my local Fred Meyer for $7.59 – pricey, although less than what they were selling for on the product web site ($8.95). Netrition.com had the best price, however ($5.99) – so if you’re interested in the product, it’s worth doing some comparison shopping online.

The box claims each packet has an ORAC value of 4000 – which is a pretty solid number. The label, however, suggests that the bulk of this probably comes from added, antioxidant extracts (i.e., green tea extract, grape seed extract, etc.) rather than the vegetable and fruit powders. While this doesn’t matter from your body’s point of view, it’s important to not misinterpret statements like “Antioxidant power of 6 servings of Fruits & Veggies” as “Nutritional power of 6 servings of Fruits & Veggies”. Needless to state, a packet of Go Greens is NOT the equivalent of 6 servings of veggies/fruit w/respect to common vitamins, minerals or fiber. Thus, the slogan on the box, “Salad Bar in Every Packet” needs to be qualified, somewhat.

Nonetheless, Go Greens has its advantages: its low in calories and has no added sugar(s), which makes it a suitable addition to most diets. It also has a pleasant, sweet, fruity flavor that belies the somewhat unappetizing color (sort of a pea-soup green).  Of the green drinks I’ve tried, I thought this was one of the better-tasting ones.

Taste: 4.0/5.0

Quality: 4.5/5.0

Efficacy: 3.0/5.0

Value: 2.5/5.0

Overall: 3.5/5.0

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iSatori is a well-known and respected manufacturer of dietary supplements for building muscle and losing fat.  “Voots” is the company’s first foray into more general use supps.  Designed for kids who don’t eat their vegetables, Voots are antioxidant-rich, chewable ”tarts” made from a range of fruit and vegetable concentrates.

Manufacturer’s Description:  Our idea for Voots came from a kitchen conversation about how hard it was to be sure our young daughters were eating their recommended daily three servings of fruits and vegetables.

We thought… wouldn’t it be great to have a product with all of the nutrients in three servings of fruits and vegetables, and so yummy-tasting our kids would love to eat them every day! We then learned that only 7% of kids eat three servings of fruits and vegetables daily, and we realized lots of kids would benefit from such a product, not just ours.

It took a lot of work to develop Voots for our kids, but we finally got it right, and we’re now happy to share them with your family!

Serving Size 1 packet (2 chewable tarts) Calories 12 Total Fat 0g

Total Carbohydrate 3g Dietary Fiber <1g Sugars 0g

Voots Proprietary Fruit and Vegetable Blend (ORAC 1,250 umol/TE/g) 550mg Grape Seed Extract, Apple Powder, Cranberry Powder, Orange Powder, Prune Powder, Raspberry Powder, Strawberry Powder, Blueberry Powder, Carrot Root, Sweet Potato, Zucchini, Green Beans Glycine 10mg Other Ingredients: Sorbitol, Erythritol, Evaporated Cane Juice, Maltodextrin, Natural Mixed Berry Flavor, Citric Acid, Stearic Acid, Sodium Bicarbonate, Potassium Bicarbonate, and Silica (food additive)

Comments:: I ordered a box of Voots direct from iSatori…a box of 24 tarts was $9.99 (12 serving packets). Each tart is roughly the same diameter as a nickel. They’re crunchy and quite sweet, with an intense, berry-like fruit flavor. I thought they were pretty good and kid-friendly, although to be on the safe side, I confirmed this with my kids. At 19 and 16, they aren’t really part of the target demographic for Voots, but they’re still uncivilized enough to be suspicious of “healthy” stuff.

Voots passed the test.

From the look of the label, I suspect that a large percentage of the claimed ORAC value comes from the grape seed extract (GSE) vs. the fruit and veggie powders. There’s nothing really wrong with that, per se: GSE is good stuff.  Nonetheless, this means that VOOTS isn’t the full, nutritional equivalent of three servings of fruits and veggies…they’re missing a lot of the fiber, vitamin C, minerals and other trace nutrients normally found in plant foods.  Still, if your kids refuse to eat their veggies, VOOTS can provide some antioxidant punch.  As such, they’re a handy, kid-tested supp to have around the house.

Taste: 4.5/5.0

Quality: 5.0/5.0

Efficacy: 3.0/5.0

Value: 3.0/5.0

Overall: 4.0/5.0

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Genisoy bills itself as “the #1 soy company in the US.”  Certainly it’s one of the most visible: Genisoy products are mainstreamed into grocery stores throughout the country.  The product line is diverse, and divided between shakes/protein powders, snacks (chips, crisps, soynuts/trail mix) and bars.  The bars come if four varieties: Ultra, Protein Crunch, Organic and Regular.  There six flavors of the latter: Cookies and Cream, Creamy Peanut Yogurt, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Crispy Chocolate Mint, Chunky Peanut Butter Fudge and Cafe Mocha Fudge.

Manufacturer’s Description: Help get your body through your busy day with the complete nutrition of Genisoy Soy Protein Bars. With 20 vitamins and minerals, folic acid and 14 grams of soy protein, you’ll have the complete nutrition that you need to finish the day, deliciously, economically and conveniently. Delight your taste buds with six unique Genisoy flavors dipped in creamy yogurt or rich chocolate. Great taste and good sense come together in Genisoy.

Serving Size 1 Bar (61.5g) Calories 240 Fat Calories 60 Total Fat 6g Sat. Fat 3g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 200mg Total Carb 33g Dietary Fiber 2g	Sugars 19g Protein 14g Vitamin A 10% Vitamin C 10% Calcium 10% Iron 15% Vitamin E 10% Thiamin 15% Riboflavin 15% Niacin 10%	Vitamin B6 10% Folate 15% Biotin 10% Pantothenic Acid 10% Phosphorus 15% Iodine 10% Zinc 15% Selenium 15% Copper 30%
Ingredients: Genisoy Blend (Soy Protein Isolate, Soy Crisps [Soy Protein Isolate, Tapioca Starch, Salt], Alkalized Cocoa Powder, Sugar, Peanut Butter, Chocolate Cookie Pieces [Wheat Flour, Sugar, Canola Oil, Cocoa Processed with Alkali, Salt, Baking Soda],Roasted Soy Nuts, Canola Oil, Corn Starch), Corn Syrup, Chocolate-Flavored Coating (Sugar, Palm Kernel Oil, Cocoa Powder, Whey Powder, Skim Milk Powder, Soy Lecithin [an Emulsifier], Natural Vanilla Flavor), Two Percent or Less of the Following: Water, Natural Flavors, Tricalcium Phosphate, Ascorbic Acid [Vitamin C], Almond Butter, Wheat Germ, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin E Acetate, Niacinamide, Zinc Oxide, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Pantothenate, Vitamin A Palmitate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride [Vitamin B6], Thiamin Mononitrate, Riboflavin, Folic Acid, Biotin, Potassium Iodide, Cyanocobalamin [Vitamin B12].

Comments: I picked up the Crispy Chocolate Mint, Chocolate Fudge Brownie and Chunky Peanut Butter Fudge bars at the store for the on-sale price of $0.97 each. Each bar contains 12.5 g soy protein per serving; half of the 25 g/day of soy protein determined to reduce cholesterol and cardiovascular disease risk.

The bars proved to be flat, dense and chewy.  It thought they were pretty good, for the most part.  I liked the Chocolate Fudge Brownie bar; and the Crispy Chocolate Mint tasted just like a chewy, bar version of a York Peppermint Patty.  On the other hand, the Chunky Peanut Butter Fudge tasted sweet, but odd – and not the least bit “peanutty.”

So two out of three…not bad, overall.

Each bar supplies small, but significant amounts of the major vitamins and minerals, as well as 14 – 15 g total protein.  Although not specifically low cal or low sugar, Genisoy bars contain considerably less fat and sugar than most candy bars.  For example, for roughly the same number of cals, a (2.2 oz) Genisoy bar supplies 6 – 7 g fat and 18 – 19 g sugar, whereas a (2.1 oz) Milky Way has 10 g fat and 35 g sugar…quite a difference.

While I wouldn’t make a habit out of eating Genisoy bars (there are better ways to get soy protein, if desired), they could certainly be used on occasion to satisfy a sweet tooth, or as an on-the-go snack.

Taste: 3.5/5.0

Quality: 3.5/5.0

Efficacy: 3.5/5.0

Value: 4.0/5.0

Overall: 3.5/5.0

 

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The Promise line of functional, “heart-healthy” products is manufactured by Unilever…the parent company of a number of familiar supermarket brands, from Lipton Tea to Wishbone Salad Dressing (not to mention Slim Fast).  There are two kinds of Supershots: one containing plant sterols (to reduce serum cholesterol), the other fortified with potassium (to help control blood pressure).  Each comes in several different fruit flavors…the cholesterol Supershots come in Blueberry, Strawberry, Raspberry and Peach Flavors, while the blood pressure Supershots come in Strawberry-Banana, Mixed Berry and Peach-Apricot.

Manufacturer’s Description: Drink to your health with Promise® SuperShots®, great tasting, powerful functional shots your body will love.

With natural plant sterols, ingredients clinically proven to help remove cholesterol from your body.

Essential, heart healthy fruit blends which provide a good source of potassium in a convenient 3 fl oz serving*. Potassium can help flush sodium from the body.

Serving Size 1 bottle (100ml) Calories 70 Calories from Fat 30 Total Fat 3.5g Saturated Fat 0g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 0mg Sodium 30mg Total Carbohydrate 8g Dietary Fiber <1g

Sugars 8g Protein 1g Vitamin A 10% Vitamin C 0% Calcium 4% Iron 0% Vitamin E 10% Vitamin B6 35% Vitamin B12 20%

Ingredients: Water, Cultured Nonfat Milk, Sugar, Plant Sterol Esters (Soy), Blueberry Juice (Water, Blueberry Juice Concentrate), Canola Oil, Pectin, Malic Acid, Mixed Tocopherols (used to protect quality), Natural and Artificial Flavors, Tartaric Acid, Red 40, Carrageenan Gum, Guar Gum, Xanthan Gum, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Acetate), Sucralose, Maltodextrin, Vitamin A (Palmitate), Cyanocobalamin (Vitamin B12), Pyridoxine Hydrochloride (Vitamin B6), Blue 1.

Comments: I picked up a 4-pack of the cholesterol-lowering Activ Supershots at my local Fred Meyer store for $3.50. They’re tiny bottles…100 ml is less than half a cup. Thus, “shot” is the correct term, as you can get the entire thing down in about 2 gulps.

I purchased the blueberry-flavored Supershots.  These were tasty enough: fruity and sweet, with a slight yogurt “tang.” According to the product label, each shot supplies 2g of natural plant sterols per serving – an amount approved by the American Heart Association as a “therapeutic option” for lowering LDL (”bad”) cholesterol.

However, the $64,000 question is: will a regular intake of phytosterol-fortified foods actually reduce one’s risk of heart disease?  There is surprisingly little data on this point, and some cautions have recently been raised.  According to a review published in the European Heart Journal, increased serum sterol concentrations may be an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.  However, no adverse health effects have been reported from the consumption of plant sterols, to date.

The “blood pressure” Supershots are also questionable, as it’s clear this claim is based solely on the potassium content.  Each shot provides 350mg: which is a decent, but not outstanding amount (only 7 1/2% of the recommended daily intake of 4700mg).  To be blunt, you can get more potassium from ordinary food sources, such as a medium banana (420mg), a small (4 oz) sweet potato (540mg) or a glass of orange juice (450mg).  For the same 50 calories, a cup of low sodium V-8 will supply more than twice as much (820mg per 8 oz serving)…not to mention more nutrients, overall.

Taste: 5.0/5.0

Quality: 3.0/5.0

Efficacy: 2.5/5.0

Value: 2.0/5.0

Overall: 3.0/5.0

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Yoplait yogurt is a familar sight in most US grocery stores.  Owned by mega-food corporation General Mills, the product line has jumped on the “digestive health” bandwagon with YoPlus+ – a probiotic/pre-biotic fiber product.  YoPlus+  is sold in single-serving 4-packs, and comes in 7 flavors: Strawberry, Cranberry-Raspberry, Blackberry-Pomegranate, Blueberry-Acai, Vanilla, Cherry and Peach.

Manufacturer’s Description: Yo-Plus has a special combination of probiotic cultures and fiber, plus vitamins A and D.  In fact, Yo-Plus cultures are clinically proven to help naturally regulate digestive health.  And with creamy, delicious flavors…it has the great taste you expect from Yoplait…Just one cup of Yo-Plus every day will help your body keep its digestive balance.

Serving Size: 1 container (113g) Calories 110 Calories from Fat 10 Total Fat 1.5g Saturated Fat 1g Trans Fat 0g Cholesterol 10mg Sodium 70mg Potassium 190mg	Total Carbohydrate 21g Dietary Fiber 3g Sugars 16g Protein 4g Vitamin A 10% Vitamin D 10% Calcium 15% Phosphorus 10%
Ingredients: Cultured Pasteurized Grade A Reduced Fat Milk, Sugar, Chicory Root Extract (Inulin), Modified Corn Starch, Blackberries, Nonfat Milk, Whey Protein Concentrate, Pomegranate Juice Concentrate, Kosher Gelatin, Natural Flavor, Colored with Beet Juice and Grape Juice Concentrates, Tricalcium Phosphate, Citric Acid, Pectin, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3

Comments: I picked up a 4-pack of the Blackberry-Pomegranate YoPlus+ at my local Fred Meyer for $2.47…approx. $0.62 per serving.  Each cup holds 4 oz (1/2 cup)…less than regular Yoplait (6 oz), which – at the time I purchased it – was selling for $0.50 each.  Thus, YoPlus+ is more expensive than the “standard issue” stuff.

What’s the difference between the two?  According to the “Fact Sheet for Health Professionals” available from the product web site, one serving of YoPlus+…

“…provides at least one billion (10⁹) live and stable Bb-12 through the end of shelf life. Yo-Plus also provides the same amount of S. thermophilus and L.bulgaricus as one cup of Yoplait yogurt.”

One serving of YoPlus+ also provides 3g of inulin, a prebiotic fiber that supports the growth of the probiotic bacteria in the digestive tract.  Thus, YoPlus+ is a sort of “enhanced” version of Yoplait.  It’s interesting to note, however, that the product recommendations are based on studies of the Bb-12 culture – NOT on YoPlus+ itself…unlike Danone (Dannon) – the manufacturers of Activia – General Mills does not report any product clinical studies.  This may be significant, as the number of cfus (colony-forming units) provided by YoPlus+ may be different from Activia.

For what it’s worth, if I were purchasing a product for health reasons, I’d prefer one with direct, primary research underlying its claims.

Nonetheless, I thought YoPlus+ was quite tasty: fruity, creamy and smooth.  It’s not quite diet-fare, however, as it contains added sugars (beyond the naturally-occurring lactose in milk) which provide unnecessary calories. It’s unfortunate that – unlike Activia (again!) – YoPlus+ doesn’t come in either “light,” “plain,” or multi-serving containers…which would make it more healthful  AND economical (on a per serving basis).

Taste: 5.0/5.0

Quality: 4.0/5.0

Efficacy: 3.0/5.0

Value: 2.5/5.0

Overall: 3.5/5.0

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