The "pink drink," known formally as "Plexus Slim Hunger Control," is a supplement marketed as an appetite suppressant for weight control. The drink comes in powdered form and is mixed with water, then consumed before two daily meals to help reduce your desire to overeat.
But like many fad diet supplements that have come before it, Plexus pink drink is another quick fix that doesn't work for long-term weight control. The supplement does not teach people how to build a sustainable, healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and physical activity. What's also worrisome is that Plexus pink drink, like many dietary supplements, has not been clinically tested for efficacy or third-party tested to show that all ingredients are safe.
What Is the Plexus Pink Drink?
Plexus is a multi-level marketing company that sells supplements marketed to promote weight loss, gut health, skincare, and more. The pink drink refers to a supplement that is a sweet, citrus-flavored powder that's added to water and consumed before meals.
There are many products under the Plexus label, including the well-known Plexus Slim Hunger Control, which contains polydextrose, green coffee bean extract, and chromium polynicotinate. The company's marketing says this product helps reduce hunger, promote weight loss, enhance satiety, and support healthy glucose metabolism. Clinical trials have not supported these statements, so there is no evidence that these claims are true.
Historically, Plexus was called out by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for making unsubstantiated health claims. They have since changed their labels, but continue to make claims that are not backed by science.
The product is sold in the multi-level marketing model and is available online, in some stores, and through Plexus brand ambassadors who earn commissions through sales. The brand ambassadors are not regulated health professionals.
The Plexus website alludes to clinical studies that support the efficacy of its products, but there are no cited references and no links to any published studies. In the absence of studies on Plexus products, the next best alternative is to examine published research on the ingredients in these products to determine safety and effectiveness.
Always check with your healthcare provider before trying any supplement. Some medications can interact with supplements, so making safe choices based on your health and medical conditions is important.
How Do Plexus Weight Management Regimens Work?
The Plexus pink drink is sold as a stand-alone product and is marketed with other products. The "upsell" sales model is a great way for brand ambassadors to make more money. Some of the products sold in conjunction with the Plexus Slim Hunger Control pink drink include:
- Plexus Slim Microbiome Activating: a drink powder that contains prebiotic fiber
- Plexus Meta Burn: A supposed "fat burner"
- Plexus Lean: a high-protein meal replacement shake for weight loss
It's unknown if a specific combination of products works best because it has not been clinically tested. Buying a combination pack of these products costs about $225 per month.
The Plexus pink drink powder alone costs about $100 per month. The packaging instructions suggest dissolving one sachet in 12-20 ounces of water and taking it twice daily before meals.
Plexus Pink Drink Active Ingredients
Plexus Slim Hunger Control
- Calories: 20
- Total Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 6g
Active ingredients:
Chromium: 200mcg
Polydextrose: 6,250mg
Plexus Slim Blend: 531mg (this is made up of green coffee bean extract, garcinia cambogia, alpha lipoic acid, and white mulberry fruit extract.
Other ingredients: Natural flavors, citric acid, stevia, fruit and vegetable juice extract (for color), and silicon dioxide.
Polydextrose
The primary ingredient in Plexus Slim Hunger Control is a soluble fiber called polydextrose. One sachet contains six grams of fiber or about 8% of your daily recommended intake.
Like any fiber, polydextrose can help you to feel full. Studies support the idea that polydextrose supplements decrease the desire to eat and may help you to eat less at meals. However, the fullness is fleeting and doesn't reduce calorie intake much. Another study showed that the actual caloric decrease is only about 50 calories at a meal when 12.5 grams of polydextrose are consumed prior to the meal.
Chromium Polynicotinate
Chromium polynicotinate is a supplement made of chromium combined with niacin. It's touted as a way to balance blood sugar levels and aid weight loss. The study cited as evidence on the Plexus website concludes that chromium provided no significant effect on lipid (fat) or glucose (sugar) metabolism in people without diabetes.
A meta-analysis of chromium supplementation for weight loss looked at 21 clinical trials and found that chromium was associated with some improvements in body composition in subjects with diagnosed obesity/overweight. Researchers concluded that the clinical relevance of chromium as a weight-loss aid remains uncertain and more studies are needed.
Green Coffee Bean Extract
This extract is derived from the unroasted seeds of the coffee plant which contain chlorogenic acid, a noted anti-inflammatory.
Limited rodent and small human studies have shown that the extract may have a modest effect on weight loss, but studies have also been widely criticized by medical experts and the Federal Trade Commission for poor study design.
Garcinia Cambogia
Garcinia cambogia is a diet supplement made from the rind of the garcinia Cambogia fruit (Malabar tamarind), which is native to India and Southeast Asia.
The rind contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which is purported to aid in appetite suppression and weight loss. The NIH states that there is no convincing evidence to support the fact that garcinia cambogia has any effect on weight loss.
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Alpha Lipoic Acid (ALA)
ALA is an antioxidant. A large meta-analysis concluded that ALA supplementation had no effect on waist circumference and only a slight effect on weight. Researchers concluded that ALA supplementation is not a cost-effective therapy for obesity management.
White Mulberry Fruit Extract
This extract is an ingredient with a history of use in Chinese medicine. It is purported to provide a wide range of health benefits, but researchers have reported that strong clinical evidence in humans is lacking.
Safety of Each Ingredient
There is no research or third-party testing on Plexus products, so it is unclear whether they are safe or effective.
One published case study reported adverse effects that were traced back to Plexus products. The researchers reported a case of primary immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP), which is a bleeding disorder. They tied it to a Plexus supplement that contains two potential thrombocytopenia-causing compounds, garcinia cambogia and chromium polynicotinate.
In the absence of an overall safety study for Plexus supplements, here is the safety profile for each ingredient:
- Polydextrose: Studies investigating possible side effects of polydextrose are limited. One study funded by a polydextrose maker DuPont indicated that 4g–12g can be used without adverse side effects such as abdominal pain, bloating, or diarrhea. However, polydextrose is likely a FODMAP, so it may not be tolerated by people with irritable bowel syndrome.
- Chromium: The NIH reports no safety concerns for recommended doses ranging from 20mcg–45mcg/day for adults. At higher doses, reported adverse side effects include headache, diarrhea, constipation, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and hives. Chromium may also interact with certain medications including antacids, corticosteroids, insulin, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and others.
- Green Coffee Bean Extract: Amounts used in studies (up to 200mg/day) have been mostly well-tolerated. Possible side effects may include headaches and urinary tract infections.
- Garcinia Cambogia: Reported adverse events include headache, nausea, and upper GI symptoms. There has been at least one report of serious liver damage attributed to garcinia cambogia supplementation.
- Alpha Lipoic Acid: ALA supplementation is generally well-tolerated with no serious side effects.
- White Mulberry Fruit Extract: There is not enough information to know if supplementation could provide adverse effects.
Diet and Lifestyle Alternatives
Learning to implement a lifestyle that includes a balanced eating plan, physical activity, stress reduction, and plenty of sleep is a healthier approach than using unproven, expensive, and untested supplements like the Plexus pink drink that may do more harm than good.
Here are some ways to promote weight management:
- Use the Dietary Guidelines to inform a nutritious, balanced diet with a variety of foods based on your preferences
- Aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week, as outlined by the Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans
- Reduce stress levels through meditation, exercise, or any positive stress-relief habit that works for you
- Get enough sleep (at least 7 hours per night)
Speak with a healthcare provider to find the best approach to a lifestyle that specifically fits your personal needs. A registered dietitian may be able to provide a customized, sustainable diet to help you achieve your dietary goals.
A Word From Verywell
It can be tempting when trying to lose weight to purchase hyped products with incredible claims for efficacy. But, buyer beware. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. Remember that supplements like the Plexus pink drink can have side effects and may interact poorly with existing medical conditions or medications.
A balanced diet and active lifestyle is a more achievable and sustainable goal compared with quick, unsafe weight loss. Work with a healthcare provider or dietitian instead of investing in multi-level marketing products with no clinical proof of effectiveness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients in Plexus Pink Drink?
The active ingredients are chromium, polydextrose, green coffee bean extract, garcinia cambogia, alpha lipoic acid, and white mulberry fruit extract. The other ingredients include are natural flavors, citric acid, stevia, fruit and vegetable juice extract (for color), and silicon dioxide.
Does Plexus Pink Drink cause weight loss?
It may, if used in conjunction with an overall diet and exercise plan, however, this is likely not a long-term, sustainable, weight management solution. Additionally, the potential risks generally outweigh any conceivable benefits.
Learn More:The Basics of a Balanced Diet
What is an alternative to Plexus Pink Drink?
A healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced eating plan, physical activity, stress reduction, and plenty of sleep is a better choice than a fad diet or unproven supplements. Check out the Dietary Guidelines and aim for at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
Learn More:1-Week Balanced Meal Plan Example
Risks and Benefits of Taking Diet Supplements
