Claims Check
Supplement brands make bold claims — "boosts energy", "extends lifespan", "reduces biological age". We take these claims at face value and check what the evidence actually supports: studies, EFSA assessments, and regulatory reality.
19 claims reviewed.
"Ashwagandha eliminates stress and lowers your cortisol permanently"
RCTs confirm cortisol reductions of 14–27% during supplementation. Effects reverse after stopping. 'Permanent elimination of stress' is unsupported by any study.
"Berberine is the natural Ozempic"
Berberine is marketed as 'natural Ozempic', but its evidence base and effect sizes are incomparable to those of the GLP-1 drug semaglutide.
"Boron is a meaningless trace mineral with no effect"
Boron is not a classically essential element, but studies show influences on vitamin D, hormones, and inflammation that contradict the 'no effect' claim.
"Taking supplements with coffee is pointless — coffee blocks everything"
Coffee significantly reduces iron absorption and modestly affects calcium. For vitamin D, omega-3, magnesium, or creatine, no relevant coffee interaction has been established.
"Collagen actually works"
For skin-related endpoints there are modest clinical signals. As a general beauty or rejuvenation supplement, collagen is not convincingly supported by the evidence.
"Creatine is only for muscles"
False. Creatine is most strongly supported for physical performance, but is also studied for cognitive function, ageing, and specific dietary contexts such as vegan diets.
"Our curcumin is natural ibuprofen — same effect, no side effects"
Curcumin shows signals in selected study settings, but the evidence base is small, inconsistent, and highly formulation-dependent. Equating it with ibuprofen is unsupported.
"Filtered coffee is better for your heart than espresso — because of cholesterol"
Paper-filtered coffee contains substantially less cafestol and kahweol than most unfiltered brewing methods. Studies show differences in LDL-related markers, without constituting an approved EU claim.
"Glycine is non-essential — so it's unimportant"
Glycine is synthesisable, but research shows functional deficits without adequate dietary intake. 'Non-essential' does not mean 'unimportant'.
"L-theanine helps with stress"
L-theanine shows signals for subjective calm and attention, but the evidence is not robust enough to support broad everyday stress-reduction claims.
"Magnesium helps you sleep"
Evidence for small benefits exists in certain groups, but there is no robust evidence for a general sleep benefit from magnesium supplementation.
"NMN activates your longevity genes and extends your lifespan"
Animal studies on NMN are scientifically interesting; human trials are far weaker and measure no lifespan extension. The claim goes well beyond available evidence.
"Omega-3 makes you smarter and increases your IQ"
Omega-3 is important for normal brain function, but marketing claims of intelligence or IQ enhancement are not supported scientifically or by EU health claim regulations.
"Psyllium husks are just a natural laxative"
Psyllium husks are not just a fibre for constipation. Meta-analyses show LDL reductions of 5–10% and effects on postprandial glucose. An EU cholesterol claim is approved.
"Is saffron worth the price for health alone?"
Saffron is not pure hype: small human trials show positive signals. But the evidence is not strong enough to justify a blanket claim that the premium price is clearly worth it for health alone.
"In Germany, people are well supplied with selenium"
Selenium-poor soils and relatively low dietary intakes suggest that describing selenium supply in Germany as broadly 'good' is inaccurate. Individual status assessment matters.
"The 2023 Science study proves taurine makes humans live longer"
The Singh et al. Science study was scientifically notable but provides no human evidence for lifespan extension. Taurine remains a promising but unproven longevity ingredient.
"Vitamin D is fat-soluble — without fat it's completely ineffective"
Vitamin D is fat-soluble, but even without added fat a proportion is absorbed. Fat-free intake is less efficient — not zero.
"Zinc only works if you take it first thing in the morning"
Timing is largely irrelevant for zinc absorption; what matters is avoiding co-ingestion with phytate-rich foods or high-dose calcium supplements.