Fact Checked
Medically Reviewed by What is Ensure?
Ensure drink is a nutritional supplement that claims to provide the body with nutrition and energy. Since it does not affect metabolism, it allows users to gain weight if they increase their daily caloric intake. If used as a meal replacement only, it may increase the chances of reducing weight. This is because the daily caloric intake is reduced significantly.[1]
Additionally, Ensure shake is supposedly doctor-recommended due to its balanced nutritional support. Products by this brand are also gluten-free, halal, kosher, and suitable for users with lactose intolerance. There are several variations of this product such as Plus, Enlive, High Protein, Light, Compact, and Original Nutrition Powder. Available flavors include milk chocolate, vanilla, dark chocolate, strawberry, coffee latte, café mocha, mixed berry, mixed fruit, and berry freeze among others.
Ensure – Health Insiders Images
Ensure – Quick Facts & Specs
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*All the prices listed here are as they appear on their websites and are subject to change.
Ensure Nutrition is a meal replacement shake designed to provide complete, balanced nutrition to the body to stay strong and active.
- Form:Powder
- Type:Supplements
- Benefit:Provides balanced nutrition to the body
- Phone & Address:1-800-986-8501
- Brand:Ensure
- Uses:Support digestive health and helps in fast metabolism.
- Price:$35.96*
- Active Ingredients:Corn Syrup, Corn Maltodextrin, Sugar, Corn Oil, Sodium Caseinate, Soy Protein Isolate, Calcium Caseinate
Ensure Pros & Cons
- May supplement the body with a balanced nutrition
- May be used to replace breakfast or lunch
- May support weight loss
- May support weight gain
- May replenish the body’s mineral reserves
- May cause allergic reactions as it contains soy
- Results are individualized, what works for one user may not work for another
- May not be suitable for users with medical complications
- Some ingredients may cause mild or severe side effects
How Does Ensure Work?
All Ensure protein drink variations play different roles. If you are looking to gain weight, the original Ensure and Ensure Plus supplement is the best product to purchase. These two drinks contain 350 calories per 8 ounces, making them suitable for bulking up. In case you want to lose weight, the Ensure Original or Ensure Active Light is your best shot. These products have 220 calories per 8 ounces and 70 calories per 8 ounces respectively.
Is Ensure Good for You?
Yes, this product may be good as it is backed by doctors. However, we cannot take the brand’s word for it. Let’s take a look at the ingredients present in this product.
What Science Does Ensure Ingredients Deploy?
Corn maltodextrin – digestible maltodextrins are low-sweet saccharide polymers that contain D-glucose. Maltodextrins are rapidly absorbed in the small intestines. In a review in the journal of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, maltodextrins which are carbohydrates extracted from botanical extracts, are considered to be a good source of energy. This extra energy is used in various metabolic processes in the body.[2]
Soy protein isolate – soy protein is considered a complete protein that provides an abundant source of dietary protein. It contains numerous amino acids and macronutrients.Nutritional intervention studies published in the International Journal of Medical Sciences found that soy protein may reduce body weight, fat mass, and plasma cholesterol.[3] Soy protein was also claimed to have the ability to reduce body fat accumulation while improving insulin resistance.
Canola oil – this is a vegetable oil extracted from the canola plant. It has numerous health benefits which explain its popularity in diets. A review study in the journal of Nutrition Reviews provides that canola oil reduces plasma cholesterol levels, improves insulin sensitivity, improves coronary heart disease, and enhances energy metabolism.[4]
Sodium – sodium is an essential element required by the body in small amounts. High sodium consumption raises blood pressure increases the risk of stroke and heart disease. An author manuscript in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology claims that sodium is essential for cellular homeostasis and physiological function.[5] According to the study, sodium can adversely affect target organs such as the brain, heart, kidneys, and blood vessels.
Sugar – this ingredient is used widely to add flavor to food, drinks, and supplements thus increasing their consumption. However, excess sugar is harmful to health. According to a study in the BMJ Open journal, excessive consumption of sugars in the human diet is associated with coronary heart disease, type 2 disease, obesity, and other elements of the metabolic syndrome.[6]
How are Ensure Reviews?
Ensure reviews are generally positive. On the official website, Ensure high protein received an overall rating of 4.6 stars. Most users were happy with the delicious taste and nutrition content of the product. Users, especially the elderly who are unable to eat solid foods, found this product convenient and healthy. Negative reviews were from users who did not appreciate the sugar content of the product.
Ensure Original Nutrition Powder Review – Complete Ingredients?(Video Credit: YouTube)
Final Verdict
Ensure is a nutritious shake that claims to improve weight loss, weight gain, and overall health. It contains beneficial ingredients that may enable it to work as advertised according to the Ensure nutrition facts.
So, is Ensure good for you? Yes, this ready-to-drink supplement may provide you with all the nutrients to achieve your health and weight goals. For users intending to bulk up, the Ensure calories together with a high-calorie diet may help you gain the required weight.[7]
Additionally, it claims to be doctor recommended, making it more credible than its competitors. There are different variations that serve users’ unique needs. If you are wondering, can kids drink Ensure? The answer is yes if they are 4 years of age and over.
If this supplement appeals to you, you can get it from the official site. If not, there are plenty of alternatives online that you can select from.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Does Ensure Help You Gain Weight?
A: Yes, if taken together with food rich in calories. Ensure and Ensure plus vanilla is designed to support weight gain.
Q: Is Ensure Good for Diabetics?
A: Yes, but not all Ensure products are suitable for diabetes. Ensure Diabetes Care is diabetic-specific nutrition that claims to manage blood glucose levels and healthy weight.
Q: Is Ensure a Meal Replacement?
A: Yes, this product can serve as a meal replacement as it is packed with various nutritious vitamins and minerals.
Q: Are there Side Effects for Ensure?
A: While this product is claimed to have natural ingredients, it may also cause Ensure to drink side effects such as diarrhea, constipation, and vomiting.
Q: Where Can You Buy Ensure?
A: You can purchase this product from the company’s official website or retailer websites.
Q: How Do You Use Ensure Powder?
A: You can use Ensure drink nutrition as occasional meal replacements for breakfast or lunch or between-meal snacks. 2 shakes a day is a maximum provided by the brand. According to the manufacturer, exceeding the dosage may cause complications related to the consumption of too much protein.
Q: How Much Does Ensure Cost?
A: A case of 24 Ensure plus weight gain, 8 fl oz bottles cost $35.96.
Q: How Does Ensure Compare to Other Similar Products?
A: Similar to other meal replacement shakes, Ensure packs highly nutritious ingredients to support the body when a proper meal cannot be prepared. However, unlike other products in the market, this shake claims to be doctor recommended.
Q: Can You Drink Ensure While Pregnant?
A: Yes, Ensure products are suitable for pregnant and nursing women. It is advisable for these women to consult their health care providers before purchasing this drink and if they want to drink more than the approved 1 serving per day.
Q: Does Ensure Really Help Weight Loss?
A: Yes, Ensure original nutrition shake can help users lose weight. If used with a low-calorie diet, users may realize their weight goals.
Q: Is Ensure Gluten-Free?
A: No, Ensure has low gluten thus making it unsuitable for users with severe gluten intolerance.
Q: Is Ensure Dairy Free?
A: Ensure plant-based protein nutrition shake is dairy-free, soy-free, vegan-friendly, non-GMO, gluten-free, and lactose-free. It is available in Ensure vanilla and chocolate flavors.
Q: Does Ensure Cause Constipation?
A: Yes, Ensure protein shakes may cause side effects such as nausea, constipation, and flatulence.
YOU CAN ALSO READ – Ka’Chava Meal Replacement Shake Review – The All In One Superfood
7 Sources
Health Insiders relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.
[1] Bo S, Musso G, Beccuti G, Fadda M, Fedele D, Gambino R, et al. (2014) Consuming More of Daily Caloric Intake at Dinner Predisposes to Obesity. A 6-Year Population-Based Prospective Cohort Study. PLoS ONE 9(9): e108467. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0108467
[2] Hofman DL, van Buul VJ, Brouns FJ. Nutrition, Health, and Regulatory Aspects of Digestible Maltodextrins. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2016 Sep 9;56(12):2091-100. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2014.940415. PMID: 25674937; PMCID: PMC4940893
[3] Petersen KS. The Dilemma With the Soy Protein Health Claim. J Am Heart Assoc. 2019 Jul 2;8(13):e013202. doi: 10.1161/JAHA.119.013202. Epub 2019 Jun 27. PMID: 31242789; PMCID: PMC6662348.
[4] Lin L, Allemekinders H, Dansby A, Campbell L, Durance-Tod S, Berger A, Jones PJ. Evidence of health benefits of canola oil. Nutr Rev. 2013 Jun;71(6):370-85. doi: 10.1111/nure.12033. Epub 2013 May 2. PMID: 23731447; PMCID: PMC3746113.
[5] Mente A, O'Donnell M, Yusuf S. Sodium Intake and Health: What Should We Recommend Based on the Current Evidence? Nutrients. 2021 Sep 16;13(9):3232. doi: 10.3390/nu13093232. PMID: 34579105; PMCID: PMC8468043.
[6] Rippe JM, Angelopoulos TJ. Relationship between Added Sugars Consumption and Chronic Disease Risk Factors: Current Understanding. Nutrients. 2016 Nov 4;8(11):697. doi: 10.3390/nu8110697. PMID: 27827899; PMCID: PMC5133084.
[7] Calories: Total Macronutrient Intake, Energy Expenditure, and Net Energy Storeshttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK218769/
Health Insiders Team
The Health Insiders Team takes pride in bringing you the latest in nutritional research, skincare, healthy living, and wellness hacks. Together our researchers... [Read Full Bio]
Girlene Coughlin, RD, LD, CPT
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Ensure Reviews - Good product
Ensure powder was actually recommended by my Doctor, the product is good I am feeling the difference after taking Ensure protein powder.