Almased sponsored this post. All opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links, I earn a small commission when you click on the links, at no extra cost to you.
Almased is a meal replacement company founded in Germany in the 1980s. It is now established in multiple countries across the globe. It is a family-run company, operated by the same family that founded it over 30 years ago.
Almased sent me some of their meal replacement powder to try along with information about the 30+ studies that back up the effectiveness of the product.
What is Almased?
Almased is a fermented protein shake made from soy, probiotic yogurt, and honey designed to optimize metabolism. It can be used either as a meal replacement shake or as part of the “Almased diet” for weight loss, metabolism, and blood sugar control.
The meal replacement was created by an alternative practitioner named Hubertus Trouillé to help his patients improve their metabolic health. Trouillé created Almased in his home kitchen, mixing soy, yogurt, and honey to create the perfect recipe.
Almased Ingredients
The primary ingredients in Almased are non-GMO soy, yogurt, and honey. The combination of soy and yogurt creates a complete amino acid profile with all 20 amino acids needed for optimal health. It is also a source of 80 bioactive peptides, which are short amino acid chains that help strengthen the body’s immune system.
The third ingredient is raw honey with high enzymatic activity. It is processed at a low temperature to ensure the enzymes remain intact. The type of honey used in Almased contains at least 8 digestive enzymes, such as amylase and diastase.
Finally, it is a source of 22 essential vitamins and minerals including B12, magnesium, zinc, calcium, and vitamin C.
Almased Nutrition
The serving size listed on the package for Almased is 50 grams or 8 tablespoons. But, the actual recommended serving size is based on your height and weight since it is intended as a meal replacement. The Almased website provides this handy calculator so you can figure out how much you need. For me, I need 11 tablespoons, but you can personalize it to your individual taste. Most people use between 8-10 tablespoons.
The nutrition breakdown for the listed serving size for Almased is:
- Calories: 180
- Fat: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 15g
- Added sugar: 10g
- Protein: 24g
When I first looked at the label, I was a bit taken aback by the 10 grams of added sugar because this product is marketed as helping improve blood sugar. I would typically expect a blood sugar product to have little or no sugar. But, I figured there was a reason for it, so I decided to look into the research a bit more.
I was surprised to find that several studies identify honey as “obesity protective” due to its effect on appetite-regulating hormones leptin and ghrelin. It actually reduces sugar cravings and replacing sugar with honey can help lower blood sugar levels. I was not aware of honey’s positive impact on these hormones. The 10 grams of added sugar is all from the honey, therefore this is not as much of a concern as I had initially thought.
Research
I have worked in the supplement industry for 10+ years and am very aware of the marketing tricks of many of these companies. Most supplement companies use existing research on ingredients to make claims about their product.
For example, they will create a whey protein powder and pull various studies about whey to say that it supports muscle mass or weight loss. While that research MAY apply to their product, the studies cited are rarely on the product itself.
But this is where Almased is different. It has over 30 peer-reviewed studies on the actual product to support the claims. Here is a highlight of some of these studies:
Weight loss
- Studies show significant weight loss and muscle retention.
- Helps overweight individuals burn fat more efficiently.
- Keeps users full longer by reducing hunger hormones like ghrelin.
- Supports satiety and appetite control.
Diabetes and blood sugar
- Lowers insulin and blood sugar levels, making it beneficial for people with type 2 diabetes.
- Has a low glycemic index (27), reducing blood sugar spikes.
Metabolic syndrome
- Helps lower triglycerides, insulin resistance, and waist circumference.
Hormonal effects and muscle growth
- Supports muscle growth when combined with strength training.
- Reduces stress hormone (cortisol), leading to better mood and mental balance.
Bone health
- Helps protect against osteoporosis by reducing calcium loss.
- Supports bone density and overall skeletal health.
Anti-inflammatory
- Soy in Almased acts as an antirheumatic, reducing inflammation in joints.
- Beneficial for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.
After reviewing all of this research, I can honestly say I was impressed. As I mentioned, it is rare to find products that conduct studies on their actual product. Claims are often based on limited research or rely on animal or lab studies. Not only is Almased effective for weight loss and metabolic health but it has been extensively evaluated to show it actually works for real life humans.
Almased Side Effects
There are no significant side effects to report for healthy people taking Almased. It does contain small amounts of lactose from the yogurt, but since the product is fermented those with lactose intolerance may still be able to drink it. It is gluten-free and vegetarian but is not vegan due to the addition of yogurt.
One thing to remember about Almased or any weight loss product is that when it comes to weight loss, calories still count. There is no “magic bullet” where you can just drink a shake and eat whatever you want and lose weight. You still need to be in a calorie deficit. So while Almased can make it easier, you will still need to make an effort to stick with a calorie-reduced diet.
The Almased diet (see below) is a bit restrictive for the first 7 days, but it is a short time to rely on shakes, so it should not be a major concern for most healthy people. I would be cautious if you have a medical condition. Always speak to your healthcare provider to determine what is best for you.
How to Use Almased
While Almased can be used on its own as a protein shake or meal replacement, the benefits are found in using it as part of the “Almased Diet”. The diet is as follows:
- Detox (maximum of 14 days):
- Drink 3 Almased shakes per day, avoiding carbs to reset metabolism.
- Reduce Weight (until desired weight loss is achieved):
- Replace 2 meals with Almased while eating one low-carb meal.
- Focuses on fat burning.
- Promote Energy & Youth (for continual maintenance):
- Transition to one Almased shake + two healthy meals.
- Keeps metabolism optimized.
To make an Almased shake, blend your personalized serving size with 12 fl ounces of dairy or plant-based milk, such as almond or oat, and ice. Almased is a bit gritty so I recommend using a blender similar to this one if you are going to make your shake as it can help reduce some of the grit.
The only downside is that it is fairly bland tasting on its own. When I read reviews the taste was the main complaint. It does taste better when you add berries, coffee, cocoa powder, or cinnamon. They offer many shake recipes to try on their website to improve the flavor.
Final Thoughts on Almased
After looking at the research on the benefits of Almased, I am incredibly impressed. I plan on incorporating it into my daily routine after this review due to the metabolic benefits.
With such high levels of metabolic dysfunction in our society at the moment, we need convenient products that work to improve our health. Almased offers a solution that could help people take control of their well-being with the simple addition of a shake (or shakes) to their routine. Almased stands out as a well-researched, science-backed meal replacement option that supports metabolic health, making it a valuable addition to a balanced lifestyle.
If you want to try Almased for yourself, you can find it on Amazon here.
