‘Make informed choices’: Lifestyle Medicine expert on Bloom Nutrition social media trend

Key takeaways:

• Bloom Nutrition products are not third-party tested.
• Patients should understand key labeling information to make informed decisions.

The global Dietary Supplements Market is worth over $152 billion, and the diet industry comes to estimate a soaring $299 billion for weight loss.

As a Lifestyle Medicine specialist, I always have to be mindful of tricks of the industry. Marketing claims for supplements, powders and diets can often overpromise on health claims and underdeliver. Most of the time, a single person’s compelling, emotional story is the hook for most people, and when paired with an influencer’s story, the science and true results get hidden.

Over the last few months, Bloom products have captured much interest on social media, specifically TikTok and Instagram. Cofounder, Mari Llewellyn, says she lost 90 lbs by turning to health and wellness and found self-love and has achieved her best self. However, she does not go into depth on her weight-loss journey or the lifestyle steps she took to reach those results. Often, it takes more than a powder or supplement but instead better food choices and more exercise. This can be deceiving for young people or any uninformed consumer of social media.

Melissa Mondala

Throughout the 21st century, trends have come and gone, with “super greens,” protein powders and collagen among them, often marketed with hopes of a magical cure. These ingredients are not typically standalone wonder ingredients but instead complement positive lifestyle pillars such as consistent whole-food plant-based eating, exercise, restorative sleep and the implementation of healthy stress coping techniques.

Bloom comes in fruity colors like pink, purple and mint, almost resembling candy colors. Flavors are oddly contrary to what you would consider to be healthy. It’s catchy and appealing flavors like iced coffee, blueberry cheesecake, cinnamon bun and cookies and cream are made from harmful additives. Despite their claims of “no artificial coloring,” the fine print of “other ingredients” includes artificial flavors, guar gum, xanthum gum and acesulfame potassium which are shown through research studies to increase intestinal permeability, otherwise known as leaky or inflamed gut. Additionally, whey isolate protein powders are often linked to constipation, dysbiosis and inflammation.

What’s actually inside

Their signature product is Bloom Nutrition Greens & Superfoods powders whose labeling of “Dairy Free,” “Gluten Free” and “Plant-based’ may be positive on first look. However, upon checking the ingredients, there is nothing extraordinarily potent or efficacious.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends daily fiber intake of at least 25 g for women up to age 50 years and 38 g for men up to age 50 years. One serving of Bloom Nutrition Greens & Superfoods powder contains only 1.6 g of fiber. I would rather have my patients take 2 tbsp of ground flaxseed (5.6 g of fiber) or eat an apple with skin, which is 4.5 g. Real, whole foods are more nutrient dense compared with ground powders. I tell my patients to use blenders and food processors if they want a softer or liquid texture ... at least then they know what it’s made of! It’s important to check the labels on whole and packaged foods or supplements to ensure you are getting what you paid for.

“Dairy-free” is a true statement for the Bloom Nutrition Greens and Superfoods powder because they aren’t sneaking in whey protein or casein or adding a lactase enzyme, which I have seen in proclaimed “healthy” snack bars or blends.

“Gluten-free” is a questionable claim because some wheat grass contains gluten.

Brands tend to sensationalize their health benefits with keywords on the front label, but the nutritional facts show many deficiencies. The claims “supports gut health, relieves bloat, promotes energy” are not always true. First, some users have reported worsening bloating and the amount of pre- and probiotics don’t show significant value because it’s measured in milligrams rather than billions. According to an article published in Clinical Gastroenterology and Hepatology, the most common side effects are brief and include gas and bloating. One probiotic is not always appropriate for everyone or every type of digestive symptom; unique medical conditions require evaluation by a physician who is comfortable with probiotic use. Probiotics are supplemental and are not substitutes for conventional therapies, and gut health is more complex than adding a super greens powder but is deeply connected to our nervous system, stress levels, physical activity, sleep, toxins, alcohol and foods.

The true scientific way to determine a “superfood” is to use a 1991 rating tool called the Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity (ORAC), which was created by scientists from the National Institute on Aging and the USDA. The highest ORAC score is seen in spices such as cloves, sage and mustard seed. The highest ORAC-rated fruits are goji berries, black raspberries and Indian gooseberry. I’m sure not enough native herbs, fruits and vegetables have been tested, but this is a more accurate way of checking a food’s antioxidant potential. Overall, don’t rely on a packaged powder to give you what you need for a healthy gut, mind or immune system! Antioxidant-rich foods come in the form of whole vegetables, fruits, beans, nuts and seeds. Herbs are also useful.

Digestive enzymes have been shown to increase gastric digestion and help break down powder. However, because humans make digestive enzymes, like amylase, naturally, the average person does not require supplementation. Studies show digestive enzymes increase gastric digestion and help break down protein. Pineapple, papaya, mango, honey, kiwi, avocados and bananas all have natural digestive enzymes. Soaking seeds, grains, legumes and enjoying fermented foods can also increase digestive enzymes. The simplest way to increase digestive enzymes is to eat slower and reduce talking or thinking about stressful topics during meals.

As for Bloom’s other products, their pre-workout blend includes packaging claims that are too good to be true. It states “sugar-free,” but it has other ingredients listed, such as “sucralose,” which is a synthetic organochlorine sweetener. Studies have shown sucralose can negatively impact glucose and insulin, as well as gut flora, while being a potential migraine trigger. This often leads to an increase in loose stools and bloating. Therefore, this particular powder is potentially harmful for someone who already suffers from digestive symptoms, diabetes or headaches.

Bottom line

Powders are ultraprocessed and often have low levels of fiber, antioxidants and minerals. Bloom is not third-party tested or screened for toxins such as cadmium or lead, which negatively impact the gut, brain and immune system.

Always look for independent third-party testing, for example the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) — a scientific, nonprofit organization that sets federally recognized public standards of quality for medicines, dietary supplements and foods.

Quality matters, and getting the facts right means understanding the following label information.

1. Suggested use and serving size. Check if there is a number of tablets or capsules suggested to get the performance and potency of ingredients the bottle states.
2. Supplement facts panel. Check this list of individual ingredients contained in each serving size to positively confirm the identity and purity of each ingredient.
3. % Daily value. This indicates the Daily References Value (RDV) of a dietary ingredient that is in a serving of the product. The USP tests the potency or strength of each ingredient, and it should match what is declared on the label.
4. Expiration date. The USP requires participants to provide an expiration date, which is very important for safety and potency verification.
5. Cautions and warnings. Every dietary supplement or powder needs to be approached with caution because not everyone will have a positive experience and certain populations may be at risk, such as pregnant patients, women of reproductive age, people with other health conditions or those taking medications.

Encourage patients to be cautious and not jump on the latest trend but instead do their best to make informed choices. Patients should always consult with their physician or registered dietitian, who has adequate training and expertise to guide them.

For more information:

Dr. Mondala is a lifestyle medicine intensivist; president of Dr. Lifestyle Clinic; core faculty of Lifestyle Medicine Fellowship at Loma Linda University and lifestyle medicine director at Rheumission. To learn more about her nutritional reviews of food products, visit @drmelissaskitchen on YouTube, Instagram and Facebook.

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• Superfoods or Superhype? https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/superfoods/. Accessed Feb. 16, 2024.