Fit Healthy Momma Rating: 9.5/10
Opti-Reds 50 is a powerful antioxidant packed with 50 hand-selected fruits, vegetables and herbs, blended flawlessly together to produce a delicious reds powder supplement with no artificial flavors, sweeteners, colors or preservatives. It has shown to help quench free radical production, optimize nitric oxide production in the body, and support metabolism at the cellular level.
I am a registered dietitian who is passionate about finding and sharing information on the healthiest and most impactful foods and supplements. My passion started after my own health transformation.
You see, I not only have professional knowledge but my own personal health and weight loss story. I lost 50 pounds and transformed my health when I started focusing on eating foods that nourished my body. I didn’t just lose weight though; my mood, asthma, and seasonal allergies also improved.
Because I know how crucial certain nutrients are, I look for ways to add them into my diet. Opti-Reds 50 is one beneficial supplement option when you are looking to add critical, dense-nutrients to your diet. This article explains everything you need to know about this supplement (from a USA brand), as I highlight important ingredients, safety, benefits, and if it's worth it for you.
Quick Summary of Opti-Reds 50 Review
Product: | Opti-Reds 50 |
Best for: | Powerful Antioxidant |
Brand: | 1st Phorm |
Founders: | Andy Frisella, Chris Klein |
Website: | |
Price: | $64.99 for 1x purchase, or $54.99 if you subscribe |
Discounts/Coupons: | FREE Shipping with this link (must be first order) |
Subscription Option: | |
Avg. User Rating: | 4.9/5 |
FHM Rating: | 9.5/10 |
What Is Opti-Reds 50?
Opti-Reds 50 is a supplement made by 1st Form. 1st Form (learn about the brand) provides a variety of supplements like their greens powder, creatine, collagen, antioxidants, and probiotics. Opti-Reds 50 is their antioxidant supplement in powder form. To use, you simply mix the powder with water and drink it.
This supplement ingredients list includes 50 antioxidant-rich fruits, vegetables, and herbs. According to extensive research, the antioxidants found in Opti-Reds 50 are vital for optimal health. Let’s break down the research on a few of the ingredients in Opti-Reds 50.
Important Ingredients Analysis
Each nutrient-dense chewable tablet is made with a blend of 12 organic fruits and veggies including broccoli, beets, apples, and carrots to provide 15 essential vitamins and minerals.
Dark Leafy Greens
Opti-Reds 50 contains spinach and kale as well as extra quercetin. These antioxidant-rich dark leafy greens are important for our immune system and may reduce the risk of many chronic diseases. While it is important to consume these greens as part of a healthy diet, Opti-Reds 50 can be helpful when combined with a balanced diet.
Kale and spinach are two dark leafy green ingredients in this supplement. They are high in the antioxidants like Quercetin, Kaempferol, vitamin A, and vitamin C as well as vitamin B6, iron, folate, ALA Omega-3, and B vitamins. Below are six benefits of the dark leafy greens found in Opti-Reds 50.
Spinach and Kale Provide Immune Support
Quercetin and kaempferol, found in spinach and kale, support the immune system. According to several studies, quercetin may even reduce the frequency of flu and upper respiratory infections after exercise (1, 2). In one animal study, mice who were given quercetin were significantly less likely to develop the flu and in a different mice study, Quercetin also decreased flu induced oxidative stress by 44% in mice who had the flu (3, 4)
Vitamin C is another immune-supportive vitamin found in kale and spinach. One study showed that regular supplementation of vitamin C decreased the duration of the common cold in adults by 8% and in children by 14% (5). It should be noted that Vitamin C does not appear to prevent the common cold but does appear to shorten the duration.
High Intakes of Quercetin May Decrease the Frequency and Severity of Seasonal Allergies and Asthma
Quercetin and vitamin C also have a positive effect on seasonal allergies and asthma symptoms. In fact, studies show that quercetin may act as a natural antihistamine (6). Another study showed that people who ate foods high in vitamin C, like kale and spinach, had less frequent asthma (7).
Quercetin Provides Protection Against Cancer and Other Chronic Diseases
Quercetin also provides protection against cancer, according to some studies. Thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties, quercetin may reduce the risk of chronic diseases like heart diseases and diabetes as well (8).
Antioxidants like Vitamin C May Help Improve Mood, Depression, and Anxiety
According to research, patients with generalized anxiety disorders had significantly lower levels of Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin E compared to healthy controls. After receiving a supplement containing a combination of these antioxidant vitamins for 6 weeks, these patients’ depression scores significantly improved (9).
Another study found that Vitamin C supplements helped cortisol levels, returned to normal more quickly after people performed a stressful activity (9). Cortisol is the stress hormone in our body.
Vitamin C May Reduce the Risk of Alzheimer’s and Cognitive Decline
High levels of Vitamin C in the blood reduced the risk of cognitive decline by 85% in older adults, and in one observational study, a combination of vitamin E and vitamin C supplementation was associated with a 78% reduction in the prevalence of Alzheimer’s Disease (10, 11, 12).
Vitamin C has Anti-aging Properties
According to extensive research, vitamin C can help protect the skin from the appearance of aging (13). This is yet another benefit to consuming more spinach and kale!
Broccoli
This green flowering vegetable stands alone in this list because it’s not part of the dark leafy green group. However, broccoli, like dark leafy greens, contains crucial antioxidants and is an ingredient in the Opti-Reds 50. Although the antioxidants in broccoli provide similar benefits as the antioxidants in spinach and kale, sulforaphane stands out as a particularly significant anti-cancer antioxidant.
Studies have found that sulforaphane in broccoli may reduce the size and number of some types of cancers by 50-75% (14, 15).
Broccoli is also a good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, ALA Omega-3, and iron and is considered a prebiotic.
Berries
Berries are powerhouses when it comes to antioxidants. Some of the berries in Opti-Reds 50 are raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, elderberries, goji berries, bilberry, cranberry, chokeberry, and acai berries. Berries should be included in our diet at least 2 times a week, yet it’s sometimes difficult to figure out how to include berries into your recipes, especially savory recipes. Moreover, some berries like acai, goji, elderberry, and chokeberries are hard to find in the grocery store. Opti-Reds 50 provides all these berries in one supplement.
Research shows that antioxidants in berries are important for brain function and mood, may reduce the risk of chronic disease and cancer, and supports the immune system. Let’s look at a few study examples.
Berries and the Brain
Studies have linked berries to improved brain function, alertness, and memory. In one placebo-controlled study, older adults who consumed 1 cup of blueberries a day for 90 days saw improvements in their memory and their ability to accurately switch tasks compared to the placebo (16, 17).
Berries and Mood
Vegetable and fruit consumption is also associated with a reduced risk of depression and anxiety, and one study looked at how blueberries, specifically, affected mood. In this study, children’s moods were assessed before and after they consumed a blueberry drink. The participants reported a more positive mood after the drink. Although these results are interesting, more research is needed to determine if antioxidants can improve moods this quickly (18.)
Berries and the Immune System
Elderberry is another berry found in Opti-Reds 50 and is well known for its immune-supportive properties. Based on research, Elderberry may shorten the duration of the flu by 56% when taken within 48 hours of the first symptoms. Like vitamin C, elderberry appears to shorten the duration but does not appear to prevent the common cold and other viruses from occurring (19).
Berries and Cancer Prevention
Berries are high in the anti-cancer antioxidant, anthocyanins. In one human trial, 25 people with colon cancer saw a 7% reduction in cancer growth after they were given bilberry extract for 7 days (20)! In animal studies, raspberries reduced esophageal tumor incidence by 54% and decreased the number of tumors by 62% (21).
It might be difficult to regularly consume all of these beneficial berries on a daily basis. Fortunately, all these berries are included in the ingredients list of Opti-Reds 50.
Herbs
Fresh herbs and spices enhance the flavor of your favorite meals and provide many health benefits. Why? Because herbs contain antioxidants. I always encourage my clients and readers to regularly include fresh herbs and spices in their recipes, but sometimes we need a little more to provide maximal benefits. This is why supplements containing herbs and spices, like Opti-Reds 50, are sometimes helpful. Below are a few herbs found in Opti-Reds 50 and their benefits based on research.
Turmeric
Turmeric is one anti-inflammatory antioxidant herb found in Opti-Reds 50. Studies show that turmeric has anti-cancer properties. In one in vitro study, turmeric decreased the number of abnormal pre-cancerous cells lining the colon by 40% (22).
Turmeric may also help reduce cognitive decline and promote memory and brain function. In India, Alzheimer’s disease prevalence is low. In this area, people tend to eat high amounts of Turmeric. Some researchers have theorized that the low Alzheimer’s prevalence may be, at least in part, due to the high turmeric consumption (23). Animal studies also found that high turmeric consumption slowed cognitive declined and improved memory in animals with Alzheimer’s. Other animal studies showed brain function improvement in mice after a traumatic brain injury. (24).
Turmeric also has antiviral properties and may help reduce the risk and/or symptoms of anxiety (25, 26).
Garlic
Garlic is another herb found in Opti-Reds 50.
Garlic may play a role in our immunities’ ability to fight illnesses, according to a systemic review. In this review, researchers noted that garlic lowered the risk of getting the common cold by 63%. If the participants did get a cold, the duration of the cold was shortened by 70% compared to the placebo groups (27).
According to one meta-analysis of 543,220 participants, garlic may decrease the risk of cancer as well. This article noted that people who ate allium-rich vegetables and herbs (garlic, onion, leeks, and shallots) had a decreased risk of developing stomach cancer when compared to people who rarely ate allium-rich vegetables (28).
Cinnamon
Cinnamon standouts out as an important herb for our immune system. In one study, mice with acute respiratory infections, were divided into two groups- the control and “cinnamon-taking group.” Seventy to one hundred percent of the mice in the cinnamon group survived thier respiratory infections. In the control group, only 20% survived (29).
Cinnamon may also have anti-cancer properties, according to animal and in vitro studies. In these studies, cinnamon blocked the spread of cancer cells and increased the death of cancer cells (30, 31).
Green tea extract
The list of benefits attributed to green tea is substantial.
Green Tea Benefits:
- May reduce the risk of depression and anxiety. One study found that the risk of depression decreased by 51% in those who drank 4 or more cups of green tea a day compared to those who drank zero or one cup per day (32).
- Aid in weight loss. A study found that women who drank green tea for 12 weeks lost more weight compared to women who didn’t (33).
- Reduce the risk of some cancers (34, 35, 36).
Opti Reds 50 Benefits
In this section, we'll take a hard look at the benefits, if you decide this supplement is right for you.
Quench Free Radical Production
The common thread in these Opti-Reds 50 ingredients is antioxidants. Antioxidants are anti-inflammatory and work by reducing free radical oxidation in the body.
Free radicals are unstable molecules that damage the cells in our body by taking electrons from important cells. Antioxidants give free radicals their electrons, sparing our cells from damage.
Free radicals are a byproduct of daily living. They occur after we fight off illnesses, when we excerpt energy through exercise, or when we are exposed to environmental pollutants.
By reducing free radical oxidation, antioxidants reduce the risk of a multitude of conditions:
- Chronic disease, like heart disease, diabetes
- Autoimmune Disease, like Rheumatoid arthritis and Multiple Sclerosis
- Neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s
- Mood disorders, like depression and anxiety
- Frequent illnesses, like the cold and flu
- A variety of cancers
- Severe Asthma and Allergies
- Progressive skin-aging
Support Metabolism
Opti-Reds 50 also contains green tea extract. We noted earlier that green tea extract may aid in weight loss, but another study suggests that green tea may aid in weight loss by specifically increasing metabolism. In this study, green tea increased thermogenesis and 24-hour energy expenditure by 4% (36).
The fiber in the is Opti-Reds 50 also promotes feelings of satiety, which can help with weight loss goals as well.
Chronic inflammation also increases the risk of weight gain, and as we discussed earlier, antioxidants are paramount when it comes to decreasing inflammation. Moreover, getting sick less often and having less chronic pain, more energy, and a more positive mood increases our desire to move and exert energy. This is another way consuming healthy antioxidants promotes weight loss. In other words, we move more and burn more energy when we feel healthy, happy, and energized.
Optimize Nitric Oxide Production
Nitric oxide is produced from nitrate. Nitrates, like antioxidants, are found in the dark leafy greens.
Nitric oxide relaxes and widens blood vessels. This widening of the blood vessel increases blood flow and lowers blood pressure (37).
Nitric oxide may also decrease muscle soreness as well (38).
Nutritional Balance
A balanced diet is a diet containing ample fruits, especially berries; vegetables, especially dark leafy greens; and herbs as well as healthy lean meats or plant-based proteins, and whole grains like quinoa, chia seeds, and buckwheat. (Quinoa, chia, and buckwheat are ingredients found in Opti-Reds 50 as well).
While we should strive to eat these healthy foods daily, our diets are often not perfect. Opti-Reds 50 helps ensure we are consistently consuming these crucial nutrients even when our diet is inconsistent. In other words, Opti-Reds 50 helps provide a consistent nutritional balance to our day.
Is Opti-Reds 50 Healthy?
Opti-Reds 50’s is filled with healthy natural whole food ingredients; therefore, it’s a healthy option for those in the general population.
Who Should Consider Using It?
Because Opti-Reds 50 contains natural whole ingredients. These ingredients are regarded as safe for the general population. This product is also gluten-free so those with gluten sensitivities or intolerances or people with Celiac disease can take this product as well.
Safety and Side Effects
You should discuss any supplements with your doctor. Your doctor will be able to tell you about possible interactions your supplements might have with any medications you are taking or medical conditions you have.
Ratings and Reviews: What Are Customers Saying?
There's only one place to buy 1st Phorm products, and that's their official website. Which means there is really only one place to check out what customers are saying.
Here's the general consensus:
Opti-Reds 50 has an average rating of 4.9/5 stars based on 2,225 customer reviews, which is incredible. Most users rave about the customer service, citing hand-written letters from 1st Phorm executives.
But, as we all know, great customer service doesn't mean it's a great product. That's why I looked into what people were saying about the supplement itself, and if it actually does what it claims to do.
An overwhelming majority of people who have used 1st Phorm's Opti-Reds 50 talk about having less bloating, better gut health, healthier digestive system, more energy throughout their day, lower blood pressure, stronger immune system and reduced inflammation.
It is also worthy to note (and I can attest to this one) that mixing opti-reds 50 with just water is tough to take down. Returning customers (and myself) recommend to mix Opti-Reds 50 with orange juice.
Let's have a look at what the reviews look like on the product page:
Amanda
"It has helped lower my blood pressure and I’m now off my bp meds!"
Daniela
"Love this product. Gives me overall increased energy, reduced inflammation, and has helped me recover better after my workouts. Highly recommend the product."
Worth it? Our Dietitian’s Recommendation
The ingredients in Opti-Reds 50 are well-researched and provide many health benefits. I recommend taking Opti-Reds 50 supplements in combination with a healthy well-balanced diet because:
- The benefits of the ingredients found in Opti-Reds 50 are backed by extensive research.
- Opti-Reds 50 contains whole food ingredients regarded as safe for the general population
Tips for Success From the RD
- Eat a diet rich in fruits; vegetables; whole grains; lean meats or plant-based proteins; dark chocolate; green tea; fresh herbs; omega-3-rich fish, like salmon or tuna and/or ALA omega-3-rich chia seeds, flaxseeds, and walnuts. Eating a combination of these foods ensures you are consuming antioxidants, fiber, protein, vitamins, minerals, Omega-3s, and other healthy fats.
- Regularly add probiotic-rich foods to your diet. Probiotic-rich foods include yogurt, kombucha, kefir, kimchi, or foods and drinks fortified with probiotics. .
- Consider adding a multi-vitamin and/or multi-nutrient supplement like Opti-Reds 50.