Trendy Wellness Drinks: What Should You Know?

The beauty and wellness market is very prolific when it comes to so-called “weight-loss solutions”. Creams, drinks, capsules and other devices abound, and slimming drainers are becoming increasingly popular. But what should we think of these so-called “draining” drinks? We’ve investigated for you: what this type of drink is, how it differs from a version marketed for cellulite, which ingredients to look for, the habits that should accompany it and what to consider when choosing one.

What is a slimming drainer?

A drainer, or so-called “draining” beverage, most often comes in the form of a drinkable solution to dilute in water and consume throughout the day or during meals. It is actually a food supplement (as capsules or ampoules can be), whose use should be limited to a set period, like any course.

As for slimming drainers, their marketing generally highlights different claims, which are best considered with a little perspective:

• A “draining” claim (as their name suggests): in practice, diluted in a large bottle of water, the drink mainly helps you remember to drink regularly throughout the day, which remains a good everyday habit.
• A claim based on various ingredients, natural or synthetic, including plants, often presented in connection with metabolism or dietary fats. These promises should be treated with caution, as no drink can replace a varied diet and regular physical activity.
• A “satiety” claim: in practice, having a glass of water with meals is simply part of good hydration habits.

What is the difference between a slimming drainer and a cellulite drainer?

The difference between these two types of so-called draining drinks is subtle. It is essentially related to their composition. Cellulite drainers are generally marketed around cellulite and water retention, while slimming drainers are generally presented in relation to body shape. Thus, a cellulite drainer will often contain plants such as red vine leaf, ginkgo biloba, butcher’s broom and horse chestnut, as well as plants commonly used in infusions, such as meadowsweet, nettle, ash and pilosella. A slimming drainer will generally focus more on ingredients such as caffeine, spices or certain fibres, discussed below.

What can you expect from slimming drainers?

We won’t tell you anything new by saying that not all drainers are equal. The composition of the draining beverage will make all the difference. So it is important to look into it, to see whether the drainer actually contains the ingredients highlighted, in meaningful amounts. Among the ingredients commonly found are:

• Classic ingredients rich in caffeine, such as coffee, guarana (guaranine), tea (theine) or mate (mateine). They are commonly used in this type of drink. However, keep an eye on your total caffeine intake throughout the day. To better understand lipolysis, a natural process in the body, see our dedicated article.
• Spicy ingredients, such as chilli pepper or black pepper, as well as raspberry ketones. They are often highlighted in this type of product, but these claims should be treated with caution.
• Other natural ingredients often found in these drinks, such as bromelain from the stem of pineapple, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon or lemon.
• Finally, certain ingredients often associated with “satiety”, such as Garcinia Cambogia, Gymnema sylvestre, Caralluma Fimbriata, artichoke, Yerba Mate or apple pectin.

If the slimming drainer is rich in ingredients of natural origin (they should appear among the first entries on the ingredient list), it may be a more worthwhile choice than a drinkable solution heavily diluted in water and made up only of additives such as flavourings, texturing agents, colourings and preservatives.

Moreover, you cannot expect miracles from a slimming drainer without making other changes. A course of slimming drainer may form part of a wellbeing routine, but it only makes sense alongside good everyday lifestyle habits, namely:

• A varied and balanced diet, which emphasises whole foods.
• Daily physical activity, consisting of everyday movement and exercise.
• Sufficient and restorative sleep (a lack of rest can affect feelings of hunger and satiety).
• Time for yourself, limiting stress as far as possible: a balanced routine is about more than weight.

How should you consume this type of drink?

Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions, particularly regarding the daily serving and the duration of the course. This is especially important for formulas high in caffeine, which are best consumed during the day rather than in the evening.

If you are taking medication, are pregnant or are unsure whether this type of drink is suitable for you, ask a doctor or pharmacist for advice before starting a course.

Which slimming drainer should you choose?

As you will have understood, to choose your slimming drainer well, it is better to read the ingredient list carefully and prioritise clearly identified ingredients. Above all, feeling comfortable in your body starts with good everyday habits.

At Cellublue, we decided to look into the matter.

We created a Fat-Burning Drainer that fits easily into your routine. It combines three plants and is intended to complement a balanced lifestyle.

• Matcha, derived from green tea, appreciated for its vegetal flavour and distinctive colour.
• Guarana, a plant naturally rich in caffeine, which should be taken into account if you already drink coffee or tea.
• Kola nut, used for decades and also containing caffeine.

To be taken once a day at lunchtime for one month (it is high in caffeine), our drainer can form part of your wellbeing routine, alongside a varied and balanced diet and regular physical activity, which it does not replace.