Metabolaid® scientific studies
Supported by over two decades of research, including 10 scientific publications and eight human clinical trials, Metabolaid® is a patented blend of Lemon verbena (Lippia citriodora) leaf and Hibiscus flower (Hibiscus sabdariffa) extracts. Individually, these beautiful botanicals are traditionally used in teas and beverages for their colour and taste, and are also renowned for their remarkable health benefits.
"Rigorous research has found that Metabolaid® enhances AMPK (AMP-activated protein kinase) activation – a vital factor for supporting metabolic function and efficient energy utilisation. A series of studies shows that the blend is six times more effective at activating AMPK than when the individual botanicals are used alone."
But the benefits don’t end there. Metabolaid® is internationally recognised for its ability to:
- Support natural endogenous hormone production - influencing satiety, hunger & meal satisfaction
- Positively impact body composition
- Support cardiovascular health (cholesterol, blood pressure & blood glucose levels)
- Aid in muscle maintenance
- Contribute to digestive health.
For optimal levels and quality, a cutting-edge hydroalcoholic extraction technique and HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) testing guarantee purity and efficacy in every single dose to deliver:
- 15% verbascosides - the plant compounds found in herbs like Lemon verbena, known for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
- 3.5% anthocyanidins - pigment compounds found in richly coloured fruits and flowers such as Hibiscus that also have great antioxidant effects, helping to support vascular health, inflammation response, and even glucose metabolism.
So, how did all these studies discover Metabolaid®’s unrivalled efficacy? We uncover the details here…
STUDY 1
Serna, A. et al. (2021). Effectiveness of a polyphenolic extract (Lippia citriodora and Hibiscus sabdariffa) on appetite regulation in overweight and obese grade 1 population. European Journal of Nutrition;61 (2): 825-841
How was it conducted?
Approved by the Institutional Review Committee of the Universidad Católica San Antonio, the study was also conducted per the Declaration of Helsinki. Randomised, double-blind and placebo-controlled, the crossover trial took place over eight weeks:
- 33 overweight and obese men and women (aged 33–45) participated, with BMIs ranging from 25.8 to 30.6kg/m² and whose body fat percentage ranged between 22.26% and 39.04%.
- Subjects were split into two groups: one took 500mg Metabolaid® daily and the other took a placebo daily for 60 days - each 30 minutes before eating.
- This period was followed by a 30-day washout before switching treatments. At the end of each window, the participants ate an ad libitum meal. No diet intervention was taken.
What benefits were they seeking?
Researchers set out to determine the impact on appetite and satiety, lipid and glucidic impact and effects on hunger-related hormones:
- Appetite sensation was determined by Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) at different times
- Lipid and glucidic profile and safety parameters were assessed via blood extraction
- Blood samples and VAS were observed at baseline, which could continue until 270 minutes (post-breakfast) and at 0, 15, 30, 60, 90, 120, 180, 240, and 270-minute marks
- Scientists assessed hunger-related hormones: GLP-1, leptin, ghrelin, insulin, peptide YY and adiponectin.
What did they find?
DECREASED APPETITE & INCREASED SATIETY
A robust indicator of satiety, the satiety quotient (SQ), accounts for food's caloric content and appetite sensation before meals. A higher SQ value is associated with reduced caloric consumption and is positively linked to energy intake.
Researchers discovered that following ingestion of Metabolaid®:
- The SQ was significantly higher than the placebo
- Increased satiety quotient vs placebo (Placebo = 3.36 ± 2.33% mm/kcal vs Metabolaid® = 5.53 ± 2.91%mm/kcal; p < 0.0001)
- Appetite sensation reduced in the first hour (34.65% vs 42.76%, p < 0.0001); and a lower Area‑Under‑Curve (AUC) was observed for appetite (2078 vs 2566 %×min, p < 0.001)
- Energy consumption was lower (774.44 ± 247.77 kcal) vs those on the placebo (849.52 ± 246.54 kcal) (p < 0.004).
POSITIVE EFFECTS ON HUNGER-RELATED HORMONES
- A 13% increase in endogenous gut hormones (responsible for regulating digestion, appetite and metabolism) was seen within 15 minutes of meal consumption
- GLP-1 (satiety-inducing hormone): A significant increase over baseline was observed after Metabolaid®, indicating improved satiety & hunger regulation
- Leptin (appetite-regulating hormone): Long-term levels of Leptin were reduced; 390% lower leptin was recorded, showing improved appetite regulation with a statistical significance of p<0.047.
While no significant change was seen in ghrelin in this study, there was a downward trend seen in the Metabolaid® group, but no significant differences were observed in insulin, peptide YY and adiponectin production.
IMPROVED BODY COMPOSITION & LIPID REDUCTION
- A slight reduction in fat mass was seen in those taking Metabolaid® (from 25.44kg to 24.51kg), p < 0.002, without impact on fat‑free mass or significant BMI change.
- LDL (“unhealthy”) cholesterol decreased in the Metabolaid® group; total cholesterol showed a downward trend, with no change in triglyceride levels
- Lower average blood glucose (sugar) levels among those on Metabolaid® vs the placebo group.
STUDY 2
Boix-Castejon, M. et al. (2018). Hibiscus and Lemon verbena polyphenols modulate appetite-related biomarkers in overweight subjects: a randomised controlled trial. Food & Function. 9(7):4037
How was it conducted?
This study was also randomised, double-blind, and placebo-controlled and conducted over eight weeks:
- 47 obese and overweight women took part, with a mean age of 51 and a BMI of 25-34.9kg/m²
- For 60 days, one group took 500mg of Metabolaid® daily while the other took a placebo daily, each 20-30 mins before breakfast
- This trial included a dietary intervention and a daily 30-minute walk.
What benefits were they seeking?
Scientists assessed a range of parameters, including the impact of Metabolaid® on:
- Endogenous anorexigenic hormone GLP-1
- Orexigenic hormone ghrelin
Body composition - Blood pressure and heart rate
- and even the participants’ overall health perception.
What did they find?
GREATER SATIETY & APPETITE REGULATION
- A 30% increase in GLP-1 (satiety-inducing hormone) & a decrease in ghrelin (hunger-inducing hormone) vs 25% in the placebo group were noted
- 56% lower leptin (appetite-regulating hormone) levels were seen in the Metabolaid® group - indicating increased leptin sensitivity
- Reduced leptin & resistin - a hormone primarily secreted from fat cells, was seen in both groups (likely from fat loss).
30 days into treatment, visual analogue scale (VAS) assessment demonstrated that individuals were also more satisfied with meal portions and felt fuller after meals. While insulin levels and levels of C‑peptide - a marker for assessing how much insulin the body is producing naturally - remained unchanged.
POSITIVE IMPACT ON BODY COMPOSITION
Body weight loss was 67% greater and abdominal circumference loss 221% greater in the Metabolaid® group than in the placebo group.
IMPROVED BLOOD PRESSURE & HEART RATE
Blood pressure was 400% lower among Metabolaid® participants than in the placebo group. A significant decrease in heart rate was also seen in the Metabolaid® group after 60 days (reducing from 73.3 to 68.6 beats per minute (BPM).
REDUCED ENERGY GAP
The study also concluded that the blend of Lemon verbena and Hibiscus found in Metabolaid® may activate AMPK, helping modulate energy balance, lipid metabolism, and Total Daily Energy Expenditure (TDEE). This, in turn, can counteract the “energy gap” seen from caloric restriction—potentially helping maintain weight loss in the long term for sustainable results.
STUDY 3
Herranz-López, M.et al. (2019) Differential effects of a combination of Hibiscus sabdariffa and Lippia citriodora polyphenols in overweight/obese subjects: A randomised controlled trial. Scientific Reports 9: 2999
How was it conducted?
This trial was an eight-week randomised, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled study consisting of:
- 56 overweight or obese adult participants
- Split into two groups, one took 500mg of Metabolaid® a day and the other a placebo, alongside an isocaloric balanced diet, i.e. one in which the total daily calorie intake remains constant but macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fats) are adjusted.
- The trial took place over 60 days, and all participants undertook 30 minutes of walking a day.
What benefits were they seeking?
The study investigated the combined effect of Lemon verbena and Hibiscus flower in Metabolaid®, on the overall health of overweight and obese individuals, based on previously established assumptions. They particularly looked at the impact on body composition and heart health.
What did they find?
REDUCED BODY FAT
Reductions in both abdominal circumference and overall body fat were observed:
- A reduction of −6.79cm (± 0.80 cm) in abdominal circumference was recorded in the Metabolaid® group vs −1.85cm (± 0.83 cm) in the placebo group (p < 0.001).
- A greater reduction in overall body fat percentage was seen in those taking Metabolaid® (−1.33 ± 0.15% vs −0.66 ± 0.17%) (p < 0.05).
CARDIOVASCULAR BENEFITS
- A significantly decreased heart rate and systolic blood pressure were recorded among those taking Metabolaid® compared to the control group, particularly in overweight participants.
- Reduced blood pressure and an improved circulating lipid profile were also observed, with the most significant changes noted in the overweight group.
The trial confirmed the potential significant changes in a range of health parameters thanks to the activation of metabolic sensor AMPK in fat cells. Overweight participants showed statistically significant reductions in fat and abdominal circumference when supplementing Metabolaid® alongside a calorie-controlled diet. However, it’s important to note that the patented blend of botanicals in this study seemed less effective in obese (BMI ≥ 30) participants.
STUDY 4
Martinez-Rodriguez, A. et al. (2024). The effectiveness of a polyphenol-enriched blend on weight management and metabolic syndrome-related parameters in healthy overweight adults. Applied Sciences. 14 (9):3882
How was it conducted?
This randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted over 12 weeks with:
- 61 overweight or obese individuals
- Each took 300mg Metabolaid® daily but didn’t undergo any dietary changes or physical activity
- The 90-day study took into consideration participants’ weight, body fat, appetite, lipid, and glucose profiles.
What benefits were they seeking?
Researchers set out to assess the impact of Metabolaid® on:
- Body weight
- Body fat amount & distribution via body fat anthropometry
- Body composition through bioimpedance analysis
- Bone density with DEXA (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry)
- Blood lipid profiles (cholesterol), glucose & blood pressure
- Satiety (feelings of fullness/satisfaction).
What did they find?
Considering that participants didn’t partake in any dietary restrictions or physical activities for this Metabolaid® trial, the results were significant even with a smaller dose (300mg vs 500mg) of MetabolaidⓇ compared to other clinical trials.
Even without physical interventions, the study also uncovered the botanical blend's ability to preserve muscle and bone mass — a crucial factor for health – a contrast to other common industry weight loss solutions.
WEIGHT CHANGE WITHOUT MUSCLE LOSS OR NEGATIVE IMPACT ON BONE DENSITY
- They lost 3.4% of their total body weight, but importantly, their muscle & bone mass were not impacted
- Researchers noted a reduction in body fat when compared to baseline results
- DEXA scans showed that 2.5kg of the fat mass lost was predominantly visceral (i.e. abdominal fat).
CARDIOVASCULAR & APPETITE IMPROVEMENTS
- Total cholesterol dropped by about 7%, indicating a meaningful improvement in lipid profile
- Increased satiety was reported, which may have helped reduce spontaneous food intake and contributed to observed weight loss.
There were no significant changes in blood glucose or blood pressure.
STUDY 5
Boix-Castejon et al. (2021). Effect of Metabolaid® on pre-hypertensive and stage 1 hypertensive patients. Journal of Functional Foods. 84(6):104583
How was it conducted?
Researchers recruited 84 participants for a six-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial:
- 51 pre-hypertensive or stage 1 hypertensive (high blood pressure) men & women completed the study in full
- No dietary intervention or exercise routine was instructed; one group just took a single dose of 500mg Metabolaid® and the other a placebo daily
- The volunteers were instructed to take the two capsules 20–30 minutes before breakfast every day.
What benefits were they seeking?
To understand Metabolaid®’s impact on blood pressure, scientists used continuous 24-hour blood pressure monitoring, and also set out to understand its impact on body fat, cholesterol, and vascular function.
What did they find?
SIGNIFICANT IMPACT ON CHOLESTEROL & CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH
- Remarkably, Metabolaid® resulted in +395% lower cholesterol (LDL or “unhealthy”) levels than the placebo (-9.9mg/dl vs -2mg/dl)
-
Reduced blood pressure
- Total systolic blood pressure (BP) was 17.26mmHg lower in those on MetabolaidⓇ (-19.3mmHg vs placebo -2.04mmHg)
- While nighttime systolic BP was 6.45mmHg lower than those on the placebo (-16.6mmHg vs placebo -10.15mmHg)
- Improved healthy blood pressure rhythm (dipper status) by 3.18% (p < 0.01) was also recorded.
CHANGES IN BODY COMPOSITION
- Metabolaid® led to a 1300% greater loss in body weight than the placebo (-0.98kg vs placebo -0.07kg)
- Fat mass loss was also 110% greater for those on Metabolaid® (-1.26% vs placebo -0.6%).
The beneficial effects of the active compounds found within both the Hibiscus and Lemon verbena extracts on cardiovascular health were notable. By lowering LDL cholesterol and improving blood pressure rhythm, it can help lower cardiovascular risk factors even in obese and overweight individuals not on medication.
STUDY 6
Marhuenda, J. et al (2021). A randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a polyphenolic extract (Hibiscus sabdariffa and Lippia citriodora) for reducing blood pressure in prehypertensive and Type 1 hypertensive subjects. Molecules Journal. 26(6):1783
How was it conducted?
- A 12-week randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, this trial included:
80 adult men & women who had either pre-hypertension/Type 1 hypertension - Over the 12 weeks, 40 of the participants took a 500mg capsule of Metabolaid® and the other 40 took a placebo
- No diet intervention was involved, and researchers used Ambulatory Blood Pressure Monitoring (ABPM) for accuracy.
What benefits were they seeking?
Hibiscus and Lemon verbena have attracted much scientific interest, as their high content of polyphenols is potentially beneficial for certain cardiovascular conditions, including hypertension. This study aimed to determine if supplementing with Metabolaid® could support Type 1 hypertensive sedentary populations.
What did they find?
LOWERED BLOOD PRESSURE
Using continuous blood pressure monitoring, researchers saw lower daytime systolic blood pressure in those on Metabolaid®, with significant results observed from two weeks of intake.
SYSTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE
After 14 days, Metabolaid® participants experienced 4.5mmHg lower systolic blood pressure than placebo takers (-3.3mmHg vs +1.2mmHg), and 4.9mmHg lower after 56 days (-3.9mmHg vs +1mmHg).
DIASTOLIC BLOOD PRESSURE
14 days in, those taking Metabolaid® saw 4.2mmHg lower daytime diastolic blood pressure than those on the placebo. (-3.6mmHg vs. +0.6mmHg), and a comparison of -4.3mmHg vs. +1.2mmHg at the 56-day mark. After 84 days, this increased to 6mmHg lower (-3.8mmHg vs. +2.3mmHg).
STUDY 7
Marhuenda, J. et al. (2020) A randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled trial to determine the effectiveness of a polyphenolic extract (Hibiscus sabdariffa and Lippia citriodora) in the reduction of body fat mass in healthy subjects. Foods. 9 (1):55
How was it conducted?
Researchers conducted a 12-week, randomised, double blind, placebo-controlled study:
- 84 sedentary, overweight adult men & women enrolled
- The participants were aged between 18 and 65 years, with a BMI between 25 and 35kg/m²
- They were split into two groups; one group took a 500mg daily dose of Metabolaid® while the other ingested a daily placebo.
What benefits were they seeking?
The research team set out to measure the impact of Metabolaid® on body weight and composition, BMI, fat mass and even bone mineral density.
What did they find?
CHANGES IN BODY COMPOSITION: REDUCED BODY WEIGHT & FAT MASS
Significant reduction in body fat, especially in the trunk (chest & torso), was seen among the Metabolaid® group:
- Decreased body weight (p< 0.014)
- Decreased BMI (p=0.013)
- Greater reduction in total & abdominal fat mass compared to the placebo.
When compared to the placebo, the results were compelling:
- There was a +267% difference in body weight loss between Metabolaid® and the placebo (-1.1kg vs placebo -0.3kg)
- When it came to total fat mass loss, Metabolaid® was +450% more effective than the placebo (-2.2kg vs placebo -0.4kg) as confirmed by bioimpedance and densitometry or DXA (bone mineral density analysis).
- And Metabolaid® led to -0.9kg of abdominal fat mass loss vs 0kg seen from the placebo.
These meaningful changes in visceral fat correlate with lowered metabolic risk factors.
MAINTAINED MUSCLE MASS
Intergroup analysis revealed significant differences between both groups, where Metabolaid® significantly decreased body fat mass compared to the placebo (p < 0.003), but interestingly, this study also demonstrated that muscle mass remained intact.
STUDY 8
Silva, M. et al. (2022) Gut microbiome-modulating properties of a polyphenol-enriched dietary supplement comprised of hibiscus and lemon verbena extracts. Monitoring of phenolic metabolites. Journal of Functional Foods. 91:105016
How was it conducted?
The study took a slightly different approach to the previous seven, investigating the impact of Metabolaid® on the composition and functionality of human gut microbiota through fermentations conducted under simulated gut conditions.
- It entailed two participants: one female aged 41 with a BMI of 24 and one 39-year-old male with a BMI of 23.9. Both were in good health and had not received antibiotics and/or prebiotics for at least six months before the study.
- They explored the impact of a placebo, 1.5g inulin, a 0.06% (90mg) dose of Metabolaid®, and a 0.18% (270mg) dose of Metabolaid®
- Two independent fermentation assays were carried out with faecal samples collected from the two volunteers onsite immediately
- Assessment was carried out at 0, 8, 24, 48, and 72 hours of incubation in a colon compartment of an in vitro dynamic digester (single injection at time 0).
What benefits were they seeking?
The study set out to understand how Metabolaid® could impact microbial diversity and friendly bacteria in the gut and, therefore, its impact on metabolism.
What did they find?
INCREASED MICROBIAL DIVERSITY
A dose-dependent increase in microbial diversity was found when compared to the placebo within as little as eight hours, especially bacteria such as Bifidobacterium, and greater increases were seen within 24 hours.
INCREASED FRIENDLY BACTERIA
Several beneficial strains for weight management increased in abundance thanks to Metabolaid®, including:
- Prevotella: These bacteria enhance satiety and control hunger and weight.
- Akkermansia: This bacterium plays an important role in intestinal barrier integrity and may have an influence on GLP1 hormonal release and insulin resistance.
- Blautia: These bacteria play an important role in the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and the regulation of energy in intestinal cells and metabolism.
INCREASED SCFA PRODUCTION
In turn, short-chain fatty acid production, particularly butyric acid, also rose in as few as 10 hours.
INCREASED FIRMICUTES & BACTEROIDETES RATIO
Having a high ratio of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes is considered a reduced marker of obesity. Researchers saw that Metabolaid® led to a higher count among these strains.
The study concluded that the polyphenols found in Metabolaid® and their microbial metabolites may activate nutrient sensors and support GLP-1 release in the gut. The blend interacts with the gut microbiome to increase production of beneficial compounds like butyric acid.
These help maintain microbial balance and support the integrity of the intestinal lining through AMPK-related pathways, potentially explaining Metabolaid®’s benefits in obese individuals; however, further investigation is warranted.
