Many of us look for simple approaches to weight loss, especially if the methods that we’re currently trying just aren’t working.
Valentus Slim Roast Coffee is one product that is supposed to offer just that.
This is a type of coffee that is specifically designed with weight loss in mind – and contains extra ingredients that are supposed to help you lose weight.
There are also many positive reviews out there, which imply that the coffee truly does work. But, is this the case?
Drinking a specific type of coffee to lose weight sounds too good to be true. So, how does Valentus Slim Roast Coffee actually work?
For that matter, does it live up to its claims?
What is Valentus Slim Roast Coffee?
First of all, it is also sometimes known as SlimROAST or Prevail SlimROAST. The different names seem to be partly connected to rebranding, as I’ve seen multiple different versions on Amazon.
However, the one pictured below is currently what is sold through the Valentus website.
The basic concept here is that the coffee should help people lose weight, mainly by suppressing appetite. Doing so means that, in theory, people will tend to eat less and thus take in fewer calories. In particular, the company makes the following claims:
Now, I’ll be honest – I’m skeptical.
Over time, I’ve written a number of different diet reviews, including a Javita Coffee review, where the underlying concept and product type is very similar.
Personally, I’ve found that there is no quick solution to weight loss. Instead, most companies seem to rely on a combination of herbs and nutrients, in the hope that some of these will have an impact.
But, there are positive reviews out there. So, in this review, I’m taking an honest and fact-based look at Valentus Slim Roast Coffee and the claims that it makes.
In doing so, I hope to show once and for all, whether the coffee actually works.
The Company Behind the Coffee
The company that produces Valentus Slim Roast Coffee is simply known as Valentus. Coffee isn’t their only product. Instead, the company focuses on functional drinks in general.
So, the idea here is that there are various drinks that serve to promote health in some way. All of these seem to be sachets that you add to water.
I’m not going to look at their other products in detail but the basic pattern is the same as for Valentus Slim Roast Coffee. In particular, the products contain a range of different ingredients, many of which are sourced from herbs.
The idea is that these ingredients can provide the benefits that the company claims. However, while the site certainly hypes up the benefits, it offers little in the way of actual evidence.
The other thing that I want to mention is that Valentus operates via a MLM model. This is a form of product promotion, where members are paid to sell items from the company.
In this case, members earn 25% commission on sales, along with various bonuses based on volume and recruitment efforts.
In fairness, the MLM model doesn’t really affect the products sold. Many MLMs do tend to sell low-quality and scammy products but, at the same time, some do sell fairly decent items.
For example, the site Mamavation highlights some health MLMs that are good, along with others that don't make the grade.
Instead, I bring up the MLM model because it affects the Valentus Slim Roast Coffee reviews that you will see online. The model means that there will be distributors out there that earn money promoting the product. So, they want to make the coffee seem as good as possible.
As a result, you may notice a lot of glowing Valentus Slim Roast Coffee reviews that simply aren’t legitimate.
Valentus is a MLM company that also promotes some other drinks that follow the same general concept of Valentus coffee
Valentus Slim Roast Coffee Ingredients
Whenever I look at a diet supplement, regardless of whether it is a pill, a drink or something else entirely (like the Thrive patches), the main thing that I look at is the ingredients.
After all, the ingredients should be the main thing causing any benefits that you observe.
First of all, Valentus Slim Roast Coffee really is like other products on the market. By this, I mean that it’s basically a herbal supplement, just in the form of a drink.
So, in addition to coffee, you have a number of different herbs and extracts, which are supposed to help with weight loss. In particular, the specific ingredients are these:
The company also offers a page describing each of these ingredients and what they are supposed to do.
On paper, these explanations sound great. But, the company offers no scientific evidence at all. Instead, they strongly rely on phrases like these:
So, we’re going to look at each active ingredient briefly.
Green Coffee Extract
This extract comes from green coffee beans and has the active ingredient chlorogenic acid.
This compound was incredibly popular when green coffee beans were trending and many companies made proprietary extracts that took advantage of this compound. You probably haven’t heard that much about green coffee beans or chlorogenic acid recently, mostly because the concept was almost entirely debunked.
In fact, the key study that was used to ‘prove’ the effectiveness of green coffee was incredibly flawed and was ultimately retracted altogether (1).
Beyond this one study, the evidence for chlorogenic acid success has been extremely limited.
- There have been a few studies showing support for green coffee beans or chlorogenic acid (2,3,4).
- However, these have been limited in scope and often flawed. Plus, any observed effects tend to be relatively small (5).
- This is something the site Popular Science talks about in detail as well.
The other thing to note is that you find either chlorogenic acid or green coffee bean extract in a number of different weight loss products, including Fit Tea, Plexus Slim and Thrive patches.
- Likewise, there are many examples of green coffee bean extract on the market and those were incredibly popular back when Dr. Oz was hyping the whole concept.
- If chlorogenic acid was truly able to have a significant impact on weight, then we would have seen it by now.
- But instead, all of those products tend to have little to no effect for most people.
Besides, the amount of chlorogenic acid in Valentus Slim probably isn't enough to cause any significant benefits even if some existed. Instead, if you really wanted the compound, the supplements may make more sense.
Chlorogenic acid and green coffee beans have had their day and there simply isn't enough evidence to say that they promote weight loss at all
Garcinia Cambogia
Garcinia Cambodia is another ingredient that’s become popular recently in this type of product. This was never hyped as highly as green coffee bean but it is still commonly used.
As with green coffee bean extract, you can get Garcinia Cambodia supplements and some people do use these for weight loss.
The situation with research is fairly similar though.
- For example, there are some theories supporting the idea that Garcinia Cambodia may be effective for improving satiety and decreasing fat production (6,7).
- But, there is little proof that such effects are significant in humans.
- Instead, most of the studies that have been conducted have failed to find such an outcome (8,9,10,11).
Garcinia Cambogia may be common in this type of weight loss product but the scientific evidence for its effect is incredibly scarce
Phaseolamin
Now, phaseolamin is an interesting one. Essentially, this is a carb blocker. In theory, this type of supplement helps to prevent some of the carbs that you eat from being digested.
The effect isn’t really as strong as most people assume.
- For one thing, the effect only applies to some of the carbs you’re eating (12,13).
- For example, one study found that a carb blocker only inhibited 7% of the carbs from being absorbed (14).
- The effect is also just for complex carbs. It doesn’t affect glucose, fructose and the like.
- So, for those who rely heavily on processed food or on high sugar food, a carb blocker won’t be much use.
Now, in theory, carb blockers can help you to lose more weight and research also supports this outcome, to a degree (15,16,17). But, the strength of the effect is likely to vary from one person to the next.
For example, a carb blocker is likely to be more effective for people who get most of their calories from carbs and probably wouldn’t work well for those on low carb diets.
All-in-all, the potential is there, but not all studies agree.
The final thing to note is that the studies that have been done are pretty limited, particularly in size and design. In many cases, they were also funded by supplement companies.
The end result is that carb blockers have more potential than chlorogenic acid and Garcinia Cambodia as a weight loss tool. Nevertheless, more research is needed and any impact is likely to be small.
As with the other ingredients, you're probably not getting all that much of this compound in the coffee anyway. So, if you were interested in those specific benefits, supplementing may make more sense.
Phaseolamin itself is also a generic name for an extract made from white kidney beans. As you can probably imagine, there are similar extracts available to buy as supplements.
As a carb blocker, there is some evidence for the benefits of phaseolamin. However, even here, the outcomes of research have been mixed
Green Tea Extract
The label states that it contains 'green extract', which isn't an ingredient.
But, the previous version of Valentus Slim involved green tea extract as an ingredient. So, it's likely that this is the case currently too.
Now, green tea itself has a long history of having health benefits, including the potential to contribute to weight loss (23,24,25).
- In fact, this may be one reason why there are so many weight loss teas out there, like Flat Tummy Tea and Fit Tea.
- Additionally, green tea is a source of caffeine, which can also potentially help with weight loss (26), although you should be getting more caffeine from the coffee itself.
However, the effects of green tea on weight loss are somewhat controversial. For example, some studies have failed to find an impact (27,28). And, if an effect is present, then it may also be fairly mild.
Additionally, it isn’t clear how much green tea extract is in Valentus Slim Roast Coffee anyway. I would guess that there isn’t a large amount, especially as the green tea extract is one of multiple different herbs.
With that in mind, if you wanted health or weight loss benefits from green tea, you’d be better off drinking the tea directly.
While green tea is associated with health benefits, the connection between green tea and weight loss is not nearly as strong. Additionally, it isn't even clear how much green tea is in the coffee
L-Theanine
L-theanine is an amino acid. The company suggests that this is a key reason that green tea can help promote weight loss.
The compound is frequently included in weight loss supplements.
However, the research is limited. One study did show that the compound can help lower food intake and body weight, while decreasing triglyceride and fatty acid levels (29).
- That study was conducted in mice.
- Most of the outcomes were for mice given multiple green tea compounds, not just the theanine.
Theanine has also been linked to decreased symptoms of stress (30,31). This outcome may indirectly promote weight loss. After all, many of us make poor decisions when we're stressed and may end up overeating.
The site Self Hacked discusses the benefits of L-theanine in more detail. But, there isn't all that much research and very little support for weight loss benefits (32).
Valentus Slim does contain this and green tea, increasing the potential somewhat. Still, there is little evidence that you'll actually see any weight loss effect.
As with the other ingredients, you're not likely to get a large amount of the amino acid per cup of coffee. So, even if there were benefits, you're probably not getting enough to see them.
There is also little evidence that L-Theanine would have much impact on weight loss
Caffeine
Caffeine and weight loss are often linked (33,34). This is one of the reasons that coffee can help improve weight loss in the first place. There are multiple ways this occurs.
In the short-term, caffeine may help to improve the metabolism and boost fat burning. But, as tolerance increases, these effects tend to decline. This is one reason why some people choose to cycle caffeine.
Because these impacts decline, caffeine isn't relevant for long-term metabolism benefits. Even so, caffeine may help to suppress the appetite and promote weight loss that way.
There is more evidence for caffeine than most of the other ingredients in the coffee from Valentus Slim. Still, that outcome is pretty meaningless.
- There are many different sources of caffeine and it's already something people consume regularly.
- For that matter, you're getting caffeine with any brand of coffee (unless you're drinking decaf).
As such, you're unlikely to see any additional benefits from the caffeine in Valentus Slim.
Caffeine may offer weight loss benefits but there are many other sources of the compound
Cacao/Cocoa
Research suggests that cocoa beans contain many powerful compounds. This is why there are so many health benefits from dark chocolate.
There is even some indication that these compounds may help promote weight loss (35).
But, most studies into this topic will have focused on cocoa extract or high flavonol cocoa/chocolate. You're unlikely to see similar benefits with a small amount of cocoa powder in coffee. Plus, Valentus Slim is just using cacao itself, rather than extract.
This suggests there won't be many beneficial compounds present. In fact, the cacao may just be included for flavor, rather than weight loss benefits.
There isn't much evidence that cacao can help weight loss. Even if it does, there wouldn't be enough included in Valentus Slim to make a difference
PEA
PEA is short for beta-phenylethylamine. This is a stimulant that is associated with serotonin and dopamine. It is sometimes used for weight loss too but the evidence is limited.
As Examine.com points out, PEA breaks down too fast in the body, making it ineffective as a supplement. Because of this, most of the potential effects of the compound won't actually occur.
This is particularly true for products like Valentus Slim Roast Coffee,as you won't be getting much of the compound anyway.
Supplementing with PEA has limited potential and there is no clear evidence of benefits
Canola Lecithin
Valentus excludes this ingredient in its discussion of benefits. Instead, canola lecithin is simply an emulsifier and an alternative to soy lecithin.
As such, it doesn't have any implications for weight loss. It is simply used for practical benefits and to ensure the coffee behaves as it should.
The canola lecithin is simply included for practical reasons, it offers no weight loss benefits
SlimRoast Optimum Coffee
Valentus also has a second coffee product, called SlimRoast Optimum. This has the same weight loss focus as the regular coffee. But the company claims that SlimRoast Optimum is more powerful, as it stacks multiple beneficial ingredients.
This time, the product contains:
- 2-Amino-5-Methylheptane
- Beta phenylethylamine (PEA)
- Acetyl-L-carnitine
- Caffeine
- Green Tea Catechins Extract
- L-Theanine
- Alpha-Glycerylposphoryl Choline
- Chromium Polynicotinate
Many of the ingredients are the same, although there are differences too.
Regardless, the overall pattern is what you would expect. Most of the ingredients could promote weight loss, in theory. But, there isn't much evidence to support those effects.
There are other claims too, like increasing energy, metabolizing fat to energy, improving energy and boosting circulation. The energy effects are probably true - you can thank the caffeine and L-theanine for that. As for the rest of the claims, there is no evidence provided.
SlimRoast Optimum is another product and it is unlikely to promote weight loss
Does Slim Roast Coffee Work?
As you can see from the ingredients information, there isn’t a whole lot of scientific support for Valentus Slim Roast Coffee, especially in terms of weight loss.
Most of the potential benefits come from the coffee itself, the caffeine and a little bit from the carb blocker. In contrast, the other ingredients probably do little to nothing for actual weight loss.
So, does Slim Roast Coffee work? Well, probably. To a degree, anyway.
The reason for this is simple. Many of the claims that Valentus makes already apply to coffee.
- For example, coffee is well known as an appetite suppressant and for many people that is a key reason to drink it.
- Likewise, coffee is a good source of antioxidants on its own. In fact, people tend to get a lot of antioxidants from coffee naturally, partly because coffee consumption is so high (36).
- Some of the other claims are things we associate with coffee too, like improving mood and making you more alert.
So, in these areas Valentus Slim Coffee is likely to work. The carb blocker that the coffee contains may help matters somewhat too but it’s difficult to know.
Of course, this pattern also means that you would get many of the same benefits simply from drinking coffee. For that matter, there are some amazing coffee brands out there that taste great and have a much better reputation than Valentus - like the one in the link below.
This begs the question, why go with Valentus Slim Roast Coffee? After all, the evidence for additional benefits really isn't that high.