The Huel Black Edition Formula Explained

Huel Black Edition is a nutritionally complete powdered food that is high in protein and fiber, reduced carbohydrate, and rich in healthy fats, with an alternative macro split of 17:40:40:3 (net carbohydrate, protein, fat, fiber) i.e. 17% of the energy comes from carbohydrate, while 40% comes from fat, 40% from protein and 3% from fiber. Black Edition powder also provides micronutrients, such as phytonutrients and all 27 essential vitamins and minerals. 

Additionally, Black Edition Powder contains no lactose or any animal products, no soy, no GMOs, and is gluten free.

The Black Edition powder works to meet the HHS and USDA's Dietary Guidelines and Daily Value (DV) requirements for all macro- and micronutrients, and proportion them to provide what you need from a meal.[1] 

The Black Edition Powder Formula

• Carbohydrate in Black Edition powder: Tapioca
• Fat in Huel Black Edition: Flaxseed, Sunflower and Coconut
• Huel Black Edition is High-protein: Peas and Rice
• Huel Black Edition is High-fiber
• Vitamins and Minerals in Huel Black Edition
• Phytonutrients in Huel Black Edition
• Nutritional Profile and ingredients of Huel Black Edition
• Huel Black Edition Cautions and Allergen Advice

Carbohydrate in Huel Black Edition: Tapioca

The carbohydrate content of Huel Black Edition is 50% lower than that of regular Huel Powder. This is to provide an alternative product for those who desire a different carbohydrate intake for a meal. The carbohydrates in Black Edition powder primarily come from tapioca, a starch that comes from the roots of the cassava plant. We’ve used this as the primary carbohydrate source as it also provides a smooth, rounded mouthfeel. As Huel Black Edition contains no artificial sweeteners, we’ve used a small amount of organic coconut sugar to compliment the natural sweetener stevia to deliver a subtle sweet taste. While Black Edition is low in sugar, we also offer an unflavored/unsweetened version with no added sugar or sweeteners.

Fat in Huel Black Edition: Flaxseed, Sunflower and Coconut

The fats in Huel Black Edition provide 40% of the total energy and are mainly derived from flaxseed and sunflower seeds. They provide essential omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in optimum amounts. There are two essential fatty acids: linoleic acid (LA – an omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA – an omega-3)[3]. Using our blend of flaxseeds and sunflower oil powder, we’ve ensured Huel Black Edition contains sufficient amounts of both of these EFAs as well as other omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. 

We’ve included medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut. MCTs are treated much like carbs, so they provide an energy-rich, sustained fuel and are perfect for those of us with busy lifestyles[2].

Huel Black Edition is High-protein: Peas and Rice

For healthy adults, the DRI recommends that 10-35% of calories should come from protein, or a minimum of 0.8g of protein per kg body weight per day[1]. The recommendation of 0.8g of protein per kg body weight per day is the recommendation to prevent deficiency. Huel Black Edition is high in protein for those who desire a higher intake of protein for some meals. We combine plant based sources of protein to ensure Black Edition powder provides all of the essential amino acids, including BCAA's (Branched chain amino acids). 

Most of the protein is supplied by pea and brown rice protein, with smaller amounts coming from other ingredients like flaxseed. Furthermore, protein is more satiating than other macronutrients[5], helping you to feel satisfied after your meal.  

Amino Acid Profile of Huel Black Edition

Protein is made up of amino acids. There are over 500 amino acids in nature, 20 of which are known as the standard amino acids as these are the ones that are coded genetically and are subsequently involved in primary protein synthesis. Of these 20, nine are essential as they cannot be synthesized from other amino acids.

The nine essential amino acids are:

• Histidine
• Isoleucine
• Leucine
• Lysine
• Methionine
• Phenylalanine
• Threonine
• Tryptophan
• Valine

The other 11 are:

• Alanine
• Arginine
• Asparagine
• Aspartic acid
• Cysteine
• Glutamine
• Glutamic acid
• Glycine
• Proline
• Serine
• Tyrosine

Generally, proteins derived from animal foods (meats, fish, poultry, milk, and eggs) are considered complete proteins because they provide all nine essential amino acids.  Some plant foods are also complete proteins, including quinoa, buckwheat, and soy. You can also combine plant foods (legumes, seeds, grains, and vegetables) to get all nine amino acids. Many plant foods have insufficient amounts or one or more of the essential amino acids. The protein in Huel Black Edition comes primarily from pea protein and brown rice protein. This ensures the inclusion of all essential amino acids in sufficient amounts. The protein from brown rice is high in the sulphur-containing amino acids cysteine and methionine, plus it contains good amounts of all the others, but is very low in lysine. Pea protein is low in cysteine and methionine but high in lysine. Plus there’s additional protein in smaller amounts from the flaxseed. Combining ingredients Black Edition powder is both high in protein and vegan.

Huel Black Edition is High-fiber

The vast majority of Americans do not consume adequate amounts of fiber, with just 5% of the population meeting fiber intake recommendations[14]. Healthy adults require anywhere from 25-38g of fiber per day (14g of fiber for every 1,000 calories). One serving of Black Edition contains 6-8g of fiber per serving, depending on which flavor option you choose.

The fiber in Black Edition powder is a combination of soluble and insoluble forms of fiber. These are both naturally supplied from plant based ingredients such as brown rice, quinoa, pulses and vegetables. The fiber content helps to ensure the formation of normal, solid stools in healthy users[6]. Fiber can act like a sponge, so be sure to consume adequate amounts of water when consuming fiber rich meals like Black Edition powder[8]. 

Vitamins and Minerals in Huel Black Edition

The majority of the vitamins and minerals (also known as micronutrients) in Black Edition powder are from natural ingredients. We then use a micronutrient blend to fortify the product to ensure we are providing all the vitamins and minerals you need from a meal.

 There have been numerous studies in the past 20 years demonstrating that, for certain  micronutrients, levels higher than the DRI may have beneficial effects to health. For example, it’s widely considered that the amount of vitamin C we’re recommended to consume is too low, so we've reflected this in the Huel Black Edition formula. Benefits of consuming more vitamin C include supporting a healthy immune system, antioxidant properties and it also helps the absorption of some minerals like iron[7,9,10]. 

With some of the trace elements, the levels are higher than the recommended amounts. This is because we only need tiny amounts of them, but the natural ingredients in Black Edition powder are a rich source.

Choline is an essential B vitamin, and although it can be synthesized in our bodies, it’s more efficient to obtain it from our diets[11,12]. It’s of particular importance for post-menopause[12,13].

There has been some concern about phytic acid: a naturally occurring substance in some seeds including flaxseed. Phytic acid can chelate (bind) some minerals meaning that they’re less bioavailable[15]. As flaxseed is a large contributor to the nutrition of Huel Black Edition, we've ensured that there are adequate levels of some minerals, like iron and zinc, to accommodate any issues with phytic acid chelation. Furthermore, the high level of vitamin C in Huel Black Edition will also further promote iron absorption[16].

Phytonutrients in Huel Black Edition

Phytonutrients are compounds found in plant foods that may exhibit some health benefits like disease risk prevention[17]. Black Edition powder’s fundamental ingredients are plant-based foods, which are already phytonutrient-rich and so the benefits are passed onto anyone consuming Huel Black Edition powder. Additionally, we've also included some extra phytonutrients to optimize the Black Edition powder formula, and to complement the antioxidant nutrients such as vitamins C, vitamin E and selenium. Antioxidants are important because they reduce the amount of free radicals in the body. Free radicals cause oxidative stress that can have adverse effects on our health, such as triggering disease or adverse effects on DNA, so it is important to have a balance of antioxidants in our diet[4].

Polyphenols in Huel Black Edition powder have antioxidant activity. Black Edition powder’s beneficial phytonutrients include:

• Lutein: we've added additional lutein in our vitamin and mineral blend. Although not essential, there is concern that diets low in lutein may lead to macular degeneration of the eye in the elderly, as lutein is involved in eye pigment development[19]. Lutein is also an antioxidant.
• Zeaxanthin: another antioxidant, this has been added as it also has a role in long-term eye health[18].
• Lycopene: added as it's a potent antioxidant[20].
• Green tea catechins: green tea extract is included as it is rich in catechins especially epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) which are polyphenols with antioxidant activity[21,22].

Probiotics and Kombucha

Huel Powder contains the probiotic Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856. Probiotics are ‘good’ bacteria which, when consumed in adequate amounts, may have health benefits, particularly for gut health[23, 24].

Kombucha is a fermented product that is made using a symbiotic culture of bacteria and yeast (SCOBY). Kombucha provides B-vitamins which are produced when the SCOBY breaks down the sugars present[25] .

Caffeine

The green tea extract used in Huel Black Edition powder may contribute a small amount of caffeine. Flavors that include cocoa or coffee, such as our coffee caramel, chocolate, and cookies and cream flavors, have additional amounts of caffeine present, as cocoa and chocolate naturally contain caffeine. If you have caffeine sensitivities, we'd suggest choosing a different product that doesn't contain coffee, chocolate or green tea extract for the time being.

Ingredients and Nutritional Information

Huel Black Edition Cautions and Allergen Advice

As some conditions require dietary intervention, like with any food, please heed the notes below for the following conditions:

• Diabetes mellitus: For those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, please review the carbohydrate, sugar and other nutrition facts for Black Edition powder to see if it is suitable for your needs.
• Inborn errors of metabolism: If you have a glycogen storage disorder (GSD) or other inborn error of metabolism where you require dietary manipulation, you should consult your doctor or specialist clinician before using Huel Black Edition Powder.
• Celaic: Huel Black Edition is gluten-free and is made with no gluten-containing ingredients. 
• FODMAPs: FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed and consequently ferment so can be irritating to some people's intestines. Sometimes those with IBS follow low FODMAP diets. Huel Black Edition is low in FODMAPs constituents so is suitable for people who follow a low-FODMAP diet. Read more about Huel and FODMAPs here.
• Phenylketonuria (PKU): Huel Black Edition is not suitable for those who suffer from phenylketonuria (PKU).
• Pregnancy & lactation: Black Edition can be included in the diet of those who are pregnant or breast feeding, however it should be limited to one serving per day. Please review more information about Huel and pregnancy in our FAQ. If you have questions about suitability, we suggest you discuss with your doctor if there are any clinically specific reasons why they wouldn’t be suitable. 
• Children: Huel Black Edition powder is likely not suitable for children under 14 years of age as it is very rich in protein. However, older children may include Huel Black Edition powder as part of a balanced diet that includes a variety of other foods. Huel should not be their sole source of nutrition as they have different nutritional requirements to adults; for more information please see our Children, Adolescents and Huel article.
• Eating disorders: Huel Black Edition powder can be consumed by individuals with eating disorders as a useful source of complete nutrition if it is an appropriate fit for their current meal plan. However, we recommend that individuals with eating disorders only use Huel after discussing it with their doctor or relevant clinician.
• Medications: There may be specific drug-nutrient interactions relating to a particular medicine you're using, so we recommend you read the drug information provided with your prescription, and if you have any further concerns, please discuss them with your doctor.

Allergen Advice

All Huel products are vegan. We thoroughly assess our ingredients and the processes we use to make Huel and whenever we identify potential routes of allergen contamination we will first take steps to eliminate the possibility of any contamination of our product. However, where it is not possible to remove the risk we will clearly highlight any allergens that might be present on our product packaging in line with current US food safety guidelines.

However, we recognize that individuals can have allergies to any protein in any ingredient therefore if you have a specific allergy that is outside of the remit above, please contact us directly and we will do our best to guide you on which products are suitable.

Additionally, Huel Black Edition is gluten-free. It’s also avenin-free, meaning it does not contain any oats. This means it can be suitable for those with an oat intolerance and those with celiac who have an adverse reaction to oats.

References

1. Office of Dietary Supplements. (n.d.). Nutrient recommendations. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/nutrientrecommendations.aspx.
2. Marten B, et al. Medium-chain triglycerides. International Dairy Journal. 2006; 16(11):1374-82.
3. Institute LP. Oregon State University Essential Fatty Acids. Date Accessed: 03/12/19. [Available from: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/essential-fatty-acids]
4. Lobo V, et al. Free radicals, antioxidants and functional foods: Impact on human health. Pharmacogn Rev. 2010; 4(8):118-26.
5. Weigle DS, et al. A high-protein diet induces sustained reductions in appetite, ad libitum caloric intake, and body weight despite compensatory changes in diurnal plasma leptin and ghrelin concentrations. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2005; 82(1):41-8.
6. Gallaher D. Dietary Fiber. Washington, D.C: ILSI Press; 2006.
7. Deruelle F, et al. Vitamin C: is supplementation necessary for optimal health? Journal of alternative and complementary medicine (New York, NY). 2008; 14(10):1291-8.
8. Anderson JW, et al. Health benefits of dietary fiber. Nutrition Reviews. 2009; 67(4):188-205. 
9. Hathcock JN, et al. Vitamins E and C are safe across a broad range of intakes. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2005; 81(4):736-45.
10. Institute LP. Oregon State University. Vitamin C. Date Accessed: 12/04/19. [Available from: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-C]
11. Zeisel SH, et al. Choline: an essential nutrient for public health. Nutr Rev. 2009; 67(11):615-23.
12. Fischer LM, et al. Dietary choline requirements of women: effects of estrogen and genetic variation. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2010; 92(5):1113-9.
13. Fischer LM, et al. Sex and menopausal status influence human dietary requirements for the nutrient choline. The American journal of clinical nutrition. 2007; 85(5):1275-85.
14.  Quagliani, D., & Felt-Gunderson, P. (2016). Closing America’s fiber intake gap: Communication strategies from a food and fiber summit. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 11(1), 80–85. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6124841/
15. Schlemmer U, et al. Phytate in foods and significance for humans: Food sources, intake, processing, bioavailability, protective role and analysis. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research. 2009; 53:S330-S75.
16. Teucher B, et al. Enhancers of iron absorption: Ascorbic acid and other organic acids. International Journal for Vitamin and Nutrition Research. 2004; 74(6):403-19.
17. Leitzmann C. Characteristics and Health Benefits of Phytochemicals. Forsch Komplementmed. 2016; 23(2):69-74.
18. Institute LP. Oregon State University. Carotenoids. Date Accessed: 07/21/20. [Available from: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/dietary-factors/phytochemicals/carotenoids]
19. Semba RD, et al. Are lutein and zeaxanthin conditionally essential nutrients for eye health? Medical hypotheses. 2003; 61(4):465-72.
20. Richer S, et al. Double-masked, placebo-controlled, randomized trial of lutein and antioxidant supplementation in the intervention of atrophic age-related macular degeneration: the Veterans LAST study (Lutein Antioxidant Supplementation Trial). Optometry (St Louis, Mo). 2004; 75(4):216-30.
21. Chacko SM, et al. Beneficial effects of green tea: a literature review. Chin Med. 2010; 5:13-.
22. Forester SC, et al. The role of antioxidant versus pro-oxidant effects of green tea polyphenols in cancer prevention. Molecular nutrition & food research. 2011; 55(6):844-54.
23. Majeed M, et al. Bacillus coagulans MTCC 5856 supplementation in the management of diarrhea predominant Irritable Bowel Syndrome: a double blind randomized placebo controlled pilot clinical study. Nutr J. 2016; 15:21.
24. Hemarajata P, et al. Effects of probiotics on gut microbiota: mechanisms of intestinal immunomodulation and neuromodulation. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2013; 6(1):39-51.
25. Jayabalan R, et al. A Review on Kombucha Tea—Microbiology, Composition, Fermentation, Beneficial Effects, Toxicity, and Tea Fungus. Comprehensive Reviews in Food Science and Food Safety. 2014; 13(4):538-50