The Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink Formula Explained
Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is a nutritionally complete meal in a bottle that is high in protein and fiber, reduced carbohydrate, and rich in healthy fats, with an alternative macro split of 23:39:35:3 (carbohydrate, fat, protein, fiber). This means 23% of the total energy comes from carbohydrate, 39% from fat, 35% from protein and 3% from fiber. Black Edition Ready-to-drink also provides micronutrients, such as phytonutrients and all 27 essential vitamins and minerals. Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink has lower carbs and higher protein compared to both v1.0 and v2.0 Ready-to-drink.
Additionally, Black Edition Ready-to-drink contains no lactose or any animal products, no soy, no GMOs, and is gluten free.
The Black Edition Ready-to-drink 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 Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink Formula Explained: Contents
Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink Carbohydrates
Fat in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink: Canola, Flaxseed, Sunflower and Coconut
Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is High-protein: Peas, Faba, Hemp
Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is a Source of fiber: Flaxseed, Chicory and Corn
Vitamins and Minerals in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink
Green Tea Extract in Black Edition Ready-to-drink
Caffeine in Black Edition Ready-to-drink
Ingredients of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink
Nutritional Profile of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink
Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink Cautions and Allergen Advice
Carbohydrate in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink
The carbohydrate content of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is 32% lower than that of regular v1.0 and v2.0 Ready-to-drink (based on Vanilla Black Edition Ready-to-drink and Vanilla Ready-to-drink V1.0). This is to provide an alternative product for those who desire a different carbohydrate intake for a meal.
The carbohydrates in Black Edition Ready-to-drink 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 Ready-to-drink 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.
Fat in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink: Canola, Flaxseed, Sunflower, and Coconut
The fat in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink provides 39% of the total energy and is made up from cold- pressed canola oil, flaxseed and sunflower lecithin. This is to 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 canola oil, flaxseed and sunflower, we’ve ensured Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink contains sufficient amounts of both of these EFAs as well as other omega-3 and -6 fatty acids. We selected canola oil specifically because it has a great omega-6 to omega-3 ratio of 2:1, as well as provides essential vitamins such as vitamin E and vitamin K. The breakdown of the kinds of fat in canola oil is approximately 62% oleic acid (a monounsaturated fatty acid), 19% linoleic acid, 9% alpha-linoleic acid and 7% saturated fatty acids [14].
We’ve included medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) from coconut. MCTs are treated much like carbs, i.e. they provide an energy-rich, sustained fuel and are perfect for those of us with busy lifestyles[2].
Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is High-protein: Peas, Faba Bean, and Hemp
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 Ready-to-drink 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 Ready-to-drink provides all of the essential amino acids, including BCAA's (Branched chain amino acids). Most of the protein is supplied by pea, faba bean and hemp seed protein, with smaller amounts coming from other ingredients like flaxseed. Furthermore, protein is more satiating than other macronutrients[4], helping you to feel satisfied after your meal.
Amino acid profile of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink
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 eleven 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 Ready-to-drink comes from three of the main ingredients: pea protein, hemp and faba. This ensures a good range of all amino acids and that there are sufficient amounts of the EAAs. Hemp protein is high in the sulphur-containing amino acids cysteine and methionine, plus it contains good amounts of all the others but is comparatively low in lysine. The pea and faba bean proteins are lower in cysteine and methionine but high in lysine. This is why we selected these three sources, ensuring everything was covered whilst keeping Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink vegan-suitable.
Fiber in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink: Flaxseed, Chicory and Corn Fiber
The vast majority of Americans do not consume adequate amounts of fiber, with just 5% of the population meeting fiber intake recommendations [15]. Healthy adults require anywhere from 25-38g of fiber per day (14g of fiber for every 1,000 calories).
Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is a good source of fiber providing 6-7g of fiber per bottle (varies a bit between flavors). The fiber in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is a mixture of soluble and insoluble forms supplied from flaxseed, chicory and corn fiber. Chicory fiber has a prebiotic effect, prebiotics are forms of fiber that support the good bacteria in our gut [17].
The fiber profile in Black Edition Ready-to-drink helps to ensure the formation of normal, solid stools in healthy users [5]. Fiber acts like a sponge, so it’s important to consume adequate fluids when having fiber-rich foods like Black Edition Ready-to-drink[16].
Vitamins and minerals
The majority of the vitamins and minerals (also known as micronutrients) in Black Edition Ready-to-drink 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 Ready-to-drink formula. Benefits of consuming more vitamin C include supporting a healthy immune system and antioxidant properties[6,7,8].
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 Ready-to-drink are a rich source.
Choline is an essential B vitamin that can be synthesized in our bodies, but it’s more efficient to obtain it from our diets[9]. It’s of particular importance for post-menopause[10,11].
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 are less bioavailable[12]. As flaxseed is a large contributor to the nutrition of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink, 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 Ready-to-drink will also further promote iron absorption[13]
Green Tea Extract
Green tea extract is a concentrated form of green tea, one of the most commonly consumed teas in the world. The primary active component in green tea extract is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a polyphenolic compound with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties [18]. Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink provides 150mg green tea extract per bottle.
Caffeine
The green tea extract used in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink powder may contribute a small amount of caffeine. Flavors that include cocoa or coffee, such as our Iced Coffee and Chocolate 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 Ready-to-drink 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 Ready-to-drink to see if it is suitable for your needs.
Celiac: Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is gluten-free.
Phenylketonuria (PKU): Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is not suitable for those who suffer from phenylketonuria (PKU).
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 Ready-to-drink.
FODMAPs: FODMAPs are short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed and consequently ferment so can be irritating to some people's intestines. Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is not a low FODMAP product.
Pregnancy & lactation: Black Edition Ready-to-drink 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 Ready-to-drink is not suitable for younger children, however it may be suitable for adolescents 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 Ready-to-drink 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.
References
Office of Dietary Supplements. (n.d.). Nutrient recommendations. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/nutrientrecommendations.aspx.
Marten B, et al. Medium-chain triglycerides. International Dairy Journal. 2006; 16(11):1374-82.
Linus Pauling Institute. Essential Fatty Acids. Date Accessed: 09/04/19. [Available from: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/essential-fatty-acids].
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. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005; 82(1):41-8.
Gallaher D. Dietary Fiber. Washington D.C.: ILSI Press; 2006. p. 102-10.
Deruelle F & Baron B. Vitamin C: is supplementation necessary for optimal health? J Altern Complement Med. 2008; 14(10):1291-8.
Combs GF Jr & mcClung JP. The Vitamins. 4 ed: Burlington: Elsevier Science; 2012.
Carr AC & Frei B. Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999; 69(6):1086-107.
Zeisel SH & Da Costa KA. Choline: an essential nutrient for public health. Nutr Rev. 2009; 67(11):615-23.
Fischer LM, et al. Dietary choline requirements of women: effects of estrogen and genetic variation. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010; 92(5):1113-9.
Fischer LM, et al. Sex and menopausal status influence human dietary requirements for the nutrient choline. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007; 85(5):1275-85.
Committee on Food Protection; Food and Nutrition Board; National Research Council. "Phytates". Toxicants Occurring Naturally in Foods. 1973
Lopez HL, F, et al. Minerals and phytic acid interactions: is it a real problem for human nutrition? International Journal of Food Science & Technology. 202; 37(7):727-39
Matthaus B, et al. Some rape/canola seed oils: fatty acid composition and tocopherols. Z Naturforsch C. 2016; 71(3-4):73-7.
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/
Anderson JW, et al. Health benefits of dietary fiber. Nutrition Reviews. 2009; 67(4):188-205.
Pouille, C. L., Ouaza, S., Roels, E., Behra, J., Tourret, M., Gagneul, D., Ravallec, R., Rambaud, C., Hilbert, J.-L., & Cudennec, B. (2022). Chicory: Understanding the effects and effectors of this functional food. Nutrients, 14(5), 957. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14050957
Mokra, D., Joskova, M., & Mokry, J. (2022). Therapeutic effects of green tea polyphenol (‒)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in relation to molecular pathways controlling inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 24(1), 340. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms24010340
