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- What It Is
- Evaluation of Ingredients
- Cost
- Comparison
- Bottom Line
- Recommendation
- Customer Experiences
Pros
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What Is KaraMD Pure Nature?
KaraMD Pure Nature is a whole food nutritional supplement made with a blend of 20 different fruits and vegetables.
The formula is intended to help boost immunity, increase energy levels, and improve general health.
Very few Americans are eating the recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables every day. Only one in ten are meeting the recommended five servings of produce intake per day.(1)
Research shows that eating a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can help reduce the risk of many chronic diseases, including diabetes, heart disease, obesity, and some cancers.(2)
Whole food nutritional supplements, like KaraMD Pure Nature, are made from dehydrated fruits and vegetables and are designed to provide people with the nutrients found in produce that may be lacking in their diet.
Mahmud Kara is the founder of KaraMD. He is a knowledgeable physician in the field of internal medicine and has over 30 years of experience under his belt.
In addition to Pure Nature, KaraMD has various supplements focused on heart health, digestive support, and overall wellness.
Evaluation of Ingredients
KaraMD Pure Nature’s formula contains two proprietary blends: a Pure Greens Blend and a Fruit and Vegetable Blend.
The Pure Greens Blend contains greens, while the Fruit and Vegetable Blend contains various fruits and vegetables.
These proprietary blends make it nearly impossible to know if the ingredients contained are present in effective concentrations.
Below is the list of what each blend provides:
Pure Greens Blend, 1,600 mg
- Alfalfa powder
- Barley grass
- Organic oat grass
- Kale
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Parsley
- Cucumber
- Celery
- Asparagus extract
Fruits and Vegetable Blend, 1,200 mg
- Apple fiber
- Beet
- Carrot
- Tomato extract
- Strawberry
- Garlic
- Blueberry
- Ginger
- Raspberry juice
- Red bell pepper
Can It Help Boost Your Immunity?
Some research suggests that whole-food fruit and vegetable supplements may help boost your immunity.
One clinical trial included 529 healthcare professionals that were given either a fruit and vegetable supplement or a placebo for eight months.(3)
After eight months, researchers found that individuals taking the supplement reduced days with moderate or severe common cold symptoms by 20%.
Additionally, some research suggests that whole-food antioxidant supplements may help decrease the risk of colds and flu in elite athletes.(4)
Due to their proprietary blend, it is difficult to assess whether this supplement contains effective doses of nutrients that play a role in supporting the immune system.
Summary
While more research is needed, whole-food fruit and vegetable supplements appear to help boost the immune system.
Can It Increase Your Energy Levels?
Pure Nature may provide some additional vitamins and minerals to your diet.
However, there is no research suggesting that this supplement, or any other fruit and vegetable supplement, will increase your energy levels.
Can It Improve Your General Health?
Adequate fruit and vegetable intake has long been associated with improved general health and reducing the risk of chronic disease.
Emerging research is trying to determine whether fruit and vegetable supplements may have a similar effect on health and well-being.
One older review examined the effects of fruit and vegetable supplements on cardiovascular disease risk factors.(5)
Researchers found that fruit and vegetable supplements could increase levels of antioxidants within the body, which may help improve overall health.
They also found that these supplements were able to reduce markers of stress within the body.
It is important to note that additional research is needed to understand further the health effects of these fruit and vegetable supplements in healthy people and those at high risk for chronic diseases.
While more research is warranted, one 2019 review assessed the effect of fruit and vegetable concentrate supplementation on risk factors for chronic disease.(6)
Researchers found that fruit and vegetable concentrate supplementation reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease, but the research was unable to determine its effect on other chronic diseases.
Summary
Fruit and vegetable supplements appear to have a positive effect on cardiovascular disease. However, more research is needed to understand its impact on overall health and other chronic diseases.
Support for Claimed Benefits
Below is our summary of the available evidence for the claimed benefits of KaraMD Pure Nature based on the available research:
| Boosts immunity | 3/5 |
| Increases energy levels | 1/5 |
| Supports general health | 3/5 |
Some studies show some evidence to support the claim that fruit and vegetable supplements, like KaraMD Pure Nature, may support immunity and lower your risk of chronic disease, although further research is warranted.
There is no evidence to support an increase in energy from using the ingredients in this product.
Side Effects, Safety, and Dosage
The manufacturers of Pure Nature recommend taking 4 capsules daily. However, there is no further specification regarding when to take the supplement or whether to take it with food or not.
Considering Pure Nature is simply a blend of various fruits and vegetables, there are likely no side effects for most healthy people.
One study found that 2 people reported gastrointestinal distress, and 1 reported a hive-like rash after taking a fruit and vegetable supplement similar to KaraMD Pure Nature.(7)
Additionally, the study advises against using fruit and vegetable supplements for people undergoing cancer treatments due to possible interactions with chemotherapy.
Cost
One bottle of KaraMD Pure Nature costs $39.95.
If you order 3 bottles, you will save 10%, bringing the cost per bottle down to $35.96.
You will receive a 20% discount if you order 4 bottles, which brings the cost down to $31.96 per bottle. Orders over $40.00 include free shipping.
Pure Nature comes with a risk-free 90-day money-back guarantee.
When a product consists of proprietary blends, like Pure Nature, it becomes difficult to justify any price tag.
Proprietary formulas permit manufacturers to withhold important information about what’s really in a product; therefore, you don’t know what you’re paying for.
How KaraMD Pure Nature Compares to Alternatives
There are many fruit and vegetable powder products on the market.
These are appealing to consumers because many of us don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables or are concerned about our overall nutrient intake.
But, when compared to Pure Nature, there are other similar options available that may be a better choice.
Juice Plus is a similar product to KaraMD Pure Nature, but unlike Pure Nature, Juice Plus has several clinical trials to help back up its claims and is also third-party tested.(8)
Unlike KaraMD, Juice Plus provides a nutrition facts label listing exactly what is in the product and the amounts of nutrients per serving.
However, Juice Plus is slightly more expensive at $50.00 per month for their fruit and vegetable blend capsules.
Garden of Life makes a similar product called “Perfect Food.” Their supplement contains vegetables primarily but also includes ten probiotic strains to support digestive health.
Garden of Life is slightly more expensive than Pure Nature at $43.19 for a 1-month supply.
Steering clear of proprietary blends is your best bet when choosing any supplement.
Juice Plus is a superior alternative to Pure Nature because you know what you are paying for, and the product is backed by sound research.
The Bottom Line
For the fruit and vegetable adverse, KaraMD’s Pure Nature provides an alternative to produce consumption.
The question remains whether taking a fruit and vegetable supplement is as healthy as eating actual food.
While the idea of taking a pill rather than purchasing, washing, and even chopping produce may seem enticing, there are some limitations to this lifestyle.
Pure Nature is a proprietary blend, meaning it’s nearly impossible to analyze their ingredients for efficacy.
Additionally, the research surrounding the use of fruit and vegetable supplements versus eating produce is limited.
Moreover, it isn’t easy to get adequate fiber (and even perhaps antioxidants) from this more processed version of food.
More research is needed to determine whether the nutrients from produce that is dehydrated and crammed into a capsule are as beneficial as eating whole foods.
A Word from Our RD
As tempting as popping a pill may be to get all of your fruits and vegetables in for the day, there are several reasons to reconsider.
In their whole form, fruits and vegetables provide water and fiber, both of which will help you feel fuller for longer.
Additionally, eating actual food will give you the satisfaction of chewing, which can also prevent overeating.
If it feels overwhelming to add more produce into your life, start small. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither is healthy eating habits.
Start by adding one extra produce item per day. Then, try to gradually increase this to one fruit or vegetable with each meal and snack.
For example, add some fruit to your yogurt or oatmeal in the morning. Then consider layering lettuce, tomato, cucumber, and avocado into your sandwich at lunch.
If all else fails, try to find a whole fruit and vegetable product that is free from proprietary blends, and that is backed by clinical research.
