Multi Vitamin Drink is  a product from Austrian based company Peeroton. This product has been stated to help support the immune system and the body’s defences. This review will identify the ingredients used in this product to understand if and how they can achieve these claims.

Fructose

Fructose is a simple carbohydrate and is an intermediary in the metabolism of glucose (1). It has a low caloric value, low glycemic index (2) and gives a sweeter taste (3).

Maltodextrin

Maltodextrin is a polysaccharide which is a complex carbohydrate. This ingredient is water soluble and unlike other carbohydrates, is easily digestible (4) and can give a quick release of energy without any spikes of glycaemia (5).

Beetroot juice powder

Beetroot juice powder is a different form of beetroot juice which are dried and processed to form concentrated powder. Beetroot juice includes nitrate (6) which converts into nitric oxide which can increase blood flow in the muscle (7). Another suggested mechanism is that nitric oxide acts as an electric transporter within the muscle which aids in the same way oxygen does (8). Other effects include a lower oxygen demand during submaximal work (9). It is also known to be an antioxidant (10).

Acidifier (citric acid, tartaric acid)

The main function of citric acid is the reduction of physical fatigue (11). The reason for this is due to citric acid being a major component of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle. TCA cycle is the process of converting carbohydrates, fats and proteins into carbon dioxide and water (12). By increasing citric acid it activates the TCA cycle and in turn speeds up ATP production thus replenishing energy.

Potassium citrate

Potassium citrate is a form of potassium which has several function such as regulating water balance (13), central nervous system function (14) and helps convert glucose into glycogen which provides energy to the bodies muscles (15).

Disodium phosphate

Disodium phosphate is an inorganic compound which is used as a food additive that helps keep water based and oil based products mixed together that would normally separate.

Calcium carbonate

Calcium carbonate is used as an acidity regulator, anticaking agent, stabiliser or colour

Magnesium carbonate

Magnesium Citrate has been found to be effective against muscle cramps (16), however a side effect that has been discovered is diarrhea (17), however this can be avoided by slowly increasing the dosage (18). 

Sodium chloride

Sodium chloride is otherwise known as salt. It is theorised that sodium chloride can help prevent cramps as the key mechanism in muscle contraction is the flooding of the action potential in the muscle membrane, and so if there is a sodium deficiency it may cause the muscle to cramp (19).

Sodium saccharin

Sodium saccharin is a sweetener that is calorie free. This ingredient is used in many products and is used to make the product taste sweeter and does not have any nutritional benefit. 

Xanthan Gum

Xanthan Gum are water soluble dietary fibres, which have been reported to reduce total cholesterol; however there seems to be insufficient evidence to confirm this theory. (20)

L-ascorbic acid (vitamin C)

Vitamin C is known to be a powerful antioxidant (21). Studies have suggested that it can increase endothelial nitric oxide by protecting it from oxidation and increasing synthesis, another function that Vitamin C has suggested includes reducing blood pressure (22), however the only proven function of vitamin C is the prevention of scurvy (23). 

Zinc glyceride

Zinc has been identified as a factor for many enzymes responsible for the synthesis, storage and release of insulin (24), with increases in lean body mass while fat mass either remains stable or decreases, depending on the degree of baseline zinc deficiency (25). With this evidence is has been shown that this ingredient is important for the growth and development of body tissues as well as this a variety of biological processes including wound healing and muscle cramps (26) have been found.

Dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate, 

Dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate is otherwise known as vitamin E and is an antioxidant (27). This means that it protects the muscles from free radicals, which causes muscle soreness and damage to the muscle tissue and fat cells (28). Dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate can counteract these free radicals before damaging these parts of the body which can allow exercise to be prolonged (29).

Niacinamide

Niacin is otherwise known as vitamin B3 and is an antioxidant. Research studies have shown that niacin supplementation increases growth hormones in response to anaerobic exercise (30) as well as a reduction in fasting triglycerides (31). An increase in fasting insulin has been found due to a decrease in insulin sensitivity (32). Further research is needed for this supplement in order to understand the mechanisms.

Calcium D-pantothenate

Calcium D-pantothenate (pantothenic acid) is otherwise known as vitamin B5 and is water soluble. This ingredient helps keep a healthy digestive tract (33) and uses vitamin B2 (34). Pantothenic acid has pantethine which has been found to lower cholesterol (35).

Pyridoxol hydrochloride 

Pyridoxine hydrochloride is a form of Vitamin B6. The active form of vitamin B6 is known as P-L-P (36), which is stimulated by exercise (37). During exercise the body relies on the liver to produce glucose via glycogenolysis, for which vitamin b6 is essential for, and is an integral part of the glycogen phosphorylase enzyme and thus will provide energy to the bodies’ muscles (38).

Thiamine hydrochloride

Thiamine is also known as vitamin B1 (39) and is essential in carbohydrate metabolism and oxidation (40). The reported effect that have been found includes, a decrease in heart rate, blood glucose and lactate concentrations (41). 

Riboflavin

Riboflavin is a nutrient that has been found to help in fat metabolism via the electron-transport chain (42) and an antioxidant (43). It is also one of many nutrients that helps in the production of red blood cells. Levels of riboflavin has been found to diminish during exhaustive exercise (44).

Sucrose

Sucrose is a simple carbohydrate and is an intermediary in the metabolism of glucose (45). It has a low caloric value, low glycemic index (46) and gives a sweeter taste (47).

Gum arabic

Gum arabic excipient has no nutritional value. The main use of this ingredient is as a tablet binder and an emulsifying agent.

Chromium III chloride hexahydrate

Chromium(III) chloride hexahydrate is stored in the liver. It has been found to increase the absorption of vitamin C and Niacin (48,49) as well as enhancing the role of insulin which is responsible for the metabolism of fats, carbohydrates and protein (50).

Corn starch

Corn starch has no nutritional benefits as its function in supplements is to protect vitamins on their passage through the bodies stomach.

Cholecalciferol (vitamin D)

Cholecalciferol is a form of Vitamin D and helps with the absorption of calcium in the stomach (51). Calcium is a vital part of dietary consumption in order to aid growth and maintenance of bones (52). Other important benefits of calcium include helping blood clotting (53), heart contractions (54), lungs (55) and muscles to function properly (56), this is due to calcium binding with phosphate to create calcium phosphate (57).

Peeroton states that this product supports the immune system and the body’s defences. The ingredients in this product can help to achieve this claim. This supplement is recommended to be taken/consumed up to 60 minutes post workout or throughout the day.   This product has no banned substances when referring to the WADA prohibited list when observing the label/ ingredients posted on the website. 

*NOTE – This product has not been tested in a laboratory and may contain other substances that may not appear on the label

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