I’m not a regular consumer of diet products, and because of the tainted history of a lot of weight loss foods and supplements, I was quite apprehensive to try Nutra-Trim Gum. The gum contains three ingredients touted to increase metabolism and help control cravings: green tea, L-Carnitine, and Chromium. The makers are quick to point out that “Nutra-Trim is the only chewing gum to provide the active ingredient Chromium Picolinate.” They also say that, barring sensitivity to its ingredients, a person could chew multiple packs of Nutra-Trim at one time (that’s quite a wad!) and not suffer adverse effects.
Marketing excitement aside, before that stuff made it into my mouth, I checked out Wikipedia for some insight. In fairness, if I researched all the finely printed ingredients on most of the processed food I eat, I’d probably come up with some eyebrow-raising results. Here’s a synopsis of what I found about the active ingredients in Nutra-Trim:
Chromium: I don’t know how similar humans are to hamsters, but apparently chromium picolinate complex causes chromosome damage in hamster cells. In humans, chromium picolinate is used as an aid in weight loss.
L-Carnitine: L-Carnitine and supplements listing L-Carnitine are banned from sale in Canada. It’s a “quaternary ammonium compound synthesized from the amino acids lysine and methionine and is responsible for the transport of fatty acids from the cytosol into the mitochondria.”
As for Green Tea, the article seems to basically say that experts argue over its health benefits, but there aren’t any real downsides to consuming it.
After considering the above information, I thought about all the boxed dinners and fast food with unknown ingredients I’ve consumed over the years, and decided to put aside worry and chew some Nutra-Trim. The packs contain twelve pieces of gum each and cost more than a dollar per pack. I chewed two pieces at once, as directed, but didn’t do it the recommended three times per day.
It’s pellet-style gum, and the shell isn’t quite as hard as some pellet gum, but not soft like stick gum. The berry flavor emits a lovely smell, but not such a lovely taste. It’s oddly bitter, and lost almost all berry taste quickly. Chewing was a little rough, and I could only blow small, easily popped bubbles (although obviously the purpose of Nutra-Trim has nothing to do with competing with Bubblicious). The bitter taste almost disappeared after a few minutes, leaving a sort of berry-like atmosphere in my sinuses (no kidding). My roommate commented that my breath “really smelled like Red Bull.”
The spearmint pellets were better. The strong mint taste made my eyes water a little, and the weird bitterness wasn’t as strong. It left my breath smelling fresh (yes, I asked) for a decent amount of time, and I definitely recommend it over the berry gum. However, both flavors were sub-par compared to sugarless gums like Dentyne and Extra, which, granted, don’t make weight management claims.
Being a little paranoid, I kept waiting for some sort of strong feeling to overtake me—extreme energy, heart pains, definitely something dramatic, but nothing happened. I can’t comment on the effectiveness of the gum in terms of weight management because I didn’t chew more than necessary for a basic review, but I suspect that a daily dose of veggies and a long walk will do more for my health than six pieces of gum.
If you’re a consumer of diet products, I suppose Nutra-Trim Gum isn’t the worst tasting thing in the world. I’ll leave it to others to see if it helps with weight loss.
Buy Nutra-Trim Online
I found this item at a local health food store. I have been in the candy biz a long time. I made a purchase of this gum, attracted by the ingredients, as I’m more familiar with them than what you quoted from Wikipedia. I chose the berry flavor, is a citrusy berry and not overbearing in flavor. The package recommends two pieces three times a day, but I find that once a day, two pieces, does help control hunger pangs. When there’s control of hunger pangs then weight management is boostered, but not resolved. Sensible consumers are looking for a magic pill, but all of us can dream. I didn’t notice any bitterness, perhaps yours was improperly handled ie exposed to too much heat in transportation to the store or in your car.
May 3rd, 2007 at 5:08 pmThis looks great! It would be fun to have it before my neighbor buys it and shows off to me.
June 15th, 2007 at 8:12 amDear Candy Addict,
Somehow my name and DIET HUMOUR Web site (DANIEL WORONA: danworona.50megs.com) ended up on your website. I am truly honored.
I would be happy to exchange links with the CANDY ADDICT.
Love the CANDY ADDICT Web site.
June 26th, 2007 at 6:02 pmOMG! I can’t believe there is a gum to help control hunger pangs! This could even possibly help you lose weight! And the best thing is it doesn’t sound nasty! This is so cool!
LATER!
June 27th, 2007 at 3:43 pmI just wanted to add that another ingredient is guarana which is a form of caffeine and may be what Victoria’s roommate thought smelled like Red Bull.
The guarana means I can’t use in the evening, but during the day I find a piece of spearmint Nutra-Trim can help me stay on track.
February 6th, 2008 at 8:43 amI’m chewing it for the first time right now, got a free pack so decided to give it a try, I hate gum but would chew this if it really helps control cravings like the package says. I diet and exercise but tend to get hungry an hour or so after some meals, this would be great if it could help me get to the next mealtime comfortably. I was thinking I needed a snack so thought it a good time to try the gum, I don’t want a snack right now but that could be because I’m typing or a placebo effect, I guess Ill try it this week until the pack of 48pc is gone before I make any opinion. Ive been chewing for about 5-10 min, the package does not say how long to chew. Its not a bad taste (I’m not picky) but I don’t like gum so want to spit it out as soon as possible, I wish the package said how long should chew it.
February 9th, 2008 at 7:54 pmI didn’t like the taste the gum left in my mouth so I ate some chips and salsa to get rid of it, now I have a salty spicy taste of chips and salsa in my mouth I need to eat something to get rid of that. Well Ill keep trying this gum I have plenty of chips and salsa left.
February 9th, 2008 at 8:57 pmI don’t really care if it helps me lose weight just by sitting on my butt.. But it would be nice if it keeps me from snacking every five seconds.
I don’t need help to lose weight. I just need something make me survive 3 hours without food..
So I bought some… let see if it works..^_^
May 19th, 2008 at 11:44 pmI bought this at walmart a week ago and I got the spearmint flavor kind. It came with 48 pieces and it was around 5 dollars and some change. I chew two pieces once a day in the afternoon when my cravings are peaked and I haven’t really craved much of anything at all. I’ve dropped 2 lbs just by cutting out all my bad snacking. The taste is pretty over powering at first but you get use to it over time. =P If you’re counting calories though make sure to log these! They are really around 8 calories a piece though. I really like this though because I just stick a sleeve of it in my purse and can chew some before the gym, or while I’m grocery shopping(you tend to buy more junk food when you’re hungry shopping, lol) and it’s just a really nice little addition to my excercise and diet rutine.
February 6th, 2009 at 2:24 pmare there any symptoms?
March 23rd, 2009 at 5:47 pmIt’s March and I’m in a wedding in June. I am able to zip my bridesmaid dress but I can’t breathe in it. I’m actually a size small/medium and don’t consider myself needing to lose weight. But my stomach is all the way flat and if this gum helps me lose the inch around my belly so I’m able to breathe..then so be it.
I bought the gum yesterday after work (spearmint) and it taste great. I chew 2 pieces like recommended. I tried it 30 min after a meal because I find myself wanting a snack about an hour after a meal. I found myself not craving anything.
So I tried it again this morning on my way to work and found when it was time for breakfast, I was very hungery so I had a small portion breakfast. I am on my second serving of gum today since it’s been an hour after breakfast and I don’t feel like snacking. I also drink a cup of water too.
Seems to be working!
March 9th, 2010 at 9:32 am