Update July 21 2025. What is Vemma? Is Vemma really the “Worlds Most Powerful liquid Antioxidant” or is Vemma a scam? These are some of the questions I've been asked lately, so I decided to do a Vemma review. When I went to the Vemma nutrition website, I discovered that Vemma is more than a supplement company. The company also has a multi-level marketing aspect to it, where people can have their own Vemma vitamin drink business and sell products to others. Other supplements I've reviewed previously that have a multilevel marketing business part include Shakeology, TriVita, and Juice Plus. Let’s leave the MLM part alone and just focus on Vemma itself. The CEO of Vemma says that it is “physician formulated” and “blends Eastern and Western Philosophies” and that Vemma contains “plant-based mysterious elements like OPCs and EGCGs. Currently, Vemma offers 6 different supplements but their flagship product is just called “Vemma”. What I want to do here is review science behind Vemma and see what we can discover.
Also, see the review of Vemma Bode Meal Replacement Shake.
Who Makes Vemma?
The supplement is a product of Vemma Nutrition Company. The address for the company is 8322 East Hartford Drive, Scottsdale, AZ 85255. A search on Google Images reveals that this address corresponds to a substantial building bearing the “Vemma” logo on the exterior.
On the science page of Vemma.com, it's mentioned that the company“owns, operates, and oversees” the facility that makes the supplement. That's good. The facility is located in Tempe, AZ. So this is a USA-made supplement. That's good too.
There is also another Vemma location that appears to be dedicated to its energy drink, called Verve. The address for that building is 3732 Virginia Beach Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23452.
According to the Better Business Bureau, the company has been in business since 2007. See the BBB file for updates and more information.
Update. Vemma has been rebranded as Bode.
Vemma Research
In a video on the product's website (vemma.com) the CEO of Vemma says he has put “hundreds of thousands of dollars into clinical science to prove what Vemma can do for you and your family.” Two studies were posted on their science page. These studies are:
Journal of Medicinal Food. Study name: Effect of a Mangosteen Dietary Supplement on Human Immune Function: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial. This study involved 59 people
and
Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Study name: Bioavailability and Antioxidant Effects of a Xanthone-Rich Mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) Product in Humans. This study involved 20 people.
Looking over the studies, I noticed that:
1. Both of these studies are published in health journals in 2009 and are peer-reviewed. That’s good.
2. Both studies involved humans, which is also good.
3. One of the studies notes that Vemma:
- increased T helper cells (an immune system cell) and other aspects of immunity,
- reduced CRP levels (a marker for cellular inflammation)
- improved overall feelings of health
Study Summary
Of these two studies, one basically says that the body can absorb the ingredients in Vemma, and the other finds that the supplement can help the immune system, lower inflammation, and help us feel better.
So, while that's less proof than I'd like, it's beneficial when a company helps support research on its own products, as this is rare. I look forward to other Vemma clinical trials.
Vemma Ingredients
The supplement has a lot of vitamins and minerals. While that's good, you'd also find those in many other health drinks.
Vemma has 1000 IUs of vitamin D. I usually suggest people get their vitamin D levels checked because low levels appear to increase the risk of various health problems. The RDA for vitamin D is increased to 15 mcg daily (600 IUs) and 20 mcg (800 IU) for those over age 70.
Vemma only appears to contain one type of vitamin E – alpha-tocopherol. There are eight different types of vitamin E. Alpha-tocopherol is the most common in the body. The other types of vitamin E are also antioxidants. Most supplements also only contain alpha-tocopherol.
The main ingredients in Vemma vitamin drinks are said to be:
- Mangosteen
- Aloe Vera
- Green tea
All 3 of these ingredients add up to 25.2 grams (that’s a little less than 1 ounce)
Let’s look at the research on each separately
Mangosteen
I believe mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) is the main active ingredient in Vemma because mangosteen is mentioned in the title of both of the Vemma studies conducted so far. Mangosteen is sometimes marketed in other products as Xango Juice.
Mangosteen does have some antioxidant effects. We, humans, make antioxidants naturally, and they are in fruits and vegetables as well as “superfoods” like mangosteen. That said, I should mention that there is no good proof that mangosteen is a better antioxidant than what you would find in other fruits. Mangosteen is a different kind of fruit and as such can be a part of a healthy diet, but whether it's better than other fruits, I don't think so.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera appears to have antioxidant and antibacterial properties. There is also some evidence that parts of aloe vera may have an effect on lowering insulin levels and weight loss. Other studies appear to show that aloe vera may help lower cholesterol and LDL levels as well as hemoglobin A1C levels (a marker for diabetes progression).
These studies are not on Vemma but on other aloe vera preparations, some of which may not be available to the public.
Studies showing aloe vera's positive effects typically use only about half an ounce per day. This is important to keep in mind, given that aloe vera can be a laxative.
Here is a brand of aloe juice on Amazon that has several positive reviews.
Green Tea
There is research showing that green tea may help various forms of cancer, Alzheimer's disease, and even weight loss and heart disease.
While EGCG in green tea often receives a lot of attention, it's essential to remember that green tea contains many other compounds that may have beneficial effects. As such, it's helpful to drink tea, rather than individual green tea ingredients that appear “sexy” to researchers.
The green tea used in Vemma is decaffeinated so it should not keep anyone awake at night.
Vemma Side Effects
The supplement has been around a long time and is likely safe in most healthy people. If you not healthy here are some things to consider.
- Start with less than the recommended amount for the first week
- Stop taking at least 2 weeks before having surgery
- Talk to your doctor if pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you take any medications
Mangosteen may have a blood-thinning effect due to its effect on the enzyme cyclooxygenase which does many things including playing a role in blood clotting. This may be an issue for people who take blood-thinning medications like Coumadin/Warfarin.
There is a report of a man who became sick using a mangosteen supplement every day for a year. The mangosteen supplement appeared to alter the acidity of the body, causing the man to vomit, have abdominal pain, and have rapid breathing. These are symptoms of a condition called lactic acidosis.
This doesn't mean Vemma will do the same thing.
- Some cancer therapies – like radiation therapy – kill cancer cells because they create free radicals. This is a good use of free radicals. Since antioxidants neutralize free radicals, would antioxidant supplements be bad for someone getting treated for cancer? This is a very BIG– and important – question that people must discuss with their doctor. This is true for all supplements.
- The question about mangosteen and cancer treatment has also been addressed by others, so do take this caution seriously if you have cancer. Given the complexity of cancer and cancer therapies, the decision to use antioxidant supplements is best made by an oncologist who is knowledgeable in these areas.
- Aloe vera may be a blood thinner. Speak to your doctor if you take blood-thinning medications. Aloe vera might also lower blood sugar so be careful if you are a diabetic. There is not much proof on either of these side effects, but be aware of them just in case.
As is listed on the Vemma FAQ sheet, the supplement contains a small amount of lithium. This may be due to its natural in the food. Lithium is sometimes used by doctors to treat manic depression. Could this interact with prescription depression medications or other natural treatments like methylene blue? What about supplements that might have similar effects 
There are isolated case reports of lithium supplement toxicity. Some research finds that lithium may cause the heart to beat irregularly. Would Vemma do this? I don't know.
Vemma also has a little Vanadium. Vanadium (as vanadyl sulfate) was once popular among weightlifters until they discovered it didn’t work for them. Vanadium may lower blood sugar levels, which means it might interact with diabetes medications.
Vemma And The FTC: Not Good News
In August 2015, the Federal Trade Commission took action against Vemma, alleging that the company was basically a Pyramid Scheme. The FTC alleged that Vemma specifically marketed itself to college students and other young adults with the prospect of getting rich selling Vemma supplements. In 2019, the company agreed to refund 2 million to affiliates who lost money on the supplement.
In 2018, the company rebranded Vema to Bode Pro. It is now part of a wider array of dietary supplements. Today, the new name for the supplement is Bode Strong OG.
Does Vemma Work?
While I like that there are a couple of studies on Vemma (now called Bode Strong OG), right now, the research isn't where I'd like it to be. There is some interesting research on mangosteen, but most of what I see involves test tubes or lab animal research. As such, I'm not sure if Vemma is better than other mangosteen products. I hear that new Vemma research is in the works, and I will add those studies to this review as I become aware of them. For now, I'm on the fence as to whether Vemma promotes health any better than just eating more “regular” fruits and vegetables.
See the review of the Vemma Bode Meal Replacement Shake.
What do you think?