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Hum Nutrition asserts that Skinny Bird endeavors to amplify the sensation of being satisfied and foster emotional equilibrium, thus aiding in the prevention of overeating triggered by stress.
As an example, they state that Skinny Bird can potentially contribute to a reduction of 230 calories in daily consumption, leading to the attainment of a healthy weight.
But can these claims be proven through scientific evidence or is Hum Nutrition just going overboard with the marketing? Also, does this formula contain any harmful additives? And what do real people have to say about Skinny Bird?
In this article, I’ll be answering all of these questions and more as we analyze the ingredients in Skinny Bird. We will also review relevant medical research to give our take on whether it’s likely to be effective.
Main Takeaways
- Skinny Bird has some promising ingredients such as 5-HTP and Green Tea Extract (in terms of their appetite-curbing and fat-loss effects) but they seem to be significantly underdosed to be called effective.
- The sum of all the reviews I’ve come across is generally negative, stating that Skinny Bird does not produce the desired effect. Yes, some individuals are happy with the supplement, but with 100+ reviews and 3.7/5 stars on Amazon, it’s not ideal.
- There are no harmful additives present in Skinny Bird, which means it’s very likely you may not experience any side effects from consuming it.
Ingredient Analysis
As you can see from the image above, Skinny Bird contains four unique ingredients.
And the first claim is that ingredients such as Caralluma Fimbriata extract and 5-HTP are associated with decreased food intake due to their ability to help you feel fuller.
This recent study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of Caralluma fimbriata (C. fimbriata) as a weight loss supplement.
Although pre-clinical studies on rats showed positive effects of C. fimbriata in reducing weight and controlling appetite, the meta-analysis involving human subjects found that it was ineffective in reducing body weight or controlling appetite.
Additionally, C. fimbriata did not show any significant impact on metabolic parameters such as lipid profile and blood glucose levels.
5-HTP acts as a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is frequently associated with the sensation of happiness.
Research indicates that 5-HTP is highly effective in elevating levels of serotonin and exhibits promise in the treatment of depression.
Additionally, a separate study that evaluated the effectiveness of 5-HTP in comparison to fluvoxamine, revealed that 5-HTP was on par with fluvoxamine regarding its antidepressant properties.
More importantly, there is evidence suggesting that 5-HTP could contribute to weight loss. Scientists have documented weight reduction as a result of heightened satiety, or the sensation of being full, following supplementation with 5-HTP.
In one study, there was a reported increase in the feeling of fullness and a decrease in the propensity for binge eating among women who were either overweight or obese.
Additionally, another study made a distinction in the effects of 5-HTP, indicating that while it did enhance the feeling of fullness, it did not have a significant impact on the suppression of appetite.
However, the dosage in Skinny Bird is inferior to the one used in the studies, so it’s possible the supplement may not be as effective.
The second claim is that green tea extract, another key ingredient in Skinny Bird, can help reduce calorie intake and inhibit enzymes involved in fat storage.
Interestingly, a meta-analysis that encompassed 11 randomized controlled trials (of which 10 utilized green tea extract and one employed whole green tea) discovered a statistically significant decrease in body weight, Body Mass Index (BMI), and body fat among participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.
But because the participants all had type 2 diabetes, it’s unclear whether this benefit is also found in people with overweight or obesity but without type 2 diabetes.
Additionally, the positive effects of green tea catechins on lipid oxidation and associated fat-burning pathways are realized in a manner that is dependent on the dosage. In humans, noteworthy effects are observed solely at elevated doses, typically in the range of 400-500mg of EGCG equivalent per day.
Skinny Bird is a bit far from that range.
The third, and last ingredient-related claim, is that chromium “supports healthy blood sugar levels already within normal ranges while reducing cravings”.
It’s true that chromium regulates insulin in the body and it is sometimes supplemented to improve insulin action in the body.
But when chromium is supplemented by people with normal or elevated chromium levels, there are no reliable effects.
In other words, there’s no evidence suggesting that supplementing chromium will help reduce any cravings you might gave.
Any Questionable Additives in Skinny Bird?
I tend to favor evaluating the safety of ingredients based on the standards set by the European Union.
The reasoning for this preference is anchored in the understanding that the EU enforces more rigorous regulations compared to the US.
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) is mandated to rigorously assess any dietary supplement for both safety and efficacy prior to its entry into the market.
Conversely, the US regulatory framework assigns the responsibility to manufacturers to ascertain the safety and accuracy of labeling for their products. In this framework, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) primarily steps in when there is an indication of a problem with a product that is already available in the market.
As a result, the regulatory environment in the EU instills a greater level of confidence in ingredient safety from my POV.
Having said that, all the ingredients enumerated on Skinny Bird’s label have been deemed safe by the EU, so there is no real cause for concern.
What Do Real Users Have to Say?
This is a video from a Youtube creator called Dani T sharing her experience with Skinny Bird:
It’s also important, in my opinion, to look at customer reviews on third-party websites or retailers to see what’s the response.
On Amazon, Skinny Bird has a total of 106 reviews, and the product has 3.7/5 stars, which is certainly not good, but it’s also not surprising considering the previous studies.
Here’s what some of the verified customers have to say:
“Update: I took this for a couple of weeks, the bathroom problem stopped and I did start to notice some results. My appetite was reduced and I lost a couple of pounds, but then I started to get a metallic taste in my mouth that just continued to get worse. I stopped taking the pills and within a day or two the metallic taste was gone. So I stopped taking them for good. The pills seem to work, but they’re just not for me.
I’ve taken 3 servings so far, 1 before each meal, and I don’t really notice any curbing of my appetite. It is making me have to go to the bathroom a lot… I will try it for as long as I can to see if it gets better, but not too hopeful right now.” – Mother of Winter
“This product definitely works for me! My only criticism would be it does cause some stomach upset and it isn’t the most convenient to need to take it 3x a day 30mins before eating!” – Elizabeth
“I know it does not happen overnight but It’s been a couple of weeks and I Have not noticed a difference. 🤷♀️ I will continue taking see if any changes.” – Abigail Valadez
“Recently I gained about 12lbs due to changes in medicine and a more sedentary lifestyle from exciting demand at work and my poor habits lead to mindless eating as well. I’d been looking for a way to curb my appetite and in general not feel like eating every waking moment of the day. Super excited to say I just ordered Skinny Bird and have tried it for a day and feel a mind shift away from sugar and junk food. It feels amazing!!! Excited to have something to help with anxiety eating and bored eating. Feeling encouraged and know the results will follow!!
Update, this is an amazing pill that allows relief from thinking and wanting to eat food. All. The. Time. However, the side effect of these pills for me is that I am unable to sleep. I know my body is very sensitive to stimulants. I do drink at least two cups of of coffee each day. But for some reason I think it is the 5-htp that helps block the thoughts of
food – which is awesome!! – but for me it also simply doesn’t allow me to sleep at night without the help of a pharmaceutical. As such I have discontinued taking these pills. Honestly, I am contemplating taking the pills for a few weeks, because they work so well, and just taking a pharmaceutical sleeping aid at night to jump-start a diet. 🤔” – Lori Harrison
Conclusion
As you can see from the ingredients and the sum of all the reviews, Skinny Bird doesn’t come across as an effective supplement.
While it has promising ingredients such as 5-HTP and Green Tea Extract, they appear to be underdosed when compared to clinical evidence.
Therefore, although vegan, Skinny Bird is not a supplement I’d recommend.
If you want an alternative that is more effective for losing weight, you can look into fiber powders, particularly those containing resistant starch fiber.
A medical analysis of different studies in the Advances in Nutrition Journal found that eating resistant starch can help improve gut health, help overweight and obese people lose weight, and make the body better at using insulin.
If you’re interested in a recommendation Supergut is a brand that uses such fiber.
Editor’s note: The content on this website is meant to be informative in nature, but it should not be taken as medical advice. The content of our articles is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of health problems. It’s always best to speak with your doctor or a certified medical professional before making any changes to your lifestyle, diet, or exercise routine, or trying a new supplement.
