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Is Sugar Defender Bad for You? Kidneys, Liver and Heart
Is Sugar Defender bad for you? Nobody can say, because no safety study of the product exists. The doses are small, but a few ingredients carry kidney, liver and heart notes in their own sources. Some groups should ask a doctor first or skip it. The label lists clear warnings.
Written by the Sugar Defender label teamUpdated · 4 min read
The short answer01
Is Sugar Defender bad for you?
There is no evidence that Sugar Defender is bad for healthy adults at 1 mL a day. There is also no evidence that it is safe, because no one has tested it.
The blend totals 200 mg per serving, so each plant is a small share. Small shares make strong harm less likely, though they do not rule it out for sensitive people.
Three body systems come up most in safety sources: kidneys, liver and heart. Each is covered below, with what we know and do not know.
Kidneys02
Can African mango harm the kidneys?
One case of kidney failure requiring dialysis has been reported with African mango (MSKCC, Irvingia gabonensis (African mango)). A single case report does not prove cause.
The same source calls the weight loss evidence weak and lists gas, headache and poor sleep as reported effects. It also lists a caution with diabetes drugs (MSKCC, Irvingia gabonensis (African mango)).
African mango is 4th in the blend, so it holds at most about 50 mg per mL. Anyone with kidney disease should ask a doctor before trying any new herbal product.
Liver03
Is green tea in Sugar Defender safe for the liver?
Rarely a problem. Liver injury has been reported in some people using green tea products, mainly extracts in tablets or capsules, and it is uncommon (NCCIH, Green Tea).
Green tea leaf is 7th in the blend, at most about 29 mg per mL. That is far less than a typical extract pill, but the amount is not printed.
People with liver disease, or who drink alcohol heavily, should ask a clinician first. Yellow skin or eyes and dark urine are reasons to stop and call.
Heart04
Can Sugar Defender affect the heart or blood pressure?
Some ingredients can. A licorice compound can cause irregular heartbeat at large intakes, and people with high blood pressure may be at risk even from small amounts (NCCIH, Licorice Root).
Coleus and arginine can lower blood pressure. Caffeine from guarana and green tea can raise heart rate. Together, they point in different directions, so a person with a heart condition should ask first.
| If you... | Do this |
|---|---|
| Are under 18 | Skip it; the label says not intended for you |
| Are pregnant or nursing | Consult your physician first |
| Take any other medication | Consult your physician first |
| Have kidney, liver or heart disease | Ask your doctor first |
| Have a dog at home | Store the bottle out of reach; xylitol is dangerous to dogs (FDA, Paws Off Xylitol) |
The verdict05
What is the fair verdict on Sugar Defender safety?
The fair verdict is "unproven, probably low risk at the label dose for healthy adults, and not for everyone".
The bigger risk may be indirect. Someone could treat the drops as a stand-in for care. No dietary supplement treats diabetes.
Never stop or change a medicine because you started a supplement. Talk to your doctor first.
Compare the label with the Sugar Defender side effects page, and see who it is and is not for on the who Sugar Defender is for page.
FAQ06
Is Sugar Defender bad for you: quick questions
Is Sugar Defender harmful to kidneys?
There is no study of the product. One case of kidney failure was reported with African mango, a blend ingredient. If you have kidney disease, ask your doctor before using the drops.
Is Sugar Defender safe to take daily?
The label directs a daily 1 mL dose, but no long-term safety study exists. Check in with your doctor regularly, especially if you take medicine or have a health condition.
Can a healthy adult take Sugar Defender safely?
Probably, at the label dose, but nobody has tested it. Caffeine and stomach upset are the likeliest issues. Skip it if you are under 18, and ask first if pregnant or nursing.
What are the warning signs that Sugar Defender is not right for me?
Stop and call a doctor for yellow skin, dark urine, chest pain, fainting, severe stomach pain or an allergic reaction. Call 911 for a severe low or trouble breathing.
Who wrote this07
Written and reviewed by
Pages built from the label, the sales page and linked NIH, FDA, CDC, FTC and peer-reviewed sources.
Last updated . Read our editorial standards and the way we check reviews. This website is run by an authorized American Sugar Defender outlet, not by the manufacturer or the distributor. Purchases made through our order links earn us money.
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