Ingredient profile
Eleuthero in Sugar Defender: Fifth in the Blend, at Most 40 mg
Eleuthero in Sugar Defender is an Eleutherococcus senticosus root extract, fifth of 22 ingredients in the 200 mg blend, so one 1 mL serving holds at most 40 mg. One trial used 800 mg a day. Human studies are limited, show no clear energy effect, and its blood sugar data come only from animals.
Written by the Sugar Defender label teamUpdated
The label line01
What is eleuthero in Sugar Defender?
Eleuthero in Sugar Defender is an extract of Eleutherococcus senticosus root, printed as "Eleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract" in the blend. The shrub is often sold as Siberian ginseng.
Despite that name, it is not Panax ginseng. The two are different plants, and Panax ginseng has its own line further down the label.
The brand's photo shows dark berries on the stem. The label uses the root, so the picture shows the plant, not the part in the drops.
Eleuthero is the fifth of 22 blend lines, after maca, grape seed, guarana and African mango.
| Name on the label | Eleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract |
|---|---|
| What it is | Siberian ginseng root |
| Place on the label | 5 of 22 in the 200 mg proprietary blend |
| Amount per mL (1 dropper) | Not listed; #5 of 22 in the 200 mg blend, so at most 40 mg per mL |
| Amount used in research | 800 mg a day in one trial |
| Strength of evidence | No effect in rigorous studies |
| Marketed or traditional use | Traditional tonic |
| Main caution | Can raise digoxin levels. |
Blend math02
How much eleuthero is in Sugar Defender?
Sugar Defender holds at most 40 mg of eleuthero per 1 mL serving. The cap comes from fifth place in the label order; no amount is printed.
Blend lines are listed heaviest first (21 CFR 101.36 (eCFR)). Four lines sit above eleuthero, and each weighs at least as much. Five shares that size fit in 200 mg only if each is 40 mg or less.
An even split gives about 9 mg. So the likely amount sits between a few milligrams and 40 mg.
| Scenario | Eleuthero | Share of 800 mg |
|---|---|---|
| Even split (200 mg / 22) | About 9 mg per mL | About 1.1% |
| Label-order ceiling (place 5) | At most 40 mg per mL | 5%, one-twentieth |
| Trial dose | 800 mg a day | 100% |
| Printed on the label | Not published | Not published |
Dose vs research03
What eleuthero dose has been studied?
One trial of eleuthero used 800 mg a day, and that is the reference dose in our profile (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)). Memorial Sloan Kettering says human studies are limited and more are needed.
At the 40 mg ceiling, a 1 mL serving is one-twentieth of that trial dose. On an even split, it is closer to one-ninetieth.
To match 800 mg at the ceiling would take 20 servings a day. The label says 1 mL a day, and nothing here suggests taking more.
Trial dose
800 mg a day.
Most per mL
40 mg, set by fifth place.
Likely per mL
About 9 mg on an even split.
Evidence04
Does eleuthero work for energy or blood sugar?
No clear effect has been shown for either. Small studies found little or no benefit for physical performance (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance), and MSK says the blood sugar findings come only from animal studies (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)).
Animal results often fail to carry over to people. Until human trials test it, eleuthero has no shown role in blood sugar.
No study has tested eleuthero inside Sugar Defender, or the full formula.
Energy and performance
Small human studies; no clear benefit.
Blood sugar
No human data to judge it by.
Sales claim05
Does eleuthero in Sugar Defender increase energy and reduce fatigue?
The evidence does not show it. The sales page lists eleuthero under "Increases Energy & Reduces Fatigue" (Sugar Defender sales and order pages), but rigorous human studies found no clear effect, at doses far above the label ceiling (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)) (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance).
If the drops feel energizing, caffeine is a likelier source. Guarana sits third in the blend and green tea seventh, and the label prints no caffeine amount (MSKCC, Guarana).
That matters for timing. Read about both on the guarana and green tea in Sugar Defender profile.
Our eleuthero for fatigue post checks the energy claim study by study.
Sugar Defender: from $49 a bottle60 mL · 1 mL a day · free US shipping on 3 or 6 · 60-day money-back guarantee
See packsCautions06
Is the eleuthero in Sugar Defender safe with digoxin?
Ask your doctor first if you take digoxin. A case report found eleuthero raised blood digoxin levels, and it may also cause falsely high digoxin test results (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)).
Digoxin is a heart-rhythm and heart-failure drug with a narrow safe range. Even a false reading could lead to the wrong dose change, so tell whoever orders your blood tests.
For most other adults, short-term eleuthero use appears safe in small studies (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance). The label asks anyone on medication, or pregnant or nursing, to consult a physician.
Do not change a heart or diabetes medicine because of a supplement. Bring the bottle to your next visit so your doctor can read the full blend.
In the serving07
How does eleuthero fit in a 1 mL Sugar Defender serving?
Eleuthero is one of the five largest shares in each 1 mL Sugar Defender serving, inside the 200 mg blend. Astragalus root follows it at place 6.
Two roots on the label are sold as ginsengs: eleuthero here, and Panax ginseng at place 12. Their research differs, as the Panax ginseng in Sugar Defender profile shows.
The liquid base around the blend is water, citrus extract, natural flavors, stevia and xylitol.
What the label does not tell you
- Milligrams of eleuthero per mL
- The extract ratio or standard
- Whether it matches the trial extract
Bottom line08
Is eleuthero a good reason to choose Sugar Defender?
No. The eleuthero in Sugar Defender is a named, larger share of the blend, but it holds at most a twentieth of the studied dose, and the energy claim lacks support.
If tiredness is the problem, it is worth a doctor visit. Fatigue has many causes, and some need testing.
Before you order, check the label flags on who Sugar Defender is for, and compare all lines on the Sugar Defender ingredients list.
FAQ09
Eleuthero in Sugar Defender: questions
How much eleuthero is in Sugar Defender?
The label prints no amount. Eleuthero is fifth of 22 lines in a 200 mg blend, so one 1 mL serving holds at most 40 mg. An even split would be about 9 mg. The trial in our profile used 800 mg a day (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)).
Does Sugar Defender use eleuthero root or berries?
The root. The label reads "Eleutherococcus Senticosus Root Extract". The brand's photo shows the plant's dark berries, which are not the part in the drops. The label gives no extract ratio, so the strength of the root extract is unknown.
Can I take Sugar Defender if I take digoxin?
Talk to your doctor first. A case report found eleuthero raised blood digoxin levels, and it may make digoxin tests read falsely high (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)). The amount per mL is small, but digoxin has a narrow safe range, and your doctor should decide.
Will the eleuthero in Sugar Defender give me more energy?
There is no good evidence it will. Small studies found little or no performance benefit (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance), and MSK found no clear effect (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)). Any lift you feel from the drops is more likely from the caffeine in guarana and green tea.
Does eleuthero affect blood sugar in people?
That has not been shown. MSK says the blood sugar findings for eleuthero come only from animal studies (MSKCC, Siberian Ginseng (Eleuthero)). Without human trials, nobody can say whether it changes glucose in people, least of all at 40 mg or less.
Is eleuthero safe to take every day?
Short-term use appears safe in small studies (NIH ODS, Exercise & Athletic Performance), but long-term data are thin. The dose on the label is 1 mL a day. If you take digoxin or any other medicine, or are pregnant or nursing, ask a physician before daily use.
Who wrote this10
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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