Ensure is a nutritional drink that can provide many health benefits. It is packed with vitamins, minerals, protein and calories to help support overall health. Here we will explore the top benefits of drinking Ensure regularly.
What is Ensure?
Ensure is a nutritional shake made by Abbott Nutrition. It comes in both liquid and powder forms to provide balanced nutrition in a convenient, portable product. Ensure contains a mix of protein, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins and minerals tailored to help meet nutritional needs.
Some of the key ingredients in Ensure include:
- Protein – 6-10 grams per serving from sources like milk protein and soy protein isolate
- Vitamins & minerals – including vitamins A, B, C, D, E and K. Also provides iron, calcium, zinc and more.
- Fiber – 3 grams per serving from sources like oat fiber and soy polysaccharide
- Calories – Up to 350 calories per serving to help maintain or gain weight as needed
With this nutritionally balanced formula, Ensure can offer a variety of benefits.
1. Helps Maintain Healthy Weight
One of the key benefits of Ensure is that it can help you maintain a healthy weight. Each 8 ounce serving provides 250 calories along with key macros like protein and carbs to help support your daily needs.
For seniors or those struggling with unwanted weight loss, Ensure can provide much needed calories and nutrients to get weight back on track. The calories, protein and nutrients in Ensure can help counteract nutritionally inadequate diets and prevent muscle wasting due to inactivity or illness.
On the other hand, Ensure can also help with healthy weight gain goals. Athletes or those looking to put on weight can use Ensure as a simple way to up their caloric intake. Drinking Ensure between meals or as a snack provides extra calories needed to fuel muscle growth and weight gain.
Tips to Use Ensure for Weight Goals
- Drink 1-2 Ensure shakes per day to add 250-500 extra calories
- Use Ensure Compact shakes for an on-the-go calorie boost
- Choose Ensure Plus for additional protein and calories in each serving
- Mix with milk or blend with fruit to further increase calories and nutrients
2. Supports Muscle Health
In addition to calories, Ensure also contains ample amounts of protein – typically 6-10 grams per serving. Consuming enough protein is crucial for building and maintaining muscle mass.
Research shows that older adults need higher amounts of protein daily to help prevent age-related muscle loss. Protein intake is also key for muscle growth in athletes and bodybuilders.
The high-quality protein in Ensure can help meet these increased protein needs in a tasty and convenient way. Drinking Ensure provides quick and complete protein to nourish muscles and keep them functioning properly.
Ensure Protein Content
| Ensure Product | Grams of Protein Per Serving |
|---|---|
| Ensure Original | 8g |
| Ensure Plus | 13g |
| Ensure High Protein | 20g |
| Ensure Max Protein | 30g |
3. Provides Essential Vitamins & Minerals
In addition to protein, Ensure is also formulated with a vitamin and mineral blend to help meet daily needs. It contains at least 24 essential vitamins and minerals including:
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin B2
- Vitamin B3
- Vitamin B6
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin C
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin E
- Vitamin K
- Biotin
- Pantothenic Acid
- Calcium
- Phosphorus
- Iron
- Zinc
Consuming vitamins and minerals in optimal amounts is necessary for everything from bone health to immune function. However, research shows many people fail to meet the recommended intakes for key nutrients.
Drinking Ensure is an easy way to help close potential nutrient gaps and make sure your body has the micronutrients it needs for optimal health.
Daily Value Percentages for Key Vitamins & Minerals in Ensure Original
| Vitamin/Mineral | Percentage of Daily Value |
|---|---|
| Vitamin A | 10% |
| Vitamin C | 50% |
| Vitamin D | 25% |
| Calcium | 35% |
| Iron | 22% |
4. May Help Manage Blood Sugar
Balanced nutrition is important for anyone, but especially critical for those with diabetes. Ensure’s blend of protein, fiber and nutrients can help support healthy blood sugar control.
Research suggests that choosing beverages with a balance of protein and carbs, as found in Ensure, may help manage glucose and insulin responses. The fiber and nutrients in Ensure can also aid blood sugar management.
One study found that drinking Ensure as part of a diabetes-friendly diet plan helped improve A1C levels in older adults with diabetes. Consult your doctor to see if Ensure may be a good addition for your diabetes care plan.
5. Supports Digestive Health
Ensure contains 3 grams of fiber per serving, which is important for digestive health. The dietary fiber comes from ingredients like oat fiber and soy polysaccharide.
Getting enough fiber promotes regularity and healthy bowel movements. Fiber also feeds the good bacteria in your gut microbiome to support digestive health.
Additionally, drinking Ensure can help with unwanted digestive issues. Those struggling with diarrhea, nausea or poor intake can use Ensure to provide gentle nutrition that is easy to digest and won’t further upset the stomach.
6. Boosts Immunity
Ensure contains antioxidants like vitamins A, C and E along with the mineral zinc. These nutrients are essential for a healthy immune response.
Older adults are especially susceptible to immune dysfunction and need higher intakes of protective nutrients. Drinking Ensure can help provide key antioxidants to boost immunity and fight infection.
Some Ensure products also contain probiotics like Lactobacillus acidophilus to further support digestive and immune health.
7. Improves Energy Levels
The calories, carbohydrates and nutrients in Ensure can help boost your energy levels. Each serving provides quick fuel and long-lasting energy.
The B vitamins in Ensure – including biotin, niacin and pantothenic acid – also aid energy production and help fight fatigue and tiredness.
Those recovering from illness can use Ensure to replenish energy stores without taxing the digestive system. Athletes can also use it for increased energy and stamina during workouts and competitions.
8. Supports Heart Health
Ensure contains vital nutrients for a healthy heart like vitamin C, vitamin E and magnesium. It provides fiber and plant sterols that can help manage cholesterol levels.
Research shows that drinking Ensure as part of the DASH diet, which focuses on lowering blood pressure, can support healthy circulation. This makes Ensure a smart choice for those managing blood pressure.
9. Good for Seniors & Older Adults
Ensure can be an excellent dietary supplement for seniors and older adults. As you age, calorie needs decline but nutrient needs often remain high. Drinking Ensure provides concentrated nutrition to meet increased vitamin, mineral and protein needs.
Ensure is also a good choice for older adults struggling with chewing or swallowing issues. Its smooth, creamy texture makes it easy to drink even when the appetite is low.
Regularly drinking Ensure can help combat nutrient deficiencies and unwanted weight loss to support strength, mobility and overall wellbeing in older populations.
10. Allows Customizable Nutrition
Ensure has a variety of products so you can find the right nutritional balance to suit your individual needs:
- Ensure Original – Balanced nutrition with 250 calories and 9 grams of protein per serving
- Ensure Plus – Higher calories (350 per serving) and protein (13 grams) for weight gain
- Ensure High Protein – More protein (20 grams) to help build muscle
- Ensure Max Protein – Significantly more protein (30 grams) for muscle health
- Ensure Compact – Smaller, convenient on-the-go option
- Ensure Clear – Refreshing fruit flavors
- Ensure Enlive – Formulated with omega-3s and vitamin E
- Ensure Plant-Based – Veggie formula made from plant proteins
This wide range means you can truly customize your nutrient intake. You can also modify Ensure further by blending it with fruits, vegetables, yogurt and other healthy add-ins.
Potential Downsides of Ensure
Ensure can provide many benefits, but there are some potential downsides to consider as well:
- High in processed ingredients – Ensure is formulated from ingredients like corn maltodextrin, soy protein isolate and canola oil rather than whole foods.
- Contains dairy/soy – The regular Ensure products contain milk-based ingredients and soy which some people cannot tolerate.
- High in sugar – Most Ensure products contain 18-24 grams of added sugars per serving, which may be too much for some people.
- May cause unwanted weight gain – Ensure can lead to weight gain if consumed in excess without adjusting overall calorie intake.
- Not a whole food – While beneficial in some cases, Ensure should not fully replace a healthy balanced diet based on whole foods.
To minimize risks, speak with your doctor about whether Ensure is appropriate for your individual health status and goals. Monitor your intake to avoid excessive calories, sugar or additives.
Who Should Drink Ensure?
Ensure can benefit a wide variety of people when used properly. It may be recommended for individuals who need extra nutrition due to:
- Appetite loss or eating difficulties
- Underweight issues
- Surgery recovery
- Injury recovery
- Illness or cancer treatment
- Trouble chewing or swallowing
- Nutrient malabsorption
- Increased protein needs
Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new nutritional supplement like Ensure. They can help determine if it’s suitable for your situation.
How to Add Ensure to Your Diet
Here are some simple tips for incorporating Ensure into your routine:
- Choose your preferred formula – Pick the Ensure product that aligns with your nutrition goals like building muscle, gaining weight or filling nutrient gaps.
- Drink between meals – Have a serving of Ensure in between your main meals to boost calories and nutrients without displacing foods.
- Use for snacks – An Ensure shake or bar can work as a convenient, nutritious snack at any time of day.
- Blend with smoothies – For a nutrient and protein boost, blend Ensure into your favorite smoothies or shakes.
- Mix with cereal or oatmeal – For a balanced breakfast, mix some Ensure into hot or cold cereals.
Start with 1-2 servings of Ensure per day. You can adjust the amount as needed depending on your health goals and doctor’s recommendations.
Ensure FAQs
Can you live off Ensure?
No, you cannot live off Ensure alone. Ensure is meant as a nutritional supplement, not a sole source of nutrition. For balanced nutrition, Ensure should always be combined with healthy whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins.
Is Ensure good for diabetics?
Ensure can be a good option for diabetics when used wisely. The carbohydrate blend provides an even release of glucose to help manage blood sugar spikes. Consult your doctor to determine if Ensure fits into your diabetes meal plan. Monitor your blood sugar levels closely when first adding Ensure.
Is Ensure gluten free?
Most Ensure products are labeled gluten free. However, individuals with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity should use caution since Ensure is made on shared equipment that processes gluten. Ensure Clear and Ensure Plant-Based are two gluten-free friendly options.
Can Ensure help you gain weight?
Yes, Ensure can help with healthy weight gain when combined with an overall high-calorie diet. Ensure provides concentrated calories and nutrients to supplement regular meals. The exact amount of weight gain will depend on the specific Ensure product, your diet, activity levels and medical factors.
When should you drink Ensure?
You can drink Ensure at any time of day. Many people enjoy it for breakfast, as an afternoon snack or as a bedtime snack. Ensure works well between meals to provide extra calories and nutrients when you need them.
The Bottom Line
When used properly, Ensure can provide a wide range of benefits. It provides protein for muscles, vitamins and minerals for immunity, antioxidants for health, and calories for energy and weight management.
However, Ensure should not serve as a food replacement. For best results, incorporate 1-2 servings of Ensure into your daily diet of wholesome, balanced meals and snacks. Partner with your healthcare provider to determine if Ensure is a good choice for your individual nutritional needs.