The Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink Formula Explained

Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is a nutritionally complete meal in a bottle. It is high in protein, low in sugar, is a good source of fiber and it contains a balanced macro split of 23:39:35:3 (carbohydrate, fat, protein, fiber) and all 27 essential vitamins and minerals.

Additionally, it contains no animal-derived ingredients and is non-GMO. 

Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink has lower carbs and higher protein compared to both v1.0 and v2.0 Ready-to-drink.

Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink meets the HHS and USDA's Dietary Guidelines and Daily Value (DV) requirements for all macro- and micronutrients^[1] meaning that it provides everything you need from a meal. 

Continue reading to find out more about Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink. 

The Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink Formula Explained

• Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is 23:39:35:3 Macro Split
• Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink has reduced Carbohydrate
• Fat in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink: Flaxseed, Sunflower and Coconut
• Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is High-protein: Peas, Faba, Hemp
• Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is a Source of fiber: Flaxseed and Corn Flour
• Vitamins and Minerals in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink

Nutritional Information and Ingredients of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink

• Ingredients of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink
• Nutritional Profile of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink
• Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink Cautions and Allergen Advice

Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is 23:39:35:3 Macro Split

The principal macronutrients from which we obtain energy from food are carbohydrate, fat, protein and fiber, and in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink their ratio is 23:39:35:3 respectively; i.e. 23% of the total energy comes from carbohydrate, 39% from fat, 35% from protein and 3% from fiber. 

Amino acids are the most basic units of protein, and nine amino acids are essential for life – with others being crucial for optimum health – so any diet has to contain a significant amount of protein. Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is high in protein with 35g per bottle including all essential amino acids present in good amounts (see below).

Fat is more energy-dense than carbohydrate and protein, so the Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink formula includes large amounts of healthy fats in order to achieve less volume and an easy-to-consume Huel meal in a bottle. Moreover, there are some fatty acids that are required for optimal health, and Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is rich in the fats that provide these essential fatty acids.  

Carbohydrates, however, are not essential per se and although carbs do have significant benefits in respect of sustaining energy levels, some people prefer to have a lower intake of carbs for some meals. As such, Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink has lower carbs compared to the v1.0 and v2.0 Ready-to-drink variants.  

Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink has been designed to suit people who are looking for more protein and less carbohydrate in a meal. 

Carbohydrate in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink

The carbohydrate content of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is 32% lower than that of regular v1.0 and v2.0 Ready-to-drink to provide an alternative product for those who desire a different carb intake for a meal (based on Vanilla Black Edition and Vanilla V1.0). The carbs in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink are mainly from tapioca, a starch that comes from the roots of the cassava plant, and helps to provide a smooth, rounded mouthfeel.  Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is naturally sweetened and includes a small amount of organic coconut sugar sugar to deliver a balanced sweetness profile when paired with stevia. The amount of coconut sugar is at a low level and Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is low in sugar. 

Fat in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink: Canola, Flaxseed, Sunflower, and Coconut

The fat in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink provides 39% of the total energy and is made up from cold- pressed canola oil, flaxseed and sunflower lecithin to ensure that the essential polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6, as well as monounsaturated fats are included in optimal amounts. We’ve also included MCTs from coconut for a very good reason: MCTs, or medium-chain triglycerides, are treated much like carbs, i.e. they provide an energy-rich, sustained fuel and are perfect for those of us with busy lifestyles^[2]. But MCTs have another invaluable quality: they are not susceptible to oxidation and rancidity, meaning that they do not contribute to the formation of atherosclerotic plaques which increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. In short, MCTs from coconut are a healthy and efficient source of energy. Read more about MCTs here. 

There are two completely essential fatty acids (EFAs) that humans require: linoleic acid (LA – an omega-6 fatty acid) and alpha-linolenic acid (ALA – an omega-3)^[3]. Using fats from canola, flaxseed and sunflower, we’ve ensured Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink contains sufficient amounts of both of these EFAs as well as other key omega-3 and -6 fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids*. Read more about fats here. 

Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is High-protein: Peas and Rice

The DV for protein is 50g per day, but this only covers our very basic needs at a level that adequately prevents protein deficiency[1]. If you’re an active individual or someone who frequently participates in exercise, most likely this 50g DV for protein will not be sufficient to meet your increased demands for protein. Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is high in protein for those who desire a high intake of protein. All essential amino acids (the building blocks of protein) are included in adequate amounts from vegan protein sources: pea protein, faba and hemp. Each 500ml bottle of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink provides 35g of high-quality protein, a good amount for optimum health as well as building and maintaining a healthy body. Furthermore, protein is more satiating (appetite suppressing) than other macronutrients^[4]. 

Amino acid profile of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink

Protein is made up of amino acids. There are over 500 amino acids in nature, 20 of which are known as the standard amino acids, as these are the ones that are coded for genetically and are subsequently involved in primary protein synthesis in animals. Of these 20, nine are essential as they cannot be synthesised from other amino acids.

The nine essential amino acids are: 

• Histidine 
• Isoleucine 
• Leucine 
• Lysine 
• Methionine 
• Phenylalanine 
• Threonine 
• Tryptophan
• Valine

The other eleven are:

• Alanine
• Arginine
• Asparagine
• Aspartic acid 
• Cysteine
• Glutamine 
• Glutamic acid 
• Glycine 
• Proline 
• Serine 
• Tyrosine 

Essential Amino Acids (EAAs)

All protein sources are not equal: some are classed as ‘complete proteins’ and some are not. A complete protein is one that contains sufficient quantities of all nine EAAs. Generally, proteins derived from animal foods (meats, fish, poultry, milk and eggs) are complete. Indeed, some proteins derived from plant foods (legumes, seeds, grains and vegetables) are often complete as well; examples include quinoa, buckwheat and soya. Many plant foods have insufficient amounts of one or more of the essential amino acids. Some are notably low, such as corn protein, which is low in lysine and isoleucine.

The protein in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink comes from three of the main ingredients : pea protein, hemp and faba. This ensures a good range of all amino acids and that there are sufficient amounts of the EAAs. Hemp protein is high in the sulphur-containing amino acids cysteine and methionine, plus it contains good amounts of all the others but is comparatively low in lysine. The pea and faba proteins are lower in cysteine and methionine but high in lysine. This is why we selected these three sources, ensuring everything was covered while keeping Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink vegan-suitable.

Fiber in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink: Flaxseed and Corn Fiber

Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is a good source of fiber providing 6g of fiber per bottle. The fiber in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is a mixture of soluble and insoluble forms supplied from flaxseed and corn fiber. This fiber profile helps to ensure the formation of normal, solid stools in healthy users.

Fiber acts like a sponge, so it’s important to include lots of fluid in a fiber-rich diet^[5]. As Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is made with water, there’s plenty of fluid supplied, but we do recommend you also include plenty of water in your diet.

Vitamins and minerals

A bulk of the vitamins and minerals – also known as micronutrients – in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink are from natural ingredients. However, in order to meet the demands of a Western lifestyle, we've added a unique vitamin and mineral formula to provide – in some cases – more than 100% of the recommended amounts*.

Since the HHS's Daily Values were first compiled nearly 70 years ago, there have been numerous studies demonstrating that, for many micronutrients, levels higher than the DVs may have beneficial effects on health. For example, it’s widely considered that the amount of vitamin C we’re recommended to consume is too low^{[6, 7, 8]}, so we've reflected this in the Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink formula. Benefits of consuming more vitamin C include a healthy immune system, healthy skin and antioxidant properties^{[9, 10, 11]} .

Choline is a conditionally essential B vitamin, and although, strictly speaking, it can be synthesised in our bodies, it’s more efficient to obtain it from our diets^[12]. It’s of particular importance for post-menopausal women^{[13, 14]}]. As Huel is all about optimum health, the inclusion of choline was felt to be fundamental.

Another example is vitamin D: the DV is 20mcg^[1]. In the UK, the RDA was previously listed as just 5mcg per day^{[15, 16]}, but in 2016 this was revised to 10mcg per day^[17], so the amount of vitamin D in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink more than reflects this higher requirement*.

Phytic acid is a naturally-occurring substance found in some plant foods including flaxseed. Although phytic acid is considered a beneficial phytonutrient, phytic acid can chelate (bind) some minerals meaning that they’re less bioavailable^[18]. As flaxseed is a fundamental ingredient in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink, we've ensured the levels of some minerals, like iron and zinc, are higher, to accommodate any issues with phytic acid chelation. Furthermore, the high level of vitamin C in Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink will also further promote iron absorption^[19].

Green Tea Extract 

Green tea extract is a concentrated form of green tea, one of the most commonly consumed teas in the world. Green tea extract is a natural supplement that has been shown to offer numerous physiological benefits. The primary active component in green tea extract is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which is a polyphenolic compound with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties^{[20, 21]}. Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink provides 150mg green tea extract per bottle. 

Summary - Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is a meal

Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is a nutritious meal to be enjoyed at any time, or as an add-on improvement to your diet to ensure you’re giving your body what it needs.

*based on a 2,000kcal intake of Huel products.

Ingredients of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink

Vanilla
Ingredients: Water, Pea Protein, Faba Bean Protein, Tapioca Starch, Cold- Pressed Canola Oil, Coconut Milk Powder, Ground Flaxseed, Coconut Sugar, Corn Fiber, Micronutrient Blend*, Natural Flavors, Flaxseed Oil Powder, Hemp Seed Protein, Medium-Chain Triglyceride Powder (from Coconut), Sunflower Lecithin, Green Tea Extract, Steviol Glycosides, Gellan Gum.

*Micronutrient Blend: Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Corn Starch, L-Ascorbic Acid, Magnesium Phosphate, Magnesium Citrate, Choline Hydrogen Tartrate, Menaquinone-7, D-alpha Tocopherol Acetate, Retinol Acetate, Nicotinamide, Ergocalciferol, Cyanocobalamin, Calcium D-Pantothenate, D-Biotin, Copper Gluconate, Zinc Oxide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Potassium Iodide, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, L-Methylfolate Calcium, Chromium Picolinate.

May contain mustard

Chocolate
Ingredients: Water, Pea Protein, Faba Bean Protein, Tapioca Starch, Cold- Pressed Canola Oil, Coconut Milk Powder, Cocoa Powder, Ground Flaxseed, Natural Flavors, Coconut Sugar, Micronutrient Blend*, Flaxseed Oil Powder, Corn Fiber, Hemp Protein, Medium-Chain Triglyceride Powder (from Coconut), Sunflower Lecithin, Sea Salt, Green Tea Extract, Steviol Glycosides, Gellan Gum.

*Micronutrient Blend: Potassium Citrate, Potassium Chloride, Calcium Carbonate, Corn Starch, L-Ascorbic Acid, Magnesium Phosphate, Magnesium Citrate, Choline Hydrogen Tartrate, Menaquinone-7, D-alpha Tocopherol Acetate, Retinol Acetate, Nicotinamide, Ergocalciferol, Cyanocobalamin, Calcium D-Pantothenate, D-Biotin, Copper Gluconate, Zinc Oxide, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Potassium Iodide, Riboflavin, Thiamine Mononitrate, Calcium L-Methylfolate, Chromium Picolinate.

May contain mustard

Nutritional Profile of Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink 

Vanilla 

Each box contains 12 x 500ml bottles

Vitamins & Minerals

Additional Information

Chocolate 

Each box contains 12 x 500ml bottles

Vitamins & Minerals

Additional Information

Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink Cautions and Allergen Advice

Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is food; therefore it is suitable for people with most conditions. However, as some conditions require dietary intervention, like with any food, please heed the notes below for the following conditions:

• Diabetes mellitus – Huel is suitable for type 1 and type 2 diabetics. As with all food, if you're using medication to help control your diabetes you should structure your intake of Huel appropriately.
• Celiac disease and dermatitis herpetiformis - Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is gluten-free and is made with no gluten-containing ingredients. 
• Inborn errors of metabolism – if you have a glycogen storage disorder (GSD) or other inborn error of metabolism where you require dietary manipulation, you must consult your doctor or specialist clinician before using Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink. Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is not suitable for those who suffer with phenylketonuria (PKU).
• Inflammatory bowel disease –  if you have Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or proctitis and are experiencing a flare-up, we advise caution when using Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink. However, if you’re in remission, Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink may be enjoyed freely.
• Pregnancy and lactation – All Huel products are fine to have during pregnancy, but should be limited to one serving per day as there are different nutritional requirements during this period.
• Children – Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is not suitable for children under 4 years of age. However, older children may include Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink as part of a balanced diet that includes a variety of other foods, but Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink should not be their sole source of nutrition as children have different nutritional requirements to adults. 
• Eating disorders – Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink may be consumed by individuals with anorexia or bulimia nervosa as a useful source of complete nutrition. However, we recommend that individuals with eating disorders only use Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink after discussing it with their doctor or relevant clinician.

Medication interactions

Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink is fine to consume if you’re using most medication. Although there are no obvious reasons why Huel Black Edition Ready-to-drink should be an issue, there may be specific drug-nutrient interactions relating to a particular medicine you're using, so we recommend you read the drug information provided with your prescription, and if you have any further concerns please discuss them with your doctor. 

Allergen advice

All Huel products are 100% vegan. We thoroughly assess our ingredients and the processes we use to make Huel and whenever we identify potential routes of allergen contamination we will first take steps to eliminate the possibility of any contamination of our product. However, where it is not possible to remove the risk we will clearly highlight any allergens that might be present on our product packaging in line with current US food safety guidelines. 

However, we recognise that individuals can have allergens to any protein in any ingredient therefore if you have a specific allergy that is outside of the remit above, please contact us directly and we will do our best to guide you on which products are suitable. 

Further reading

• The Beginner's Guide to Nutrition
• Guide to Protein, Digestion and Absorption
• About Huel 

References

1. FDA. CFR - Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 2016 [Available from: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/cfrsearch.cfm?fr=101.9

2. Marten B, et al. Medium-chain triglycerides. International Dairy Journal. 2006; 16(11):1374-82.
3. Linus Pauling Institute. Essential Fatty Acids. Date Accessed: 09/04/19. [Available from: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/other-nutrients/essential-fatty-acids 
4. Weigle DS, et al. A high-protein diet induces sustained reductions in appetite, ad libitum caloric intake, and body weight despite compensatory changes in diurnal plasma leptin and ghrelin concentrations. Am J Clin Nutr. 2005; 82(1):41-8.
5. Gallaher D. Dietary Fiber. Washington D.C.: ILSI Press; 2006. p. 102-10.
6. Deruelle F & Baron B. Vitamin C: is supplementation necessary for optimal health? J Altern Complement Med. 2008; 14(10):1291-8.
7. Combs GF Jr & mcClung JP. The Vitamins. 4 ed: Burlington: Elsevier Science; 2012.
8. Carr AC & Frei B. Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999; 69(6):1086-107.
9. Combs GF Jr & mcClung JP. The Vitamins. 4 ed: Burlington: Elsevier Science; 2012.
10. Carr AC & Frei B. Toward a new recommended dietary allowance for vitamin C based on antioxidant and health effects in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999; 69(6):1086-107.
11. Linus Pauling Institute. Vitamin C Date Accessed: 09/04/19. [Available from: https://lpi.oregonstate.edu/mic/vitamins/vitamin-C 
12. Zeisel SH & Da Costa KA. Choline: an essential nutrient for public health. Nutr Rev. 2009; 67(11):615-23. 
13. Fischer LM, et al. Dietary choline requirements of women: effects of estrogen and genetic variation. Am J Clin Nutr. 2010; 92(5):1113-9. 
14. Fischer LM, et al. Sex and menopausal status influence human dietary requirements for the nutrient choline. Am J Clin Nutr. 2007; 85(5):1275-85.
15. Food Drink Europe. Guidance on the Provision of Food Information to Consumers Regulation (EU) No. 1169/2011.2013 [Available from: https://www.fooddrinkeurope.eu/uploads/publications_documents/FDE_Guidance_WEB.pdf 
16. COMA. Dietary reference values for food energy and nutrients for the United Kingdom. Report of the Panel on Dietary Reference Values of the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food Policy. Rep Health Soc Subj (Lond). 1991; 41:1-210.
17. SACN. Vitamin D and Health. 2016.
18. Committee on Food Protection; Food and Nutrition Board; National Research Council. "Phytates". Toxicants Occurring Naturally in Foods. 1973.
19. Lopez HL, F, et al. Minerals and phytic acid interactions: is it a real problem for human nutrition? International Journal of Food Science & Technology. 202; 37(7):727-39.