Research-Based

Vital Reds Vs. Revive Reds – Which Polyphenol Powder Is Best?

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By Thomas Youngerman

Reviewed by Juliana Tamayo, MS, RDN - Last Updated

vital reds vs. revive reds

Head-to-head product comparisons can be tricky. Objectivity and impartiality, providing the reader with fact-based observations, and reaching well-researched conclusions and positions are hallmarks of an honest and unbiased report.

Our comparison of Revive Reds and Vital Reds is complicated because the two parent companies, Kara MD and Gundry MD, respectively, have so many similarities in their corporate philosophies and go-to-market strategies. The founders and faces of the company, Dr. Mahmud Kara and Dr. Steven Gundry, are both respected physicians with impressive Curriculum Vitae, and both focus on digestive health. Both doctors preach a lectin-free diet. Their companies’ leading items are related to gut health and maintaining a healthy microbiome, Kara MD’s GutBio Max and Lectin Guard versus Gundry’s Bio-Complete 3 and Lectin Shield. Additional offerings in the companies’ product lines address immunity support, heart health, weight management, energy, and mental clarity. 

revive reds vs. vital reds red powder

Of paramount importance to both doctors is combatting free radical damage and controlling chronic inflammation. Oxidative stress, a primary contributor to inflammation, is a precursor to some of the most catastrophic illnesses associated with aging. In its review of clinical trials related to these conditions, “Oxidative Stress, Aging, and Diseases,” the NCBI (National Center for Biotechnical Information) states that “oxidative stress is involved in several age-related conditions (i.e., cardiovascular diseases, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic kidney disease, neurodegenerative diseases, and cancer), including sarcopenia, and frailty.”

Comprise a list of illnesses and age-related conditions that concern most individuals, and it will include loss of muscle and bone mass, mental decline, heart disease, and cancer – all related to oxidation and inflammation. No wonder the two good doctors place such importance on their polyphenol products, Revive Reds and Vital Reds. 

This article briefly introduces polyphenols and explains the role of the probiotic blend in each product. Then, we compare the two products in detail, including their formulations, price value relationships, and ease of accessibility, and provide our observations/recommendations. We also highlight some of the best-in-class corporate philosophies, sales, marketing, and manufacturing processes adhered to by each company.  

So, who comes out as the winning Polyphenol when it comes to Vital Reds vs. Revive Reds? Let’s find out! 

Why Polyphenols are Essential

Polyphenols are essential in plants and have significant health benefits for humans. These naturally occurring compounds in the skin, seeds, and leaves protect plants against pathogens and the ultraviolet radiation from the sun, in addition to contributing to their color, flavor, and odor. In humans, polyphenols are powerful antioxidants with anti-inflammatory properties.

Polyphenols are primarily found in fruits and dark leafy vegetables. Berries, grapes, cherries, and apples are potent sources with up to 200–300 mg of polyphenols per 100 grams of fresh weight. Other sources include dark chocolate, coffee, black and green tea, nuts, seeds, herbs, and spices. To date, some 8,000 types of polyphenols have been identified. One rule of thumb, the more colorful the plant, the higher the polyphenol concentration 

In addition to their antioxidant properties, polyphenols help reduce chronic inflammation and play a role in digestive health. As a result, a diet rich in polyphenols or supplementing with polyphenols may infer other benefits as supported by clinical studies, such as increased energy, reduced risk of Type 2 Diabetes, cardiovascular health, and protection against certain cancers. Clinical studies even support fruit-derived polyphenols as supporting exercise performance.

Polyphenol Supplements

As the name implies, these dietary supplements contain a blend of fruit and vegetable extracts and powders high in polyphenol content. Both Revive Reds and Vital Reds feature a Polyphenol Blend as the dominant component in their formulas. In their Reds’ formulas, both brands contain fruits predominately, and each offers a greens alternative, Pure Nature from Kara MD and Primal Plants from Gundry focusing on vegetables. Although both brands are in powdered form, other polyphenol supplements may be in tablets, capsules, ready-to-drink, or as a gummy. Most polyphenol products also contain additional components, such as a digestive blend featuring pre-and probiotics, a metabolic blend, enzymes, or other ingredients.  

revive reds vs vital reds fruits and vegetables

Federal guidelines establish the RDA (recommended daily allowance) for fruits and vegetables at five servings per day – (2 – 3 cups of veggies and 1½ – 2 cups of fruits). Unfortunately, most people following the typical Western diet fail to achieve the RDA, which has led to a significant polyphenol supplement business estimated at $1.6 billion annually.

Before comparing the formulations for our two subject products, let’s review the two companies’ corporate philosophies and go-to-market strategies. 

Vital Reds vs. Revive Reds: Corporate Philosophies

  Kara MD Gundry MD
Physician-formulated products
Manufactured in the U.S.
FDA Registered facility
GMP Compliant facility
Third-Party Tested
Money-Back Guarantee

Kara and Gundry have sophisticated online presences, where the majority of their products are sold. Revive Reds and Vital Reds are both available on Amazon.com; however, only Revive Reds seems accessible through other online retailers. Neither product has distribution in brick-and-mortar stores. 

Although both companies extoll the quality of their ingredients, Gundry MD will often use patented, trademarked ingredients with clinical trials to support their efficacy. None of the high-quality, reliably sourced ingredients in Kara MD products seem to be patented; however, their Probiotic Support Blend is organic. Neither Vital Reds nor Revive Reds feature patented ingredients. 

Typically, proprietary blends are frowned upon in our product reviews as they make it nearly impossible to determine the precise dosage of each compound. However, both products in our comparison use proprietary blends, perhaps due to the significant number of ingredients, 34 compounds in the Gundry Polyphenol Blend and 15 in the Kara blend. 

Vital Reds vs. Revive Reds: The Formulations

Once again, distinguishing between the two subject products is somewhat difficult (beyond the absolute number of ingredients) as both contain the same three proprietary blends; Polyphenol, Digestive Support, and Metabolic Support.  

Vital Reds 

Gundry MD Vital Reds

Although Vital Reds has the edge in terms of the number and variety of polyphenol ingredients, the blend is 1,760 mg versus 2.67 grams in Revive Reds, about 30% fewer polyphenols. The Vital Reds Metabolic Blend is 365 grams, comprised of cinnamon bark, green tea, white tea, ginger root, turmeric, bitter melon fruit, and black pepper for absorption. Versus the 175 mg Metabolic Blend in Revive Reds, which also incorporates turmeric, the Gundry product appears superior for added polyphenols, absorption, and fat-burning properties. Vital Reds also includes Chromium Polynicotinate 200 mcg to enhance weight management. The Gundry Digestive Blend contains 3 billion CFUs of probiotics, plus a 250 mg dose of Fructo-oligosaccharides, a prebiotic to support the probiotics.  

Revive Reds  

KaraMD-Revive-Reds

Although Revive Reds has more polyphenols in its proprietary blend, the total dosage difference between the two brands is minimal – Kara MD has four grams per serving, and Gundry has 3.765 grams. The Revive Reds Probiotic Digestive Support Blend has three organic components, Inulin from Blue Agave, Banana, and Cinnamon powders. Each component supports intestinal microbial flora and probiotics; however, the blend does not include actual probiotics, as does Vital Reds with its four strains and 3 billion CFUs (Colony Forming Units). As indicated above, Vital Reds also has a separate prebiotic compound in its formula. 

Non-GMO, vegan-friendly, Revive Reds includes maltodextrin in the Other Ingredients, off-putting for some consumers, versus natural flavors in Vital Reds – Rebaudioside A from Stevia. 

One additional note when comparing the two Supplement Facts panels. Although Gundry lists ten separate vitamins and minerals versus none on the Kara panel, these nutrients are most likely the result of the various fruits in the polyphenol blend. 

Vital Reds vs. Revive Reds: Benefits of Each Brand

Vital Reds is positioned to boost energy, improve digestion, support skin health, and aid in weight management. Likewise, Revive Reds promises to increase energy, enhance digestion, and improve cognitive health, disease protection, and cardiovascular wellness. Given the healthy dosages of polyphenols in these products, we assume both provide the purported antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.  

KaraMD-Revive-Reds-Drink

We prefer including actual probiotic strains and a prebiotic in Vital Reds for digestive health. Although not a major health claim on the Vital Reds site, the ingredients in the Metabolic Blend, green and white tea extracts, bitter melon, and the chromium polynicotinate may promote superior weight management.

Vital Reds vs. Revive Reds: Price Comparison

Although the corporate websites and YouTube videos featuring Dr. Kara and Dr. Gundry are the primary means to communicate and sell Revive and Vital Reds, both items are available on Amazon.com. A thirty-serve, four-ounce container of Vital Reds retails for $59.95, and a similar-sized, thirty-serve, 4.23-ounce jar of Revive Reds sells for $34.95. We use Amazon pricing for the cost per serving and per ounce analysis below.

vital reds price

On the Gundry corporate website, the price is $69.95 for a single purchase. In addition, quantity discounts and special pricing for membership in Gundry MD are available.

Once again, Kara MD matches the Gundry marketing by offering quantity discounts.

karamd revive reds

The price on Kara MD does not reflect the same premium as Gundry MD when purchased on the corporate site; the single purchase price is $34.95 – the same as Amazon.com. It should be noted that Gundry’s money-back guarantee only applies to products purchased on their website, whereas Revive Reds is backed by a money-back guarantee on Amazon. 

Cost Per Serving / Per Gram Comparison

Product

Cost Size Cost/Serving Cost/Gram
Vital Reds $59.95 30-Serve/3.765 Grams $2.00 $.53
Revive Reds $34.95 30-Serve/4 Grams $1.165 $.29

Vital Reds vs. Revive Reds: How They Compare

As mentioned in our opening, there are more similarities than differences between the two companies and their offerings. As indicated in the table above, both companies adhere to industry-best philosophies and corporate strategies. Both products proudly state they are physician-formulated, using quality, sustainable ingredients. 

From a product efficacy point of view, both products have significant dosages of polyphenols and Metabolic and Digestive Blends. We prefer the Gundry Digestive Support approach with its probiotic and prebiotic ingredients. Gundry may also have the edge regarding weight management due to its Metabolic blend and Chromium Picolinate. 

Vital Reds Bottle And Drink

The single most significant difference between brands is in the price-value relationship, with Revive having a clear advantage. The availability of the money-back guarantee for Revive Reds when purchased on Amazon.com is another positive.  

Vital Reds vs. Revive Reds: Customer Reviews

Although there are no reviews on their website, Kara MD does have several unsolicited customer YouTube testimonials. Conversely, the GundryMD site features numerous reviews related to energy and digestion, great taste, appetite control, weight loss, and recovery from exercise. 

On Amazon.com, Vital Reds receives 70% five-star reviews. Most consumers are positive about the effectiveness and taste of the product, still consider it very expensive, yet appreciate the savings on Amazon versus GundryMD.com. 

vital reds amazon customer reviews

Revive Reds receives only 54% five-star reviews on Amazon, with its best marks for value, convenience, and taste. Ironically, many Amazon reviewers talk about Vital Reds during their Revive Reds product reviews. The reviews are about 50% in favor of Revive Reds vs. Vital Reds; however, remember these are the Revive Reds reviewers.

revive reds amazon customer review

Vital Reds vs. Revive Reds: Other Considerations

Although a challenging set of products to compare and contrast, we hope we have helped you recognize the similarities and points of difference between Revive Reds and Vital Reds. 

  • For many, the deciding factor will be the cost value advantage Revive Reds represents, especially those on a budget.
  • With its green and white tea, bitter melon, and Chromium Picolinate compounds, Vital Reds is the preferred brand for weight management. 
  • Although both products support digestive health, we prefer the Digestive Blend with colony-forming probiotics and a prebiotic component in Vital Reds. 
  • If this is your first purchase in the polyphenol space, and you prefer the convenience of ordering on Amazon, we suggest Revive Reds to access the potential money-back guarantee. 
  • For those opposed to maltodextrin, you may prefer the more natural flavoring system in Vital Reds. 
  • Revive Reds is also non-GMO and Vegan Friendly 

Vital Reds vs. Revive Reds: Our Final Opinion

Kara MD almost appears to be a clone of Gundry MD or vice versa; however, Gundry is the older, more established company with significantly greater sales. From corporate philosophies to marketing strategies, sophisticated websites supported by YouTube videos, and even product names and the blends within formulations. These are very similar companies and products. This is a classic example of price-based competition – products that are very similar in features, benefits, and capabilities, differentiated primarily by a lower cost.

If you’re still looking to learn a bit more about each option, fret not. You can check out our full review of Gundry MD Vital Reds here and our full review of KaraMD Revive Reds here.  

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Thomas Youngerman

Thomas Youngerman is an entrepreneur and author in the health and wellness space with extensive experience in the supplement industry. He has owned multiple sports nutrition stores and served as the Category Manager and Director of Business Development for a regional chain of nutrition stores. Thomas created a successful line of men’s healthy aging supplements that was distributed in GNC, The Vitamin Shoppe, and Kroger, and later sold to a West Coast corporation. Thomas was previously a certified nutrition coach. He has a strong understanding of nutrition, supplement formulations, DSHEA, cGMP, and FDA regulations.