The Verdict On: Delite Ampalaya Plus Herbal Tea

Growing up, fruits and vegetables were a staple in our meals. We've always loved it except for the dreaded Ampalaya. My mom who has diabetes, would insist that we eat it once in a while because it's good for lowering blood sugar. As a kid, I've always hoped there was a better way to consume it without the bitter taste. A few months back, I was so happy to discover the Ampalaya Plus line of products and shared it with my Mom. 


Recently, I gave my sister Nicole a box of Delite Ampalaya Plus Herbal Tea (from the same makers of Ampalaya Plus Capsules ) to test out and asked her to monitor her blood sugar. 

This is Nicole, she's a real person, and she wrote this review hehe

She doesn't have diabetes or is pre-diabetic, but we are very conscious about monitoring our blood sugar because diabetes runs in the family. Here is Nicole's verdict, as written by her: 
 

The Product: Delite Herbal Tea Ampalaya Plus 
 

Product Information: Contains...

- Momordica charantia (Ampalaya) leaves and fruits


- Citrus microcarpa (Kalamansi) juice


- Camellia sinensis (Green Tea) 


- Curcuma Longa (Luyang Dilaw) rhizomes


- Lagertroemia speciosa (Banaba) leaves 

The Promise: 
 The product doesn't have any therapeutic claims. Common knowledge suggests that herbal teas have a multitude of health benefits. Collectively, Ampalaya, Turmeric, and Banaba are best known for being an antioxidant that lowers blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and reduces swelling and pain in the body. It is FDA registered as a Herbal Tea under the Food Category. FDA's position on Herbal Tea is that it is not recommended for pregnant women. 
 

Put to the Test: 
 For this particular test, we just wanted to know if it can lower blood sugar or if the health benefits being experienced or reported are just really placebo. For 1 week, I drank Delite tea with breakfast. Due to limited lancet needles and strips available, (and mostly because I refuse to prick my finger everyday) I only took my blood test twice which was on the initial and last day of the one week test. 

On day 1, I took an initial blood test 2 hours after having breakfast without Delite. On day 7 I took a final blood test 2 hours after having breakfast with Delite for 6 days straight. 
 

Day 1 - Peanut Butter and Raspberry Jelly sandwich without Delite 

Day 2 - Just Delite 

Day 3 - Chocolate bread slice with Delite 

Day 4 - Cucumber shake and Dragonfruit with Delite 

Day 5 - Estrelles caramel cake with Delite 

Day 6 - Rice with daing, seaweed, salted egg end tomatoes with Delite
Day 7 - Dragonfruit with Yakult and 2 cups of Delite (I took two cups because I ate 4 donuts yesterday and pasta) 
 

Passing the Verdict: 
 

Day 1: 104

Day 7: 69 


Quite shocked at the Day 7 level. One sachet is enough. 

I would still have preferred eating the real thing, which is fresh Ampalaya, Banaba, or Luya boiled in water, but this alternative has my seal of approval.
 

Limitations of the experiment: Variables such as diet and exercise varied daily. 

Practical Tip: The taste is slightly bitter but quite delicious. Enhance the Kalamansi flavor, by squeezing one real Kalamansi into your hot or cold tea. Next to water, Delite has zero calories and has no sugar added, no artificial color or flavor, and may be taken hot or cold. It is probably one of the healthiest health drinks available in the market. 

Disclaimer: It is important to note that Delite tea should not be considered a stand alone treatment for any ailments. A balanced meal rich in fiber and low in fat, coupled with exercise is still the best way to prevent Diabetes. 
 

Price: Php20 x 1 sachet, Net Weight/sachet:25g 
 

Point of Sale: Available at Mercury, Watsons, TGP, South Star, Rose Pharmacy and all leading drugstores nationwide. Available online via Lazada and for those abroad, through the Ampalaya Plus website.

Promotion: Special Lazada offer buy any of our product and get 1 free Delite Herbal Tea. (Good while offer lasts) 

-Buy 1 box of Ampalaya Plus and get 1 box free of Delite Herbal Tea. 

-Buy 1 box of Renalin get 1 box free of Delite Herbal Tea. 

-Buy 1 box of Slenda get 1 box free of Delite Herbal Tea. 

-Buy 3 boxes of Enduranz get 1 box free of Delite Herbal Tea. 

-Buy 3 boxes of Delite Herbal Tea get 1 box free of Delite Herbal Tea.

MFO's Verdict On: Palmer's Post Natal Firming Lotion

The Product: Palmer's Cocoa Buter Formula Post Natal Firming Lotion

The Promise: This unique formula is specifically designed to restore your body to its natural, original firmness, anytime, even after pregnancy or weight loss. The unique combination of Cocoa Butter, Collagen, Elastin and Shea Butter firms and tones while improving skin elasticity and texture. In addition, Ginseng and Vitamin E help nourish and rejuvenate tired skin. Co Enzyme Q10 is an antioxidant that stimulates sin cells to tone and smooth the skin.

Put to the Test: Meant to be "massaged all over the body twice daily - especially on thighs, legs, stomach and bust" I did as recommended. I especially made sure to focus on my belly, because the skin was wrinkly and so loose, over a month after giving birth. I could grab onto the skin and it would wave and say hello back to me.

Back when I had Berry, my skin was still elastic, so it simply just went back to how it was before I got pregnant. With Xavi, whoever said age ain't nothing but a number, must have been in denial. Because my age was definitely taunting me right on the face, specifically my belly!

Passing the Verdict: In less than two weeks, belly skin tightened considerably to a point that the wrinkles disappeared! I was amazed! While I would not call it taut, it was acceptable. I had to accept the fact that at 35, only exercise would flatten my belly. Fair enough. The flappy, wrinkly look was gone thanks to Palmer's and now it was all up to me to finish the job. I continued using Palmer's Post Natal Firming Lotion until it ran out, and by the time it did, I was pretty happy with the results. I'd call it a wonder product.

Practical Tip: Clinically proven to help increase skin’s firmness in 6 weeks. Patience is a virtue. I also recommend for this to be used immediately after giving birth, for better results. Don't forget that this works for tightening skin after weight loss too.

Price: Php495 for a 250 ml bottle

Point of Sale: Rustan's Department Stores

MFO's Verdict On: Clarins Double Serum

Since I promised to write reviews about the products I do and will swear by, and to make my reviews more comprehensive, thorough and organized, I will be following this framework from now on. Hope you enjoy this new "feature" of the blog - MFO's Verdict On: _____ !

The Product: Clarins Double Serum Complete Age Control Concentrate

The Promise: The one and only anti-aging treatment that reactivates the five vital functions on which skin's youth and beauty depend - hydration, nutrition, oxygenation, protection, regeneration.  Combining the 20 most powerful anti-aging plant extracts, it is the best of nature and science in one product and the culmination of 27 years of anti-aging expertise.

Visible results include noticeably fewer wrinkles, skin that is firmer, more even, more resilient, with renewed radiance and less visible pores.

Put to the Test: To be honest I have only ever started going to Clarins when I got pregnant with Xavi and I would visit the Clarins Spa for my twice a month pre-natal massage sessions. When I was in my 20s, I had always associated the brand with mommy skincare, because my friend Isabelle would stop by the Clarins counter in Lane Crawford to buy products for her mom whenever she was in HK. But well, now that I am a mom, should be right up my alley then.

I have been using Clarins Double Serum for about a month now, day and night. I just follow the instructions on the bottle, pump the serum onto my hand, mix a bit and apply onto face. It starts off a bit oily, but glides nicely onto skin and doesn't feel icky-greasy. I just let it dry on my face naturally.

Btw, you will notice that when you pump out the serum, it sort of looks like you just cracked an egg, with a dark "yolk" in the center. This is because Double Serum's two formulas are never in contact. Each vial has a separate pump dispenser - to preserve the power of the water and oil-soluble ingredients and ensure the two formulas only come together upon application and in the ideally balanced ratio.

Passing the Verdict: I can tell you, there really is a huge difference in my skin. The first thing I noticed about my skin was the radiance. Seriously, it looks luminous. I don't even wear makeup anymore. It is in fact possible that I could be mistaken for a shining, shimmering Cullen. If they ever included a 30 something Asian woman into their coven. Although I am often mistaken to be in my 20s heehee. Oh diba, never aging. Vampire-riffic!

As for the crows feet slowly creeping around my eyes when I smile? Well visibly lessened in about two weeks. I now supplement with Clarins eye cream, for extra "fight the wrinkles" power.

Pores have been under control, ever since I started doing my French "No Water" skincare routine. With this serum, they haven't exactly disappeared, but they have shrunk to a size I am not bothered about. But not yet to a poreless finish. I guess I am not a Cullen with skin as smooth as marble after all. 

Here's an unfiltered, un-Photoshopped photo of my skin sans make-up, taken with my iPhone. I still do have a bit of brown spots on my cheek area, but hopefully as I use the serum longer, they'll fade into oblivion.

Yes no make-up. I don't know if its my skincare routine coupled with the serum, but my cheeks are naturally flushed, aka as rosy cheeks hahaha.

Overall, skin feels nice and tight, and like I said, I am still mistaken to be much younger than I am, so it is safe to say, the anti-aging claim really works!

Practical Tip: Touted to be the complete age-control concentrate, it is recommended for women age 25 and older. A lady is never too young to start a skincare routine in my opinion. I wish I knew about this serum when I was 25. 

Price: Php4,750 

Point of Sale: Clarins Double Serum is exclusively available at all Rustan's Department Stores: Ayala Center Makati, Shangri-la Plaza Mall, Alabang Town Center, Essenses Rockwell, Ayala Center Cebu and Gateway Mall