What are the cons of drinking Ensure?

October 16, 2025 •

3 min read

While often marketed for nutritional support, studies show that many Ensure products are classified as ultra-processed foods. For those without specific medical needs, the high sugar content and artificial ingredients can be a significant drawback. Let's delve into what are the cons of drinking Ensure.

Quick Summary

This guide details the drawbacks of consuming Ensure, covering high sugar levels, potential digestive side effects, medication interactions, and its ultra-processed nature compared to whole foods.

Key Points

High Sugar Content: Many Ensure formulations contain a significant amount of added sugar.
Gastrointestinal Distress: Consumers may experience digestive side effects such as bloating, gas, diarrhea, or constipation.
Ultra-Processed Ingredients: Ensure is an ultra-processed food containing refined oils, corn maltodextrin, and artificial additives.
Medication Interference: High Vitamin K content in some versions can counteract the effects of blood-thinning medications like Warfarin.
Allergen Concerns: Ingredients like milk and soy protein can trigger allergic reactions or intolerances.
High Cost: Relying on Ensure is a more expensive option for obtaining nutrients compared to whole-food alternatives for those without a specific medical need.
Not a Whole Food Substitute: While a supplement, Ensure lacks the natural fiber and complex phytonutrients found in a varied diet of fruits, vegetables, and other whole foods.

High Sugar and Added Sweeteners

Many Ensure products contain significant amounts of sugar, which can be a concern for consumers. While some varieties, like Ensure Max Protein, have minimal sugar, others such as Ensure Original and Plus can contain substantial added sugars. For example, some Ensure Original flavors have 10 grams of total sugar, and Ensure Plus can have up to 20 grams. Consuming too much added sugar is linked to increased risk of weight gain, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes. Relying on sugary shakes may also reinforce unhealthy food preferences instead of promoting a diet based on whole foods.

Potential Digestive Problems

Digestive issues are commonly reported by Ensure users, particularly when they first start consuming the product. Symptoms can include gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea.

Several factors can contribute to these problems:

Lactose Intolerance: Many Ensure products contain dairy ingredients like milk protein concentrate and nonfat milk. Since lactose intolerance can become more common with age, this may cause digestive discomfort for some users. Lactose-free options are available.
Artificial Ingredients: Sweeteners and additives such as sucralose and corn maltodextrin may irritate some digestive systems.
High Nutrient Concentration: The concentrated nature of the nutrients might temporarily overwhelm the digestive system as it adjusts.

Medication Interactions and Allergen Risks

Ensure may not be suitable for everyone, and individuals should be mindful of potential interactions with medications and allergens.

Blood Thinners: Certain Ensure products are fortified with a high amount of Vitamin K. Vitamin K is essential for blood clotting and can interfere with the effectiveness of anticoagulant medications like Warfarin, potentially increasing health risks.
Allergies and Sensitivities: Those with allergies to ingredients like milk protein, soy, or corn must carefully check product labels. Ensure does offer alternatives free from dairy or soy, but standard formulas contain these ingredients.

The Problem with Ultra-Processed Food

Ensure is categorized as an ultra-processed food, and diets high in such foods have been associated with negative health outcomes over time. Despite their convenience, these products are developed in labs and cannot fully replicate the benefits of eating whole, unprocessed foods.

Lack of Whole Food Nutrients: Unlike meals made with fresh ingredients, Ensure lacks the natural fiber, phytonutrients, and complex compounds found in real food.
Engineered for Palatability: Ultra-processed foods are designed to be highly appealing, which can lead to overconsumption.
Additives: Besides sugar, these products may contain preservatives, emulsifiers, and artificial flavorings that could have long-term health implications.

Cost and Over-Reliance

Regularly purchasing Ensure can be expensive. More affordable and healthier options exist for individuals without a specific medical need, such as homemade smoothies, which can provide similar or better nutritional value without the added processing and sugar.

Comparison: Ensure vs. Whole-Food Alternative


Feature	Ensure Original Shake	Homemade Smoothie (Example)
Convenience	Ready-to-drink, shelf-stable	Requires preparation, refrigeration
Ingredient Quality	Ultra-processed, relies on refined ingredients	Minimally processed, uses whole ingredients
Sugar Content	10g total sugars (including added sugars)	Can be controlled based on ingredients
Fiber Content	Minimal fiber (1g)	Can be high in fiber
Phytonutrients	Lacks phytonutrients found in whole foods	Rich in a variety of phytonutrients from fruits and vegetables
Digestive Impact	Can cause digestive issues for sensitive individuals	Generally well-tolerated, can be tailored for sensitivities
Cost	Relatively high per serving	More cost-effective per serving in the long run
Nutritional Profile	Standardized, fortified with vitamins/minerals	Variable, dependent on ingredients used

Conclusion: The Place for Ensure in a Diet

Ensure can be a beneficial product for certain individuals with specific medical conditions or those recovering from illness, especially under medical guidance. However, for healthy adults seeking general nutrition or a convenient meal option, the drawbacks such as high sugar content, processed ingredients, and potential digestive side effects are notable. Incorporating a diet rich in whole foods provides a more natural, cost-effective, and nutritionally comprehensive approach. It is always advisable to consult a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet or using supplements to determine the best approach for your personal health needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, if consumed in addition to a regular diet, the extra calories and high sugar content in many Ensure products can lead to weight gain.

Ensure can cause both constipation and diarrhea in some individuals. This may be due to ingredients like milk protein, or the high nutrient concentration.

Yes, Ensure is classified as an ultra-processed food because it is made with industrially refined ingredients like corn maltodextrin and refined oils.

For individuals not requiring specialized medical nutrition, natural alternatives like homemade smoothies are an excellent option made with whole ingredients like fruit, leafy greens, seeds, and yogurt.

Individuals on blood-thinning medications like Warfarin should be cautious due to high Vitamin K levels. Those with allergies to milk, soy, or corn, or sensitive digestive systems, may also need to avoid certain formulations.

Yes, the elderly are often more susceptible to digestive problems like gas, bloating, and diarrhea from milk proteins or artificial ingredients found in Ensure.

For a healthy adult, Ensure is not ideal as a regular meal replacement. It lacks the complex fiber and varied phytonutrients of whole foods, and its processed nature may not be beneficial long-term.