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Mona Vie Scam? The Magical Acai Berry Juice Product
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Mona Vie. One of my friend’s wife was targeted to join Mona Vie. I’ve seen a lot of references to both Mona Vie and one of the components in its mixture, açaí, but never really looked into it. I knew that it smelled fishy, in part because its a classic multi-level marketing program, and that alone gives me reason to pause. However, I wanted to take an objective look at it, since there are a lot of MLMs out there and they can’t all be bad right?
Multi-Level Marketing / Pyramid Schemes
Only two words are needed to describe Mona Vie, the brand name of the juice: pyramid scheme. Mona Vie is a “standard multi-level marketing program,” commonly referred to as a pyramid scheme, that relies on people marketing their products. Every time you make a sale, you earn a commission. The people who recruited you, and the people who recruited that person (your “upline”) into the program will also earn a commission. If you recruit someone into the program (your “downline”), you will earn a commission on their sales. The classic pyramid scheme.
There’s is nothing inherently illegal or disreputable about multi-level marketing programs. They aren’t illegal in the sense that Ponzi Schemes are illegal , it’s just that most implementations of MLM programs only really benefit the people at the top of the pyramid. This is because many of these programs have quotas that members need to sell and, when they can’t, members often find themselves buying the products themselves just to meet quota. Anyway, enough with the generalities, what’s specifically scammy about Mona Vie?
Mona Vie Scam?
What’s this Açaí berry juice product? It’s supposed to jump all over the antioxidant health craze people have been clamoring all over and Açaí berries are a very good source of antioxidants (most dark colored berries are, like blackberries, raspberries, etc.); that part is legitimate. The drink itself is 19 juices blended together.
There are two parts of Mona Vie that are suspect. First, many agree that antioxidants are beneficial for you but Mona Vie makes some big promises such as improving cardiovascular health, improving joint function, etc. It claims that it can cure many ailments because it contains components that have been shown to address some of them. Nothing they say is a flat-out lie but it’s like saying you can do laps in a kiddie pool. Possible? Yes. Probable? Not really.
The second part that’s suspect is the fact that the stuff is $30-$40 a ~26 oz. bottle and proponents say you have to drink 2 oz. in the morning and 1 oz. in the evening. Simple math shows that each month you’ll have to spend $120-$170 on the juice, or $1,500-$2,000 a year. If you want the benefits of these types of juices, you can get it for much much less. Oh, and any distributor has to buy 4 bottles a month. Sure you can sell them, but what if you don’t? You’re always on the hook.
Other red flags? Their CEO and founder, Dallin Larsen, is a 20 year veteran of the MLM industry and the FDA recently shut down a similar juice product operation, Dynamic Essentials distributed Royal Tongan Limu juice, for illegal business practices. Hmmm…
Finally, check out the MonaVie compensation plan, courtesy of The Fraud Files blog. There are all sorts of crazy exceptions and rules. For example, you have two legs on your “downline,” but are only paid on commissions based on the shorter of the two. It gets really complicated, really quickly, and that certainly doesn’t bode well for people who sell the stuff.
The bottom line is that you’re overpaying for a product and, if you’re a distributor, you have to buy 4 bottles a month. Do you think it’s a scam? (this site, Purple Horror, documents a lot of Mona Vie’s shenanigans)
(Photo: wmode)
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 By Jim |
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One word for the monovie pyramid slaves. Suckers. There is one born every minute. Its overpriced fruit punch with a hint of an exotic berry. Eating fresh dark berries will yield better results. And for the ‘so-called’ doctors pushing it- please, either fake, or real doctors making a windfall. This is America though and people are free to hock their wares, or spend their money on any thing they want.
The federal trade commission says MonaVie is not a pyramid scheme, and the word slaves is offensive to all, And calling people that you do not even know suckers is slanderous and foolish. Quality costs more, and a hint of acai, it is the main ingredient, there is no fresh berry on the market like acai, no berry on earth comes even close to being a whole food, which acai is, and is proven to have every necessary nutrient the human body needs to live in perfect health, and a real doctor created MonaVie, and yes this is America and we are free to buy and sell what is good and what is right.
There are definitely some MLM’s out there that could be considered “pyramid schemes” as recruitment fees are used as bonuses for the sponsors but there are several that charge nominal fees…think about the administration time of first setting someone up (creating an account, invoicing, initial materials, documents, etc.). One time or even recurring membership fees are normal. Doesn’t Costco do this?
Regarding the “over-pricing” of the product, why is anything priced the way it is? Why does a pair of Nike running shoes made in China over a hundred bucks? Why is a latte at Starbuck $5 when the cost of ingredients is less than a dollar? Funny how no one makes a stink about the 90% margin on coffee which most people drink every day but criticize a health beverage that has an ORAC value of over 1,000/gram. Do you know what type of quality control goes into a particular product? Do you know how much large corporations spend on marketing or sponsoring pitchmen like Tiger Woods? Do most businesses not exist to make money? Take this blog for example…see the advertising on it? Mr. Jim makes money. How hypocritical of the writer to point fingers at another party’s right to run a profitable business on their own terms. MLM’s just re-allocate the gross profit to pay their “direct marketers”. Heck, I would give someone a cut of a sale for referring a customer or other people that refer customers…business would be so efficient.
I do believe that the mind is a powerful thing and I’m sure there is some placebo effect that drinkers of Mona Vie experience but what do you care if actually does help some people? Individuals can decide for themselves if it helps them or not. If you haven’t actually tried the product because you can’t stand that it’s sold through an MLM, that’s your hang-up. The level of some people’s ignorance is outstanding.
As for me, I haven’t jumped into the business yet but I think I will because I’ve only had excellent feedback about the product from hard skeptics/pessimists and I want to free myself from someone else determining how much I can make and how much time I need to spend doing it. CEO’s leverage the talents of others so why can’t the average Joe? I’m so happy that there are some good MLM’s to make this possible for a guy like me.
For those that are keeping positive, keep working hard because this isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. Those that fail, fail because they have no clue how to organize themselves, think it’s a get-rich-quick scheme or are just morons that no one trusts to do business with.
You are close to the Kingdom of Heaven and MonaVie.
I hate stupid people, and those who ridicule Monavie are simply that.
Love one another and judge not.
wana be healthy? eat fruits and veggies! thats wat i do…work out every day..if u take care of ur body, it will take care of u, u dont need miracle monavie.
You say MonaVie is a miracle, who does not need a miracle?
OMG. I really hope that the new comers to this juice craze realize that most of these positve Monavie posts are the same people selling it and trying to make money. It’s all about the almighty dollar.
I’ve tried Monavie for three months, almost $600.00, with zero results for me. The person who turned me on to it told me he saw results in a few weeks. After I was not seeing any results, he kept leading me on with, “oh, you should keep drinking it……it takes a month, two month three months” . Gimmie a break. How about six months, twelve months? (all the while other people make money)
What a shame.
Thou shalt not lie, three months supply costs about $420.00 and in bulk less than that. and who in their right mind drinks something for three months and has no results yet still pays $600.00? wow.
I am going to a Monavie meeting on Monday- I will taste the product for the first time. I have been reading about the properties and benefits of the Acai berry for quite a while and have the urge to try this for at least a couple of months to see how I feel. I’m afraid about the Marketing part and the auto shipment- I’ve tried MLM before and did not like it- was always a waste of time and money. I’m skeptical but will give it a try anyways! I’m afraid what my husband will tell me when he learns each bottle cost so much!!! cross my fingers on this one or divorce for sure!!!
When your husband sees what it does for your body, weight, skin, energy etc. he will believe it and about a divorce, if most people would take care of their bodies maintain weight, eat right and invest in their beauty and overall looks and health the divorce rate would drop.
Do NOT, I repeat, DO NOT fall for this scam. It is another ploy to take everyone’s money and make everyone broke by believing in a “magic potion” to take their troubles away! I fell for it, and I am kicking myself. It is expensive, awful to drink, and after taking it for two days I had a horrible headache all day long, and felt nauseous all day long.
SAVE YOUR MONEY! Go to the fresh market and buy fruits and vegetables and work out 5 days a week instead.
Trust me. It’s a TOTAL SCAM.
yes, go to the market and buy all the fresh fruit and veggies. Buy enough to get the thirteen servings you get in Mona vie, and the ten servings the government recommends you eat each day. Then maybe you’ll see how impossible it is to get your nutrition through food, without supplementing. Who eats TEN SERVINGS OF FRUIT AND VEGGIES EVERY DAY???? WHO CAN AFFORD TO BUY THEM??? Do the math. Monavie is cheap compared to what your grocery bill will be.
That’s why they have multi-vitamins.
I’ve been reading a lot of comments about how Mona-Vie is a scam. It’s just another MLM company with what appears to be a very good product. MLM company products are always expensive because of the commissions paid to distributors who sell the product. This doesn’t make it a scam. It just makes for an expensive, even if good, product.
My niece said her husband’s blood pressure dropped dramatically after 3 months on Mona-Vie. He had been on medication which was not controlling it. My niece said she herself no longer suffers from irritable bowel syndrome which has plagued her almost all her life. She is 32. She also no longer gets frequent bladder infections. She says it has replaced all of the vitamins and other supplements they were taking. And my sister-in-law and brother-in-law say they have a lot more energy now. They want my husband and I to try it, but it IS expensive, even at the wholesale price apparently.
But if one has a serious health problem, the cost could be worth it if it helps. There is something to be said for its antioxidant properties. And there are a lot of supplements for serious health problems that cost as much or more.
As far as headaches some people experience, that is normal when detoxing, and Mona-Vie helps to detox your system. This is mentioned on the distributors’ websites. This can happen with any detox product.
I used to be a distributor for Herbal Life. I never felt so good as when I was taking those products and my husband lost 12 pounds in 2 weeks. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get anyone else interested and I couldn’t afford to keep buying it even with my discount. So that was the end of that.
If you want to try Mona-Vie and can afford it, then do it. But don’t slam the product without even trying it. If you don’t like it, stop taking it. It may not help you, but it’s helping a lot of other people.
Pyramid Marketing is not illegal. But it does have one fatal flaw. It relies on the grass roots efforts of individuals to strongly pursue their personal marketing efforts. But once you exhaust your friend network, then what? Most peter out and fail and the direct effects are felt back up the pyramid scale. The winners are those that put in the real work and continue to work. Guys, nothing in life is free. Everything worthwhile takes a ton of effort. Who cares about if the stuff is real? The question you should all debate is whether or not you have what it takes to commit to such a business model. Most are not. So beware.
Actually, a “pyramid scheme” is one in which a person is paid to bring others into the program – no product is involved. This program has the earmarks of that but is using the addition of the acai juice to try to make it legit.
I made tons of money in multi-level marketing with Excel long distance, but no one in my extensive downline had the drive to do the same. After four years I was glad to see Excel go underground. Now my daughter in law wants me to “go to a meeting” to see the Monaview plan. It breaks my heart to have to tell her that, knowing her, she just doesn’t have the excitement, the charisma, the greed it will take to succeed in that business. And most of all, unlike Excel, these people are saying this is NOT a multi-level marketing plan! (Or she isn’t listening)
You can say whatever you want about scams, pyramids and other bad publicity, but the bottom line is this…Nothing works for everybody all the time, but this works for me and my husband. I don’t sell it, I just share the information with anyone who wants to hear it and let them make their own decisions. Personally, we love the taste and usually drink more than the suggested dosage just because.
The only TRUE pyramids are the companies with CEO’s and such where no one lower in the company has any chance of making more than the top guy. In this opportunity, you can easily out earn any one in your upline AND in order to move through the upper ranks, you MUST help others in your downline. You DON’T need to have a ton of product on hand you just need to buy what you drink and if you want to share it, a little extra. 1 case/month to stay active & 2 case/month for 100% commision levels. However, the earning potential is so easy that you end up paying for your product with the card that Mona-Vie uses to you pay you. It is NOT a get rich quick deal. Usually it’s a 2 – 5 year plan for major success.
Oh, and you CANNOT get fresh fruit (especially the variety in this juice) in the quantity of nutrional value for cheaper than this juice. Just try to get 13 servings of the pesticide filled fruit from your local grocery store for $5/day. Not going to happen.
I don’t try to convince ANYONE to sign up, I simply share the information of both the juice & the opportunity, along with my own PERSONAL testimony and let them make their own decisions. I don’t want to DRAG anyone into this. And no, I am not high in the company, I have only been drinking the product since Nov ’08 with my husband and daughter. My husband is living, walking proof that a lot of coincidences happen when you start giving your body the nutrition it needs to do what it was made to do. Can you get the equivilant nutritional values somewhere else? Not from ONE product. Can you find another company that is giving back to the world MORE than this 4 year old company? DOUBTFUL. Do I truly care what the naysayers have to say about this product? Not a chance in…well you know where. I KNOW what I have seen and experienced with this juice and with the company. Yes it is a network marketing company, but life is all about network marketing and we all do it everyday WITHOUT being compensated for it, why not do it and get paid.
Anyone who has not given the product a solid month has no idea what it can do. You don’t take medicine for 1 to 2 days and get results. You don’t eat healthy one day a week and eat crap the other 6 and expect to stay or get in shape. So what if you don’t like the taste, if it helps you feel better, wouldn’t you still take it? You swallow all kinds of nasty tasting medicines, and personally I can’t imagine someone not liking it but we are all different.
For the record, you cannot succeed in this company if your are all about the money, greed will get you nowhere. You might build up a nice thing for a minute but it will fail if you are not in it for the right reasons, to share the opportunity for better health, wealth and spiritual freedoms.
What if it works? Why NOT this?
Good luck to all those who say they really tried it and failed (??) I hope you find something that works for you, just keep in mind that as mentioned already, nothing really worth it is easy. No matter what you find, to be successful at it you will have to work hard, at least for a little while.
Jena,
I don’t know anything about MLM’s, and I am not interested in such.
I do know a little about food science.
I’ve reviewed the published data from AIBMR Life Sciences, which produced the study on MonaVie (study was sponsored by MonaVie).
Dr. Schauss, et al produced the following data:
MonaVie contains 1.48 mg/ml of total phenolics. Phenolics, also known as polyphenols, are all of the plant-based antioxidants combined in the product.
They also documented an ORAC score 0f 22.81 umoles/ml. The ORAC of the processed, freeze-dried acai powder, used as one of the ingredients in MonaVie is 1,027 umoles/gm.
We can compare the numbers above to some common foods that are listed in the USDA ORAC Table of Selected Foods (2007)
Peanut butter: Total phenolics: 5.36 mg/gm
ORAC of 34.32 umoles/gm
Plums: Total phenolics: 3.67 mg/gm. ORAC: 62.59 umoles/gm.
There are many foods that have higher levels of phenolics and higher ORAC scores than MonaVie.
The freeze-dried, processed acai powder used in MonaVie, is diluted so much by the other ingredients, that it becomes a minor player in the list of ingredients. 1,027 umoles for the acai concentrate vs. 22.81 umoles for MonaVie.
This is the science of the product. Any perceived benefits from consuming this product will, simply be, anecdotal.
There is not, and never has been, any documentation that MonaVie is equivalent to 13 fruits. If you run across a scientific study in a peer-reviewed journal that refutes this, please the reference on this site.
I appreciate the civil reply. All the science data aside I KNOW what MV has done for my family (esp. my husband) and we did try to find something off the shelf that would do what it has and tried a lot of items but none helped him like MV did. I would have paid $200/bottle for it if that is what it had cost after what it did for my husband, thankfully I don’t have to since it cost less than that for one case. So I choose to stay with it and if doing so allows me to help other people get better health and maybe even wealth in the process, then so be it.
If it doesn’t matter to you that the antioxidant levels are limited, and it is not an outstanding source of phytonutrients, then I have no issues with you. The most important thing is your family is feeling well. Whatever the cause, it’s a good thing.
I have been re-reading the comment above and I appreciate your information. So I plan to do more research because of it. In fairness could you explain the following:
“1,027 umoles for the acai concentrate vs. 22.81 umoles”
Unless I am reading this wrong, isn’t 1,027 HIGHER than 22.81?
Just so I know what I am looking at, could you elaborate? Feel free to email me directly instead of offering this up for open debate here unless you don’t care.
Thank you for your consideration
Jena,
Yes, 1,027 is higher than 22.81. That is the point I was making. The 1,027 ORAC is for the acai concentrate (freeze-dried). The 22.81 is for MonaVie, itself. So, the MonaVie is way lower in ORAC than its star ingredient.
If you were eating the acai concentrate (1,027 ORAC) then we wouldn’t be having this conversation. However, MonaVie is what you drink (22.81 ORAC) As you can figure, the acai concentrate is so diluted by the other ingredients, that it doesn’t really help in raising MonaVie’s ORAC.
I hope this answers your question.
Thanks again! This is helpful. As I mentioned before, we are having amazing results from it so I am not sure this would make us stop, but it is good to know everything I can about this product, especially if I am representing it as a distributor.
I appreciate your time and understandable explanations. I like what I have seen so far on the site!
antioxidents and phytonutrients are the same thing, and one gram of MonaVie acai freezed dried power has more antioxidents and phytonutrients than any other competitors acai on the market. 4 ounces of MonaVie has the antioxidents of 13 servings of common fruits and vegetables. that’s about $21.00 a day for the antioxidents in common store bought fruits and vegetables,and 4 ounces of MonaVie provides at the cost of about $3.50 to $5.00 a day. the best source for antioxidents and phtyonutrients on the market, MonaVie, second to none. 5000 antioxident units for 4 ounces of MonaVie, compare today, and see for yourself, MonaVie is the leader in acai products.
Holy cult…. I have a frind in this SCAM and the mentors or cult leaders or whatever they are called are telling her to not buy a house to focus on their “business” and are making her keep track of her finances for them. This is scary to me. I wouldn’t go near the Mona vie scam artists with a 10 foot pole.
You will always find bad apples in everything out there, any business and even churches. These ‘mentors’ as you called them sound like they are in the business for the wrong reasons. Please don’t judge everyone on the action of a few. I don’t care what you think about some of the others but I do NOT run my business like that and would never teach anyone else to do so.
MV is no more a scam than any company with a CEO. Try going into a ‘real job’ and ask to be paid more than your boss. Good luck covering your butt as they kick it out of the building.
Wouldn’t it be funny if all of these comments are from employees of different MLM comapnies, making up stuff for ‘REAL’ people to read….
…I raed all of this an don’t know who is real and who is not.
I could care less about the money making opportunity. I just want a drink to help me stay healthy.
The search continues…
I didn’t join MV for the money making opportunity, I signed up to get it wholesale because of the amazing things it has done for my family (cheaper is always better).
All I have ever done is tell people about it and suggest that they try it for one month and make their own decisions. They would be out less than $150(this can be blown at w-mart with no health benefits at all), have gotten all the fruits their body needs for a month and MIGHT just find something to change their health for the better. A natural remedy sure beats the drugs so many happily take while screaming SCAM at MV.
I’m not involved with any MLM, and there are no competitors of MonaVie that I would recommend. I admit that I’m very ignorant about how MLM’s work. I have been a food technologist for thirty years. That is what I do know.
Do your own research. First, check the study that MonaVie sponsored. You can find it at: http://www.aibmr.com/news/pdfs/antioxidant-juice.pdf
You’ll want to note the ORAC score of MonaVie (22.81 umoles) and the Total Phenolics (AKA polyphenols. The combined total of all plant-based antioxidants) which is 1.48 mg/ml.
Second, check out the USDA ORAC Table of Selected Foods – 2007. You can find it at: http://www.arsusda.gov/SP2UserFiles/Place/12354500/Data/ORAC/ORAC07.pdf
This table lists the ORAC values of various foods. Also, it lists the total phenolics (TP)
Rember, it lists them per 100 grams, so divide the numbers by 100 (or move decimal to left 2 places) to compare to MonaVie.
If you have any questions, email me at Foodtech101@Yahoo.com
MLM is a way to market a product, if Pepsi Cola sold its product by MLM the so called employees would be the stores that sell it? MLM distributors are not employees, they are independant business owners, and they are in business for themselves. While employees are poor working for the rich, MLM distributors are building a business, in which 95% of Americans cannot or will not do. And why not just try the product before making a rash statement about MLM, it is the perfect business.
Viva mona vie!
I am the PROUD daughter of a MONA VIE distributer and the head of advertising projects for Mona vie in our area. I would just like to say to those, who are bad mouthing this fountain of youth in a bottle, EITHER DRINK- FEEL IT- SHARE IT, OR STICK A CORK IN IT!
– EMMA
how’s it taste with vodka?
Try it you will like it!
The facts are ,the 19 fruits are not listed as certified organic and GM free in Mona-vie
Nor the % of each fruitconcentrate.
The acai-berry contents is very little in MV.
The claim it can cure even cancer gives People
hope.And hope can heal also.
Why not dry another product like called “Zamu”
which claimed to be at least organic and much cheaper.The old saying an Organic Apple a day keeps the doctor away is true.Plenty of veggies
some Fish no meat.Not to much dairy.And burn what you eat.Enough sleep is the best prevention.regards john
You don’t need this overpriced Juice.Every Juice loose its Vitamins when heated or cooled.
The 19 fruits in MonaVie are organic, the reason its not organic certified is that one of the berries comes from China, the wolfberry or gogiberry. China has no organic certification on any of its fruits, the fruit is tested by the FDA for trace chemicals and pesticides, the wolfberry is organic as far as its content, but it has no organic certification, without all of the fruits being certified organic the product cannot get a certification, but remove the one ingredient, the wolfberry from China and it could be certified organic. MonaVie is 100% organic, they just will not remove a truly powerful superfruit like the wolfberry to get it certified, that’s all.
The thing that bothers me the most about MonaVie is that this product is not organic. I prefer to eat/drink only organic fruit/juice. Perhaps the benefits outweigh the risks of drinking nonorganic (pesticide containing) concentrated juices, but I as I said, I prefer to drink organic only. There are less expensive organic products available.
Q: Is MonaVie’s açai certied as organic?
A: Yes. The açai used by MonaVie is certified as organic through The Institute for Marketecology (IMO). IMO is
one of the first and most renowned international agencies for inspection, certification and quality
assurance of eco-friendly products.
Mona-Vie’s fruits are harvested wild or organic…no pesticides…
Less expensive is term thrown around a lot at MV…but if you truly look at what you’re getting for around $5/day…what do you think is so expensive about it? Can you get 5 full servings of local fruits for $5 a day? Maybe in Bananas or Apples but definitely not the higher quality fruits and NOTHING like what is in MV. Besides, do you feed orphans when you buy fruit at the local stores? Do the local stores offer you compensation for referring a friend to them? What the heck is the big deal about the network marketing thing. The company offers a QUALITY product at a price that allows them to give back to the world and the distributors.
Same old story here…I just wish the Pro-Mona-Viers would not stoop so low as to disrespect others and their opinions…Our upline would not approve and neither would God. We are encouraged to share the product and the opportunity to whoever is looking and let them make their own decisions. The nay-sayers opinions will not change the facts about the product but our ‘rude’ responses can do more harm than can be imagined. Try to remember why we are doing this…to make the world a better place…one person at a time.
“Superjuices” don’t come close when comparing costs for antioxidants. Example: A day’s serving of MonaVie (4 oz.) is $7.20 ($45/bottle) or as low as $3.20 a day (at $20 – distributor’s cost) A single Delicious Red Apple costs about $0.75
For MonaVie,that gives you a ORAC of 2,698 umoles (29.57 ml per oz times 4 oz.times 22.81 according to AIBMR). That also gives you a total phenolics (all antioxidants) for the day, of 175 mg. for 4 oz.
The 22.81 ORAC and 1.48 mg phenolics are from the MonaVie-sponsored study by AIBMR Life Sciences.
Now compare it to a SINGLE Red Delicious Apple. Average weight 150 gms.
Total ORAC per apple: 6,413 umoles. (42.75 umoles times 150 gms)
Total phenolics (total antioxidants): 520 mg per apple. Apple data from USDA ORAC Table of Selected Foods – 2007
SUMMARY: ORAC: MonaVie 2,698 Apple 6,413
PHENOLICS: MonaVie 175 mg Apple 520 mg
COST: MonaVie $3.20 to $7.20 per day. Apple: $0.75/day
Hi Food Tech!!
Below is posted on MV website:
*What is the ORAC value of MonaVie juice?
Four ounces of MonaVie has an approximate ORAC value of 4,000 to 5,000 units. This is the approximate ORAC value of 5 to 13 commonly eaten fruits and vegetables. Health experts currently recommend consuming 5,000 ORAC units per day for optimal antioxidant protection.
The açai berry naturally contains a good amount of heart-healthy fats—monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. Many companies choose to clarify or remove these fats from their açai products; however, MonaVie is committed to only providing açai that has not been clarified and that has higher nutritional quality. The number one ingredient in the MonaVie juice blend is açai. By looking at the ingredient list you can see what ingredient is the most abundant. Most of the time, in other products, açai is not the first ingredient, which could indicate that the product only contains a small amount. MonaVie uses freeze-dried and frozen puree of acai. By freeze-drying the açai, up to 100% of the phytonutrient composition is maintained. Freezing the açai puree also helps guarantee a significant amount of the berry’s nutritional content is maintained.*
What is your take on these statements? It cannot be put in writing if it is not accurate because of the “claims” people are so worried about making. I know we have discussed the ORAC values before, but you had asked me to give you some kind of documentation.
It is common knowledge that an apple today does not have the same nutrional value it had 30 years ago because of soil conditions, pollutants etc. The figures above for the apple are highly suspect due the dependance on where it was grown, how it was grown, etc. And when multiply $0.75 x 5 = $3.75 or by 13 = $9.75 I still don’t see how anyone can expect to get the same quality of nutrition from fresh fruit. I am by no means saying people should stop eating fresh fruit, but if $$ is the only excuse people have for not at least trying the product then I disagree with that theory.
It’s always a pleasure reading your posts. I appreciate a civil, knowledgable interaction any time.
Jena,
Remember, most of the MonaVie corporate people are from marketing backgrounds.
Traditionally, the technical staff and marketing staff of food & beverage companies are at odds with each other. The statement that you quoted had to have been written by a marketing person.
The data that I use for MonaVie comes from their sponsored study by AIBMR Life Sciences, directed by Dr. Schauss.
Please refer to my post of June 23rd to read the study for yourself.
When you review AIBMR’s data, look on page numbered 8329. Under “Results” the ORAC of MonaVie is listed as 22.8 umoles/ml.
Now, we can convert the ORAC of a milliliter of MonaVie to the ORAC of 4 ounces of MonaVie by the following:
Most people use 28.35 as the number of mls in an ounce. That is incorrect. MonaVie is a liquid, so we need to use fluid measurements.
The correct number is 29.57 mls per fluid ounce. So, 29.57 times 4 oz. equals 118.28 mls. of MonaVie in 4 oz.
Since the ORAC is 22.8 per ml., we multiply 118.28 mls times 22.8.
The total ORAC is 2,698 umoles for 4 oz. of MonaVie. Whoever did the math for the website made an error. You may want to bring it to their attention.
The 5 to 15 servings of fruits/vegetables is a fun one. Again, refer to my post of June 23rd for the web address for the USDA ORAC Table of Selected Foods – 2007.
To simplify your research, you only need to look for two numbers for each fruit/vegetable: the Total ORAC and the Total Phenolics (they use TP)
Most of the numbers are expressed as “per 100 grams). So, to compare to MonaVie, move the decimal place to the left two places. This gives you the numbers as “per gram.” MonaVie is expressed as per ml, but the difference is only slight.
The final step is serving size. According to the same AIBMR report that we used for the ORAC, the total phenolics of MonaVie is 1.48 mg/ml.
Using the same calculations: 29.57 ml times 4 times 1.48, we find 175 mg. of total phenolics per 4 oz. of MonaVie.
To calculate the ORAC or total phenolics of any of the foods on the USDA ORAC table you need to multiply by an actual serving. The USDA lists most of the servings as 100 grams.
We know that a serving of one apple is not the same as a banana or of almonds. So, it’s best to weigh your food yourself.
I found for my apples, that 150 grams was average.
Now, MonaVie claims that their product is equal to 5 to 13 servings of fruits/veggies.
How can this be if one apple has the ORAC 2.4 times higher, and total phenolics three times higher than 4 ounces of MonaVie?
Well, it can if they compare it to an antioxidant-lacking fruit.
Take, for example, watermelon. It has an ORAC of only 1.42 umoles/gm and a total phenolics of 0.59 mg/gm. That’s because watermelon is…mostly water.
So, MonaVie would have an ORAC 16X greater than watermelon.
But, if you compare MonaVie to most other fruits/vegetables like: plums, almonds, cherries, blueberries, apples, etc… There would be no way that it is equal to 5 to 13 servings.
5 to 13 is nothing more than a marketing numbers game.
I hope this answers your questions. I recommend spending $50 and talking to a registered dietician. Print out a copy of the AIBMR report. He/she will be able to verify my math.
Monavie people are absolutely nuts. I wound up in the same hotel as a Monavie convention one weekend and, even worse, on the plane going home with them afterward. The first hour of the flight the guy across the aisle talked to the whole plane about how he got rich and they can too, and the second hour the guy next to me (who could barely speak English) tried to “get to know me” and talk about how I could be healthier with Monavie, and my friends could be healthier too if I would only become a distributor.
Aside from the fact that the distributors are the main juice consumers, another obvious part of the scam is the merchandise. Every Monavie person on the plane was wearing at least two (sometimes more) different Monavie-branded clothing items. As a distributor, you’ve obviously gotta “live the brand,” which means buy, buy, buy.
Saying ALL Mona-Vie people are nuts is like saying all white people are stupid (being white I can say that and hey, no comments from the peanut gallery ok?). MV clothing is no different than wearing your favorite sports team, college, music group, etc…EXCEPT that none of them offer you the opportunity to get compensated for sharing your opinion with friends.
Even with all the information Food Tech has offered me, I KNOW what MV has done for my family. I KNOW a nurse friend who has been drinking it for 3 years and is not working the business. I KNOW of a few other people who have also been just drinking it for years without doing the business. That tells ME that the product does make a difference. No one is going to spend $130+/month on something that does not work.
What bothers me more than anything else is the nastiness being spewed by BOTH sides of the fence. Is it really necessary to trash people because the don’t feel the same as you? There so many more important issues going on the world that could use this kind of energy focused on them to fix than to post hateful things over a fruit juice. Really? Really? It’s just fruit people. Make a choice.
If you don’t want to have anything to do with it, then don’t.
If you’re curious, then give it a fair shot and try it for a month. One month. You’ll be out less that $150 (which can be blown on worse things than fruit juice) and have gotten some extra nutrition and maybe some pain relief if you try the active. This way YOU can make an educated decision for yourself and not have someone else convince you one way or another. It may not do anything for you, but what if it works?
If you’re in MV, then don’t let others goad you into being nasty to them. Show them that we are ordinary people with dreams and hopes like anyone else and just because we have chosen to share MV that doesn’t make us evil or bad or corrupt. Don’t force this on people, just share the message and let them make their own choice. Don’t lose friendships over a juice!!!
A business owner that brands himself, web site, business cards, bumber sticker, ad in fliers etc is advertising his or her business. To be excited about ones business is not crazy, judgeing others that are excited about something they do is crazy. Again change the product to Pepsi and its just a product, some people sell and a lot buy. It’s business and the sellers are sometimes rich and the buyers are sometimes poor. But to sell is not a crime its just what leaders of very large corporation do and very well, if you are a poor buyer, then get on the plane and start selling and get rich. Either get on board and become successful and a leader or praise the ones who do. But do not knock anyone that sells a product and becomes successful, its not their fault that all are not sellers.
why not simply take the acai berry? and a real good look at your diet and lifestyle? anyone and everyone could benefit from that, without needing to sign their names on dotted lines. health, wealth and wellness to all, …..
it’s funny to me because a couple friends of mine started to sell monavie at the beginning of the summer and they’re all hyped up because they think they’ll make millions of dollars and get a free trip to space or a new car. it is true, you can’t make millions honestly by just selling some juice. there’s got to be something wrong here.
It’s not just the product, it’s the method used to market the product. MLM has created more millionaires in its 100 years of history than anything thing else. Sceptics never acheive success in anything as doubt cannot move mountains.
I have been a prey to the Monavie scam, I have never heard about the company till one day my friend introduced it to me. I took a taste of the product and BAM, I was hooked. I instantly told everyone I was talking to about the product. I started to think of ways to sell the product. I tried that comapany for two months and no product sales (due to the price) and no down line to show due to all of the other scams out on the market.
Click my name and it will take you to a web site for Christians that are making money in MonaVie. The secret to being successful in MonaVie is to have people come to you looking for your product and opportunity. Do not give up, you quit too soon, keep the faith, I am willing to help anyone that does not quit.
I tried selling it for a year but finally I said ’nuff! My prospects did research and found sites like Purple Horror that listed all the other fruits with larger amounts of antioxidants than monavie. We can’t make medical claims and the antioxidants won’t sell it so whats left?
I also heard from someone that takes monavie that it did wonders for her and her knee’s after surgery. my father is a doctor and also offers vitamins and supplements to his patience if they are interested.i don’t believe that to be uncommon. people might also want to try opc3 like monavie it is high in antioxidants and less expensive.
took this Mona Vie Drink at Promotion they were looking for new members to sell their drink
I tried the drink and with in 24hrs was rushed to
the hospital with internal bleeding caused by a shell fish reaction , I was never told their product contained any shell fish I was in the hospital for 3 days and 25,000 dollars later stuck with this bill . I contacted Their Utah
Headquaters office to recover medical costs got
nothing but Gradon Jackson another Con man attorney Im out 25,000 Don’t Drink it you have been warned .. I almost died
I find this comment very interesting since there is NO SHELLFISH AT ALL in MV. I know a tone of people with shellfish alergies that CAN drink MV BECAUSE it has none. Not saying you didn’t have the reaction you had but it WAS NOT from MV
19 fruits in a puree nothing more nothing less. Are you sure that everything you put in your mouth was just MonaVie, is it possible that something other than fruit juice entered your mouth, like sea food? wow, I never heard of anyone eating fruit and getting shell fish poisoning. I am sorry you almost died, I hope that you fully recovered, but please appologize to MonaVie for accusing them of putting seafood in their juice…
Enjoy your “placebo” effect.
I love going to a waterpark and get lambarded by some old man telling me my life will be cut short if I dont see the positive side of his fruit drink. Monavie.
You people are fanatics.
If you had a product that saved a life, restored ones health, helped anyone feel better, would you seek to help others at water parks etc. or would you remain silent and let the world go on without hope? that old man may just out live some young cancer patient that called him a fanatic years ago.
No I do not think it is a SCAM! The compensation plan is quite simple compared to many MLM plans. If you have introduced two friends and one friend is building their leg faster, it only makes sense that you help the weaker of the two, to get the two legs balanced and all will be conpensated. You can buy cheap product or expensive product in all forms and all industries. Statistics prove that in most cases the better product is made better, has better results and last longer. I purchased two pair of Doc Martin shoes ($125 a pair)in 1997 for work and they are still in fashion and in perfect shape and it has been 12 years. I have a suggestion for those who think it is too expensive or the compensation plan does not work and that is don’t get involved. But I also encourage you to find out for yourself and don’t let stinking thinking stop you. I have friends getting amazing results in both health and finance. I came out of the health and fitness industry that I was in for 20 years and $4-$6 dollars a day to improve your health is cheap. Most of North Americans will spend alot more than that on junk food and coffee that is killing them.
Thanks Clint
Clint,
Exactly how is MonaVie superior to store shelf cranberry juice, which has a higher antioxidant level?
Do you have any scientific evidence other than antedoctal evidence from distributors who want you to buy it?
MonaVie is alright, but I know the best antioxidant supplement on the planet and it’s not an MLM.
Mona Vie at it’s very best is 1,027 ORAC units per gram.
Biozama has over 47,000 ORAC units per gram.
You read that right and I proclaim it again:
Over 47,000 ORAC units per gram.
I challenge anyone on earth to beat that.
Looking forward to any challengers and takers.
Y’all have a nice day!
There are 16 phytonutrients and antioxidents in acai alone, combined with all 19 fruits the phytonutrients and antioxidents are unbeatable in MonaVie. The human body can only absorb 5000 antioxidants a day. 4 ounces of monaVie has 5000 antioxidants. 1,000,000 antioxidants are useless and a waste, plus if the antioxidant is of one source like a cactus, there is only one benefit as one kind of antioxidant is not much help to the body as it requires numerous varieties of antioxidants to benefit the human body. There are hundreds of varieties of antioxidents and phtyonutrients found in plants, and MonaVies 19 superfruits have much of them covered. Its not how many antioxidants over 5000 that matters, it is the variety of antioxidants that matter, and 45,000 antioxidant units of one variety of antioxidant is almost useless to the human body, but 5000 units of one antioxodant variety is better than none.
Its already been proven that antioxidants in a pill form have never benefited anyone with disease, the only way to benefit from antioxidants is to get them naturally from food. MonaVie is a natural food product, nothing is changed or added to the product like sugar etc. It is 100% natural and one of the only ways to get antioxidants that are known to benefit the human body.
I challenge you.
I reviewed the Biozama web page. Lots of phoney claims here. Where is the science? Who tested the ORAC? I would like to see a copy of the lab results. Classic marketing silliness.
Will people ever learn?
You say you are a food tech? how is it that you have no knowledge of the acai berry it is a common food in Brazil and now in the U.S. you should be teaching us about the health benefits of fruits etc. The science is clear, even oprah winfrey knows about the health benefits of acai. Soon the whole world will know as it is powerful food and the testimonials are in the millions.
I’m not sure about Mona Vie though I do know fruits in general are good for you. Still, I had to point out:
testimonials and Oprah Winfrey do not constitute clear science.
The old and new testaments of the bible are true, and yet a scientist says no its not true. I say some scientists are in danger of hell fire for spreading lies as science and condemning the truth, Science is interpreted as the search for truth, Jesus said I am the truth. Scientists that deny Jesus have no truth. Oprah winfrey allows doctors onto her show that reveal the truth about the acai berry, but again fools despise wisdom.
George,
The acai freeze-dried concentrate is but one of many ingredients in MonaVie. The ORAC score of the concentrate (a processed food) is 1,027 umoles/ml (Dr. Schauss).
After the addition of water and other ingredients, the ORAC of MonaVie drops to 22.81 umoles/ml. (again, Dr. Schauss-AIBMR 2008)
This ORAC is lower than Welch’s Concord Grape Juice (UCLA, Journal of Agricultural & Food Chemistry – 2008)
It is also lower than apples, almonds, blueberries, plums, peanut butter and many other foods (USDA ORAC Table of Selected Foods – 2007)
So, adding a single ingredient, with a high ORAC, to a batch of fruit juice is similar to throwing an orange in a swimming pool and claiming high vitamin C.
It’s called dilution.
The acai berry without freeze drying would lose up to 60% to all of its nutrients. Freeze drying it preserves the fruit, adding water to a freeze dried fruit powder does nothing to take away from its natural nutrients and antioxidant virtues. Also add 18 super fruits to the juice puree and the antioxidant capacity of 4 ounces of MonaVie is around 5000 antioxidant units.
MonaVie is the best source of acai on the market. And with such superfruits as acai berry, acerola cherry, apricot, aronia berry, banana, bilberry, bluberry, camu-camu, cranberry, kiwi fruit, lychee, nashi pear, passion fruit, pear, pomegranate, prune, purple grape, white grape, wolfberry you can see science cannot dispute the health benefits of all of these wonderful fruits that God has made for us to enjoy and benefit from.
And again God Almighty drinks MonaVie because its good. Just drink it and stop trying to fight it, you will lose no matter how hard you try to stop good people from enjoying this great product because its good.
As a food tech do you have any advise for the country on preventing disease, have you ever supported a food that helps people, do you know what causes disease, poor diet, stress, smoking, too much sun, too much exercise, too much alchohol, to much fat, too much sugar, malnutrition, free radical damage.
The human body regenerates itself, but free radicals [molecules with an unpaired electron cause damage to tissue and cells and DNA and other molecules by stealing an electron from an healthy cell, leading to inflammation and many diseases. Our bodies create an antioxidant enzyme from the antioxidants from plants that restore the free radical molecules missing electron. Thus slowing down the aging process, and preventing disease in the body. The nutrients in MonaVie, with the acai berry as the main ingredient, with all the other superfruits has an antioxidant ORAC score higher than anything on the market by the ounce.
Yes, I do support using foods that contain high levels of antioxidants. Please google the USDA ORAC Table of Selected Foods.
It is loaded with page after page of common produce and foods that have much higher levels of antioxidants than MonaVie.
I have no issues with consuming MonaVie as a supplement to a healthy diet (except for the ridiculous price). I do have an issue when the company makes a claim about equating MonaVie with 5 to 13 servings of fruits/vegetables. It is not true.
George,
Responding to your first post about antioxidants. How did you arrive at 5,000 antioxidant units for 4 oz. of MonaVie?
First, there is no such thing as an antioxidant unit. I believe you are talking about the ORAC score. There is an urban myth that MonaVie has an ORAC of 5,000 umoles for 4 oz. This is false.
According to AIBMR Life Sciences (Director Dr. Schauss) MonaVie has a total ORAC of 22.81 umoles per ml.
The proper calculation is: 4 oz. of MonaVie TIMES 29.57 (number of ml. in a fluid oz.) TIMES 22.81 (number of umoles in a ml of MonaVie)
This equates to 2,698 umoles per 4 ounces of MonaVie. This is from the MonaVie sponsored study by AIBMR/Dr. Schauss
If you’re talking about Total Phenolics (AKA: polyphenols), which are all of the plant-based antioxidants combined, then the calculations are as follows:
4 oz. of MonaVie TIMES 29.57 TIMES 1.48 mg (total phenolics per ml of MonaVie – Dr. Schauss)
This equates to 175 mg of total phenolics/polyphenols for 4 ounces of MonaVie.
Compare the above numbers to a single 150 gram apple (red delicious variety) which has an ORAC of 6,412 umoles/apple and total phenolics of 520 mg/apple. Cost: about $0.50
God created the apple. Man created MonaVie
MonaVie Data from AIBMR Life Sciences study sponsored and often cited by MonaVie.
Apple Data from USDA ORAC Table of Selected Foods – 2007
The 5000 orac units are correct. It is not a myth as it is preached at all meetings country wide if it was not true why would company executives preach it so loudly. I must say your knowledge of the so called science is great, but how is it that you still do not understand that 1 gram of MonaVie freezed dried acai has 1027 ORAC units. I believe that if a gram of MonaVie acai has 1027 ORAC units, then it is not hard to believe a glass of 4 ounces has 5000 Orac units.
So much for the myth about MonaVie having 5000 orac units per 4 ounces. Click this link and read question #11.
http://www.delmarvayouth.com/uploads/Monavie-Top15Questions.pdf
George,
The 5,000 ORAC for 4 oz. of MonaVie is either an error or a lie. You decide.
Following is a link to the only study on MonaVie performed by AIBMR Life sciences (Dr. Schauss) This study was sponsored by MonaVie.
http://www.aibmr.com/news/pdfs/antioxidant-juice.pdf
On page 8329, the authors clearly explain that the ORAC of MonaVie is 22.8 umoles TE/ml.
As noted in my previous post, 4 oz. times 29.57 ml/oz. times 22.81 equals 2,698 umoles per 4 oz. of MonaVie.
They also tell you that the profile of MonaVie is NOT the same as the acai freeze-dried concentrate.
The link that you posted was probably created by a marketing person, not a scientist. You can choose whom to believe.
Again, let me explain. The acai freeze-dried concentrate (ORAC 1,027) is a SINGLE ingredient in MonaVie. You are consuming the MonaVie juice blend, not a full-strength serving of the acai concentrate.
The acai concentrate has an initial ORAC of 1,027.
The acai concentrate is added to the other 18 fruits/ingredients.
Water is added to reconstitute the ingredients, since they arrived as purees (or powder for the acai concentrate)
The final product is MonaVie juice.
MonaVie juice has an ORAC of 22.81 umoles/ml.
1,027 ORAC lowered to 22.81 ORAC means that the acai concentrate was diluted to 1 part acai to 45 parts other ingredients.
If you wish to discuss the scientific analysis of MonaVie, please listen to scientists. The business part of the system is for marketing people.
I am sorry, but you are wrong. And I serously doubt you are a food tech. The test was done using 120 ml of MonaVie, I checked the ORAC of the test, and they were giving the score of 1 ml at 22.80 ORAC to 1 ml of MonaVie. This test was one out of many and there is no proof it was unbiased. Even at 22.80 ORAC of 1 ml of MonaVie is still very high, but the truth is 1 ml of MonaVie contains 41.66 ORAC and this is public information.
How can you doubt this man from being a food tech.This is why I belong to no religion, but spiritual.People like you tend to belittle and talk down to others because you think you’re always right and think you know everything.
George,
Just saying it doesn’t make it true. I’ve already documented my references. You need to do the same if you wish to be a credible participant. My information comes from the study done by AIBMR Life Sciences. Directed by Dr. Schauss, sponsored by MonaVie.
Are you calling Dr. Schauss and MonaVie liars?
I can cite many juices/fruits/vegetables that have a far higher ORAC than MonaVie’s 22.81 umoles.
The 41.66 ORAC that you mentioned is not scientifically credible. Where did you get that information?
As a man that believes in God, it is your duty to be honest and forthright. Now, that you know the facts, will you do so? Or is money the deciding factor?
120 ml of MonaVie is 4 ounces. So 1 ml is 41.66 ORAC as I have said before MonaVie has 5000 ORAC units per 4 ounces. You cannot depend on just one test. Dr Shauss is the one that helped make MonaVies drinks. I don’t think MonaVie would list its Active and Original drinks as having 4000 to 5000 ORAC units per 4 ounces and lie. And if Dr Shauss is a member of MonaVie and this were untrue I believe he would have said so. Also the whole company and all of it’s distributors know of the facts, I am not a scientist just a simple distributor, I trust that the comments I make are true, you can believe them or not, but to question me about my being a man of God is between you and God, he will judge you. I will not answer you anymore concerning this as God knows I lie not, in Christ and I know the truth as the truth is Christ.
Well, I am a scientist. I have reviewed the documented scientific studies, which is one. AIBMR Life Sciences, Directed by Dr. Schauss. The study was funded by MonaVie. They often cite this study.
Whoever wrote the 5,000 ORAC figure is either mistaken or a liar.
You can believe a scientist or a marketing person. Who would have more credibility?
If you choose to continue to perpetuate this lie, then I must question your morals.
Nuetral
For the people that are taking Monavie.
You have to understand that the haters are not against the drink itself but the scheme in which it’s sold in. Most MLM schemes are known to be scams, usually the founders of these products have had trouble with the law before. Like someone else said, if this product is so beneficial then why isn’t it sold in stores.
I understand wanting to make money and trying something new. Everyone is entitles to their own.
I have been a user for 10 months. I have hepc and could not get out of bed the hep c effects the joints I drink the Active and to be honest if i never made a dime I would still buy the product. I also drink the pulse it is FDA approved i also have CHF after 10 months I’m off my heart meds.you do know they have a new energy drink that has no crash. It is called EMV. Rev22;2 read it. If you knew a person who made a million dollars and a person who made a hundred dollars who would you want to take advise from. How many people wish they had the Midas touch. You see God never meant for his people to be down, He throws us life lines all the time we take them or we don’t I’m truly thankful for monavie i can live again i can get up and move with my 14 year old son. Also the fruits they add come from all over the country want info go to http://www.the-team.biz/mv1621830 read about it learn about it. A pyramid scheme is selling a business we promote a wellness drink. My son was on 4 meds for ADHA he is on none now he drinks the juice and the energy drink he has made so much progress. we were spending 200.00 dollars on medicines now we spend 130.00 on juice. Thank you Mr.Baker for having the faith to stand up for what you believe in. Thank God we live in a country that gives us not only freedom of speech but freedom of choice
Kathy,
Regarding your question, would you rather take advice from a person who made a hundred dollars or a million dollars. My answer is to take the advice from the most honest and knowledgeable man. Many millionaires are dishonest.
The science does not support your product. Your anectdotal evidence is not enough to convince me to drink a product that has a lower ORAC score than store-shelf concord grape juice.
I wish you well with your health, but using personal cure stories to make money from gullible people is very unethical, and very un-christian.
Just cause you DON’T believe in the claims others make does not make one NEGATIVE. It makes you a REALIST.
From Wikipedia and all sourced-
Critics of MonaVie include physician Andrew Weil and nutritionist Jonny Bowden, who claim that the nutritional and health benefits of MonaVie juice are not proven and that the product is exorbitantly priced relative to more cost-effective conventional antioxidant-rich foods, such as blueberries, raspberries, and pomegranates.[20][21] According to Men’s Journal, a nutritional analysis conducted by ChromaDex,[22] a contract-testing laboratory, showed that MonaVie Active juice “tested extremely low in anthocyanins and phenolics” and that “even apple juice (which also tested poorly) has more phenolics”.[23] The report also noted that “MonaVie’s vitamin C level was 5 times lower than that of Welch’s Grape Juice.
all this stuff about rates ORAC and prices and reports mean jack. I drink Mona Vie, I sell Mona vie. I can tell you one thing, 2 oz in the morning and 2 oz at night of Mona vie. I am getting is alot more antioxidant now then before mona vie. I feel great and I was just recent asked for id for purchasing beer, I am 35! : ). the girl looked at the id and said holy!! I look great!! You can slam Mona vie for this and that, I really don’t care. It’s your life. I feeling great and looking great and making money. Health and Wealth. to the MV on the board, don’t worry about them. just move on.
I drink water and take multi vitamins and I feel really awesome. Since I started drinking more water and eating healthier foods, I have lost weight and gave up coffee!!! I did these great things without spending $40 for a bottle of Monavie. In fact, I’m gonna start my own MLM business and selling water bottles for $10 each. Who’s with me?!
I am pretty sick of reading George Baker. Get a life!
For starters this business is about so much more than just juice. It is temaed up with R3 Global and they are making a difference in the lives of the people who live in the country of Brazil. Look into it its called the MORE project. Also This company gives back fifty percent of its profits monthly back to each of its distributors depending solely on how much work they themselves have put into it. Fifty percent.think about that the next time you make claims against this company.
For Anonymous, funny you mention the MORE project. Read this: http://www.juicescam.com/the-more-project-is-misusing-funds/
How can you say that the upline’s make all the big bucks when I make more than my upline does and my downline has made more than me?
One really has to be careful with the whole business model of MLM. The MLM model is legal however the very legality of the MLM system rests upon a 1979 court ruling. It gets by on a loophole. The difference between a Pyramid Scheme(illegal) and a MLM(legal) is that MLM’s base compensation is primarily on the amount of products sold which is legal- not on the mere act of recruiting. Also, Multilevel marketing plans usually promise to pay commissions through two or more levels of recruits, known as the distributor’s “downline.” Here’s the problem with traditional MLM models. The MLM’s economic scorecard is characterized by MASSIVE failure rates and financial losses for millions of people. Its structure in which positions on an endless sales chain are purchased by selling or buying goods is mathematically unsustainable, and its system of allowing unlimited numbers of distributors in any market area is inherently unstable.
MLM is a legal form of business only under rigid conditions set forth by the FTC and state attorneys general. Many MLMs often violate these guidelines and operate only because they have not been prosecuted.(not saying this is the case here, but beware of the crooks out there)
The FTC tells us to ask these questions before joining any MLM business model
Here’s 7 things the Federal Trade Commission says to ask yourself when making a decision…
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/consumer/invest/inv12.shtm
“Avoid any plan that includes commissions for recruiting additional distributors. It may be an illegal pyramid.
Beware of plans that ask new distributors to purchase expensive inventory. These plans can collapse quickly — and also may be thinly-disguised pyramids.
Be cautious of plans that claim you will make money through continued growth of your “downline” — the commissions on sales made by new distributors you recruit — rather than through sales of products you make yourself.
Beware of plans that claim to sell miracle products or promise enormous earnings. Just because a promoter of a plan makes a claim doesn’t mean it’s true! Ask the promoter of the plan to substantiate claims with hard evidence.
Beware of shills — “decoy” references paid by a plan’s promoter to describe their fictional success in earning money through the plan.
Don’t pay or sign any contracts in an “opportunity meeting” or any other high-pressure situation. Insist on taking your time to think over a decision to join. Talk it over with your spouse, a knowledgeable friend, an accountant or lawyer.
Do your homework! Check with your local Better Business Bureau and state Attorney General about any plan you’re considering — especially when the claims about the product or your potential earnings seem too good to be true.”
Also, read that newsweek article on MonaVie. Its very very informative and should be a must read. http://www.newsweek.com/id/150499
As for the miracle cures and ailments, you will never hear that from the company or else the FDA will shut them down. They all come from individual experiences. I don’t doubt some people’s legitimacy to those claims. However, one must always remember there is no cure-all juice. In addition to this, the placebo effect applies.
One last thing. Dallin Larsen, the founder of MonaVie, was Vice President of Sales at Dynamic Essentials founded in 1999. They had a product that involved liquid-Royal Tongan Limu which used a nutritive sea plant-Limu Moui containing essential minerals, amino acids, and natural vitamins used to supposedly combat serious illnesses. However, none of the products of Dynamic Essentials offer any cure for any diseases. All their products are bogus and mislead consumers providing wrong information about their health. Since Dynamic Essentials advertised its products on its web site, Foods and Drugs Administration (FDA) issued a cyber letter warning to take off advertisements of such misleading products from their website, as it was in clear case of violation of law. Despite the warning, Dynamic Essentials continued to market its products on its web site. Therefore, FDA ordered seizure of all products of Dynamic Essentials. FDA later destroyed all bottles of Royal Tongan Limu. Dynamic Essentials does not exist any longer. The FDA’s action against Dynamic Essentials is a direct indication and warning to other companies marketing false products and conspiring to earn by deceiving the public.
The FDA has already warned MonaVie about false advertising back in 1997.
The decision is yours. The company has obeyed the laws of MLM business model so far. Just be careful
Sorry I meant the FDA wanted Monavie about false advertising back in 2007…not 1997.
Why do a lot of people want to knock a good product? Expensive? Have you tried to go out a buy and juice these product? Thats expensive! Most people have told me they are sleeping better, more mental clarity, men may snore less or not at all, no more heart burn, no more leg cramps, more energy and on and on… Yes, you can buy other juices, but they are not the top of the line! If you want to drink those thats fine. I came to this site because I thought I might have issues with Mona Vie but now I’m more convinced than ever that Mona Vie is a great product. Yes, many people do not make money at this but they just don’t try and may not be successful at anything they try. I know a couple who went GOLD in six weeks thats $50,000 a year! Whats so wrong with that?
One more thing! Mona Vie is doing more good for Brazil then you think. They are saving acres and acres of rain forest. These trees were being cut down for the hearts of palm and thousands of trees were being cut down and lost forever for 75 cents each!