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Firstly, I want to extend thanks to
MonteCedillo for the tub of Radiate he sent me over a month ago, and his incredible understanding because I was logging a product and could not permit my thoughts of that product interfere with this and vice versa. I think it was just one of the most generous and thoughtful things I have experienced in these forums by any manufacturer of a supplement.
I was so excited during that time, I created the top graphic that was going to prelude my review, and as time progressed, that tub on the counter kept calling to me because I was seeing all sorts of people leaving these (pardon the expression) radiant reviews. I for one loved PEZ the candy when I was a kid, and Orange? Call the press.
Well, my chance to taste the product the other day finally came, and I have to say, it has been a struggle to find the appropriate words to express how that initial tasting went over. The word I have to use is, it was bad. It tasted like medicine, and there was no expected orange flavor hit. I was entirely deflated. So, in my angst I was going through a litany of reasons. The product could just be spoiled or a bad batch, or I didn't mix it. That's it. I didn't mix it. I contacted Monte and expressed what the initial tasting was. I can only imagine how he felt reading my words. I'm not the person who wishes to say negative things.
He was amazing. He said, toss it in a bag, I'l send you a stamp in an envelope and send it back. I'll get you another one. That reply took him all of an hour at most I think. It really made me feel more relaxed and considering the weight one's words can have on a product review, I was set to send it out on Friday, and see what comes next.
The next day, I didn't waste any time however. I wanted a second opinion before having Monte run through the process of getting me a stamp and a new product. So, I had my wife taste it. At first her reply was, "It tastes sweet, artificial sweetener sweet, and that's it". This gave me pause in a good way. Maybe I didn't mix it correctly? No, I did, just as the directions stated. So, she took another sip at my request ,and then immediately after she looked at me and said. "Medicine". Ok, so it isn't my horrid taste buds messing with me.
I wasn't going to have Monte send me a stamp, and envelope etc. So, I put this on pause while I considered just sending the tub back to him to be replaced on my dime. It's the least I can do after he sent me a product not knowing whom he was sending it to, and that is generous enough.
In the mean time, I had traded another member a few items and he actually sent me a sample pack of Radiate! which took me completely by surprise. Now, I had the chance to try it again, before sending the product back. If this was the same, it's just what it is. I'm sharing my in depth thinking process. My only goal here is to be fair, and complete in my review.
Today, (Thursday) I opened the packet which measures to be one full scoop, measured the water carefully, mixed it for a minute vigorously and then sipped it with anticipation. This time it was sweet, a hint of orange, but there again was this strong medicinal taste. This to me wasn't the Orange PEZ flavor everyone was raving about.
This is my review.
Taste: 2.5/5
A score of one would be undrinkable, and this is most certainly not the case. I could use this product as I have had others which are effective in what they do, but taste medicinal. The problem is my expectations were not on par with what was in reality.
Effects: 4/5
I didn't feel much of anything regarding stimulation, and as for appetite suppressant, that would require a longer test which I cannot complete. Though it isn't a part of contention here, but I would have liked to see an open label in order to better asses what it was possibly that was causing my outcome, or in some cases a lack there of.
Mixing: 4/5
It mixed well enough.
Overall Rating: 3.5/5
It's just not for me. The flavor here was a big deal and I was disappointed and could not get past it. I would log the effects of the product further but it isn't something I would honestly want to take every day. I do understand some supplement ingredients are incredibly difficult to mask to taste.