Mankai (Wolffia globosa duckweed) shows promising potential for helping reduce visceral adipose tissue (VAT)—the deep abdominal fat around organs—based on human clinical trials.

Key Evidence from the DIRECT PLUS Trial

In the 18-month DIRECT PLUS randomized controlled trial (294 participants with abdominal obesity, similar age/profile to yours), the "green Mediterranean diet" enriched with daily Mankai (100g frozen cubes in a shake), walnuts (28g), and green tea (3-4 cups) led to:

• 14.1% reduction in visceral fat.
• Compared to ~6% on a standard Mediterranean diet and ~4% on healthy guidelines.
• Even after adjusting for overall weight loss, higher Mankai intake (≥3 times/week) was independently associated with greater VAT loss (up to 26% in high consumers).
• Benefits linked to Mankai's high polyphenols (which support fat metabolism and reduce inflammation), complete protein, fiber, and other nutrients.

This effect was stronger than diet alone, suggesting Mankai contributes specifically to targeting visceral fat (beyond just calorie control or general plant-based eating).

Practical Tips to Incorporate It

• Aim for 100g fresh/frozen Mankai daily (often as cubes blended into a green shake/smoothie—mild taste, easy to mask with berries or spinach).
• Combine with your low-carb, vegetarian-leaning preferences: e.g., in a protein shake replacing a meal or snack.
• Start gradually (e.g., 50g/day) to monitor digestion.
• Track waist circumference (a proxy for visceral fat) or get a DEXA/MRI if possible for better measurement.

The effect of high-polyphenol Mediterranean diet on visceral adiposity: the DIRECT PLUS randomized controlled trial
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12916-022-02525-8

(Full text is freely available there.)

For the trial registration and overview:
https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT03020186

Limited Supply and Specialized Cultivation

Commercial food-grade Wolffia globosa grows primarily in controlled hydroponic systems (greenhouses or isolated aquatic setups) to ensure purity, consistent nutrition, and safety—no contaminants, heavy metals, or pesticides that could come from wild harvesting. This requires precise monitoring of water quality, nutrients, light, and temperature for optimal growth and nutrient profile (like high bioavailable B12, complete protein, and polyphenols backed by clinical studies).

The original branded Mankai (from Hinoman in Israel) involved years of R&D and patented strains, but the US arm shut down in 2022 due to investor decisions. Current suppliers (mostly from Thailand or smaller farms) operate on a smaller scale, so economies of scale aren't there yet—unlike cheap greens like spinach or kale powder.

Processing Costs

Most products are freeze-dried or carefully dried to preserve nutrients, which is more expensive than simple air-drying used for many greens. Harvesting the tiny plants (each frond is <1mm) and turning them into powder adds labor and tech costs.

Niche Market Premium

It's marketed as a premium plant-based protein/superfood with unique benefits (e.g., natural B12, high protein digestibility), so it commands higher prices similar to other trendy items like spirulina, chlorella, or matcha when they were new. Demand is growing (especially among vegans/vegetarians for lipids and visceral fat support), but supply hasn't caught up fully.

Prices should drop as cultivation scales up—research shows potential for efficient, sustainable growth with low water/land use, and more farms are coming online. For now, that 2oz jar (often 10–20 servings) works out to $1–2 per dose, which isn't bad compared to other superfood powders.

several accessible alternatives show strong evidence for targeting visceral adipose tissue (VAT) through similar mechanisms—like boosting polyphenols, fiber, plant proteins, and anti-inflammatory compounds.

Top Evidence-Based Alternatives

1. Walnuts (28g/~1 ounce daily) Part of the same trial as Mankai—walnuts provided key polyphenols (ellagitannins leading to urolithin A metabolites) independently linked to greater VAT loss. Studies show walnuts improve lipid profiles, reduce inflammation, and specifically target abdominal fat. Easy to snack on or add to shakes/salads.
2. Green Tea (3–4 cups daily, or EGCG supplements) Another core component of the "green" diet—rich in catechins (especially EGCG) that promote fat oxidation and visceral fat reduction in human trials. Meta-analyses confirm modest but significant VAT decreases, especially with consistent intake. Opt for brewed tea (unsweetened) for best polyphenol absorption.
3. Other Polyphenol-Rich Berries & Fruits
   • Blueberries, strawberries, or apples: High in anthocyanins and similar compounds; clinical reviews link them to reduced visceral fat via improved insulin sensitivity and gut microbiome changes.
   • Aim for 1–2 cups daily—fresh, frozen, or in smoothies. More affordable and versatile than Mankai.
4. Leafy Greens & High-Fiber Plants (e.g., spinach, kale, broccoli) The trial noted increased dietary fiber was strongly associated with VAT loss (even after adjusting for weight loss). These provide soluble fiber, polyphenols, and nitrates that support metabolic health and cholesterol management. Blend into green shakes as a direct Mankai substitute.
5. Legumes & Plant Proteins (e.g., lentils, chickpeas, peas) For the protein/fiber combo Mankai offers—human studies show high-plant-protein diets selectively reduce visceral fat.
6. Other Promising Options
   • Pistachios: Recent trials link them to visceral fat reduction via protein and healthy fats.
   • Rosehip extract: One RCT showed abdominal VAT decreases (though less studied).
   • Omega-3-rich plants (flaxseeds, chia): Support inflammation reduction and fat metabolism.

How to Implement (Similar to Mankai Shakes)

Replace or enhance your meals with a daily "green" routine:

• Morning/afternoon → 3–4 cups green tea.
• Snack → Handful of walnuts + berries.
• Evening shake/soup → Blend spinach/kale, berries, legumes (e.g., pea protein powder), and flaxseeds.

This mimics the polyphenol/fiber boost from the green Mediterranean diet (which doubled VAT loss vs. standard versions) without needing Mankai. Effects are best with calorie control, exercise, and low red/processed meat.

No single food matches Mankai exactly, but combining these (especially walnuts + green tea + greens) gets close based on the same trial data—and at a fraction of the cost. Track waist circumference for progress, and chat with your doctor about adding concentrated sources (e.g., EGCG supplements) if needed.

Latest position stand via the International Society of Sports Nutrition covers nutri for weight loss. Below are the essential points, reading the full text is highly recommended:

"International Society of Sports Nutrition position stand: diets for body weight reduction"

Volume 23, 2026

ABSTRACT

The International Society of Sports Nutrition (ISSN) has developed an official position on diets for body weight reduction. This critical analysis of the literature is intended to provide a scientific foundation for practitioners, coaches, and trainees regarding the effects of the major diet types in adults who are generally healthy, physically active, and/or athletic, while drawing from clinical research in those with overweight/obesity, when relevant. This position stand does not address acute dehydration-based weight cutting, pharmacotherapy (i.e. GLP-1RAs), or bariatric surgery. The following 15 points constitute the Position Statement of the Society; the Research Committee has approved them.

1) Diets for body weight reduction can be broadly categorized by the magnitude of the energy deficit, linearity of the deficit, and macronutrient composition. These factors need to be tailored to individual preferences, tolerances, and goals.

2) Very-low-energy diets (<800 kcal/day) and low-energy diets (800–1200 kcal/day) produce greater short-term weight loss but lack long-term advantages over less aggressive energy restrictions, such as calorie-controlled diets. These aggressive diets may increase lean mass loss, although adequate protein intake and resistance training may mitigate this risk. Caution is warranted about insufficiencies in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other nutrients.

3) The evidence at-large shows a lack of differential effects between intermittent fasting variants (alternate-day fasting, time-restricted eating, and twice-weekly fasting) and continuous energy restriction on anthropometric outcomes, although macronutrient quality plays an independent role in optimizing body composition and metabolic health.

4) Intra-day meal frequency (as opposed to total daily nutrition) does not tend to crucially influence body weight and body fat reduction. Meal frequency may be individualized flexibly; no lower or upper limits can universally be prescribed to optimize outcomes. However, in physically active and athletic populations, distributing protein across at least three protein-rich meals (or eating occasions) per day may optimize lean mass retention and performance during sustained energy deficits.

5) Resistance training and sufficient protein intake are indispensable mitigators of lean mass loss in a sustained caloric deficit, regardless of the diet type or variant. Total daily protein is of primary importance; specific distribution of the constituent doses is a secondary concern.

6) For the general population, a daily protein intake of 1.2–1.6 g/kg BW is appropriate for supporting total body weight and fat loss, physical activity, and imparting benefits to musculoskeletal and cardiometabolic health.

7) Daily protein intakes ranging 1.6–2.2 g/kg BW combined with resistance training may optimize muscle anabolism, while higher intakes of 1.9–3.2 g/kg BW can maximize lean mass retention in lean, resistance-trained individuals sustaining hypocaloric conditions.

The dietary carbohydrate‒fat proportion can be individualized to personal preference for the goal of weight loss, since the range of ketogenic to low-fat diets performs similarly.

9) Ketogenic diets are effective at bodyweight and body fat reduction, but they also tend to decrease fat-free mass to a greater degree than higher-carbohydrate comparators, particularly in shorter trials where glycogen and total body water shifts can influence estimates.

10) Adaptations to weight loss can be physical, physiological, and/or behavioral, and converge toward reducing energy expenditure to fulfill the body’s drive toward neutralizing disruptions to homeostasis imposed by the caloric deficit.

11) Adaptive thermogenesis is a reduction in resting energy expenditure beyond that predicted by changes in body composition. It can occur in response to hypocaloric conditions and weight loss, but it is not an inevitable response, and it may attenuate substantially upon attainment of weight stability.

12) Metabolic adaptations that reduce energy expenditure, including adaptive thermogenesis, and impair gut microbial diversity, can often be attenuated by strategic dietary and exercise programming that foster nutrient-absorption and partitioning, and metabolic flexibility.

13) A multitude of tactics can be implemented to manage and overcome plateaus. However, plateaus are also opportunities/cues to practice maintaining progress made thus far (the ultimate goal is the maintenance of a plateau).

14) Guidance from an interdisciplinary team of health professionals while maintaining social support is recommended for successful weight management.

15) Learning how to prepare home-cooked meals (and plan meals ahead of time through the day) puts dieters in control of their nutritional fate – and in a better position to succeed in managing their body weight and body composition.

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/15502783.2026.2740266?scroll=top&needAccess=true#abstract

bought some h2 tablets and not sure if i am using them right, also wondering if the container matters

TL;DR:

Higher adherence to BHOD was significantly associated with a lower risk of osteoporosis.

BHOD = moderate intake of:

• Eggs

• Poultry — e.g., chicken and turkey

• Fish and other seafood

• Green leafy vegetables — e.g., spinach and kale

• Red and orange vegetables — e.g., carrots and red peppers

• Potatoes

• Margarine

• Tea

• Fruit juice

Info:

"We’re sharing this article early to provide faster access to peer-reviewed, accepted research. It is citable and carries a permanent DOI. This version is subject to further edits and will be replaced automatically by the final Version of Record. All legal disclaimers apply."

Abstract

Existing dietary patterns were not specifically designed to target osteoporosis and lack the precision required for effective prevention. We aimed to develop a Bone Health Optimized Diet (BHOD) that is tailored to more precisely reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Using dietary data from 183,092 UK Biobank (UKB) participants, we combined food–wide association analysis with machine learning to develop the BHOD. We identified 10 important osteoporosis-related food groups and integrated them to construct the BHOD. The protective association was observed between BHOD and the risk of osteoporosis, which was validated in both the UKB validation set and the NHANES population. Furthermore, the BHOD showed broad protective associations with other musculoskeletal disorders, such as rheumatoid arthritis and osteoarthritis. Importantly, high adherence to the BHOD mitigated the negative impact of genetic susceptibility on osteoporosis, with particularly pronounced benefits observed among individuals at high genetic risk. The multi-omics analysis identified multiple biomarkers (7 proteins, 66 metabolites, and 5 inflammatory markers) jointly associated with BHOD and osteoporosis risk, highlighting immune-inflammatory regulation and lipid metabolism as key biological pathways linking diet to bone loss.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41538-026-00963-9

Hi Everyone,

I'm a Virginia Tech Researcher who has used my research into the nutraceutical CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) to build a new kind of nutrition bar. CLA appears to work by burning fat and preserving muscle, and people have been taking it as a supplement for years. It is slow working, but appears consistent (recent meta-analysis of 69 studies confirmed fat loss with improved body parameters, increased lean mass/muscle).

Asbaghi O, Shimi G, Hosseini Oskouie F, et al. The effects of conjugated linoleic acid supplementation on anthropometrics and body composition indices in adults: a systematic review and dose–response meta-analysis. British Journal of Nutrition. 2024;131(3):406-428. doi:10.1017/S0007114523001861

My bars contain 4.68 grams of CLA and are under 200 calories. I truly struggle with weight as well, and wanted something to complement my weight loss journal, and I could not tolerate the large, hard-to-swallow pills.

CLAW Bars (for CLA-Weight Bars) are currently in a pre-launch phase on Kickstarter (with some nice incentives when it launches) and on Shopify for immediate sales. Are you interested in a product like this that might not be a main driver of weight loss, but rather a part of the weight/fat loss journal?

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/goodfamilyfoodsgroup/claw-bar-research-inspired-nutrition-for-everyday-life

https://clawbar.myshopify.com/

Thanks for checking us out!

Debby

Ju, Y., Wright, M., and Good, D.J. (2025) Conjugated Linoleic Acid: a Fatty Acid with Health Benefits, Virginia Cooperative Extension Publication, HNFE-1123P, 1-8. https://www.pubs.ext.vt.edu/HNFE/hnfe-1123/hnfe-1123.html

US Patent application number US-20240238237-A1.