I’m not proud of how many of my meals are built around convenience. As much as I’d love to “eat the rainbow” in every sitting, sometimes a pack of frozen Trader Joe’s soup dumplings or microwaveable mac n’ cheese is all I can swing after a long day. That’s why wellness shots always catch my eye in the grocery store. A day’s worth of fruits and veggies packed into a shot glass’s worth of juice? I can get behind that—if they actually work.
So, when I was offered the opportunity to test Dose Daily—a sleek internet wellness brand with a lineup of functional tinctures tailored to support immunity, reduce inflammation, and more—I figured this was my chance. And with the liver blend specifically promising support for the body’s naturally detoxing organ (something I would need in the middle of a very festive season of family events and holiday parties…), I committed to giving it a real, weeks-long run.
Now, before I get into it, I will preface this review by saying my liver was fine to begin with. And if my liver were to give me issues, I would go to a doctor (as you should too!) before ever turning to a wellness supplement. “If your liver is already functioning well and your liver enzyme levels are normal, there's no reason to take a supplement like this in the first place—plain and simple,” says Maddie Pasquariello, MS, RDN, a New York-based dietitian and nutritionist. “If you're already healthy, continue making the choices you're already making to keep your liver in good health, and for those who do have liver damage, there is no clinical evidence to suggest this product will help.”
Below, Pasquariello breaks down some of the benefits you can realistically expect from a supplement like Daily Dose, her concerns, and everything else you need to know—and I share my personal experience of drinking Dose for a month.
How can Dose Daily support your health?
Dose for Your Liver is positioned as a concentrated, nutrition-forward mini drink meant to help support the body’s natural detoxification processes. The ingredient list leans heavily on plants traditionally linked to liver function like milk thistle, dandelion root, turmeric, ginger, citrus—plus a handful of antioxidants that are marketed as “liver-loving.”
“Each of these ingredients can offer benefits when included as part of an overall healthy diet,” says Pasquariello. Curcumin (the main active in turmeric) for instance, has been studied for its anti-inflammatory properties, but only in specific, controlled doses. Ginger can make you feel invigorated and has been linked to helping alleviate nausea and some types of GI distress. Dandelion greens are nutritious the same way any bitter leafy green is. And milk thistle—which is more supplement than supermarket staple—has mixed evidence on its effects on liver enzyme levels.
But when it comes to using these botanicals to “optimize” or “cleanse” the liver of an otherwise healthy person? There’s no strong evidence. “No single ingredient in isolation, no matter how healthy, will cure disease, heal an organ, cleanse a liver, or make you young again,” Pasquariello says. “Liver health comes from a variety of lifestyle and diet choices.”
Dose also uses what’s known as a proprietary blend, which means consumers have no idea how much of anything is actually inside. To an RD, that’s a red flag. “Supplements like this often contain ingredients in such high quantities it becomes dangerous…or in quantities that are far too low to exert any benefits,” Pasquariello explains. “Or in amounts that are a total mystery, as is the case here.”
According to Pasquariello, more concentrated versions of health-boosting ingredients are not always better. So if you're interested in exploring the benefits of turmeric, dandelion, or ginger, you might want to start by cooking with them.
Who might not be a fit, according to RDs?
The bigger issue, Pasquariello stresses, is that supplements like this often get used to compensate for bad habits. “The ultimate pitfall is that people will use supplements like this to overcompensate for a poor diet, lack of exercise, or habits that damage their health,” she says. And because the brand points to its “clinical studies” in its marketing, suggesting shifts in liver enzymes like AST and ALT, she worries that some users could be lulled into a false sense of progress. (The study in question was commissioned by Dose and included a small pool of 30 participants with liver issues.)
For anyone experiencing real liver issues, using this kind of supplement instead of seeking proper medical support could delay proper diagnosis or treatment, Pasquariello says. So if you suspect something is off with your liver? “Seek medical guidance, not a supplement," she advises.
My experience with Dose
I’ve been starting my day with “Dose For Your Liver” for a month now. Here’s what my experience has been like.
Cost and ordering
Ordering your “doses” is easy and can be done entirely online. There are currently two options available in terms of sizes: two-ounce bottles (which are sold in packs of 24) and larger 16-ounce bottles, which are sold either in packs of three or six. If you order any of the 16-ounce packs, you’ll receive a free two-ounce shot glass with your order that makes portioning a breeze.
Once you’ve selected your quantity, you can subscribe to receive a delivery every 24 days or pay for a one-time order. If you subscribe, you’ll save 30%, making it $63 (compared to $90 for a one-time purchase). That comes out to about $2.63 per dose vs. $3.75 per dose, respectfully.
I opted for a one-time order of the three-pack, which arrived at my door in a neat cardboard box. Inside were the bottles; they’re shelf-stable until you open them. Then they need to be refrigerated.
Taste
It’s delicious! It’s like creamy orange juice. As someone sensitive to ginger's taste, I was worried it would be overpowering, but the ginger is mellow compared to other juices I've tried. The overall flavor was definitely heavy on the citrus, which makes sense given its ingredient list. The texture is thicker than other juices I’ve sampled but not milkshake-thick. It’s velvety smooth, not gritty or chunky. Honestly, it's a very tasty way to kick off my morning—I feel invigorated the moment it hits my lips.
(Editor's note: I can confirm this was Francesca's experience. After sipping her first bottle, she texted me, “Dose is actually delicious.”)
Benefits
I enjoy the ritual of waking up in the morning and starting my day with something healthy (or something that at least tastes healthy). I do feel more energized after I take it. Maybe it’s my liver churning out all the toxins in my blood, or maybe (more realistically) it’s the refreshing taste of ginger and turmeric tricking my brain into thinking I have more energy. Either way, I’ve felt great since starting drinking it, like I’m a smidge less tired than I normally am at the end of the day.
The bottom line
Dose For Your Liver is definitely convenient and delicious. For a busy gal like me who doesn’t always have the time to eat her fruits and veggies, it’s an easy way to give my body a quick boost. Now, it’s probably not doing much in terms of my liver’s overall function—but I didn’t really need liver support to begin with. When all I have is a few seconds to spare each morning and don’t feel like whipping up my own smoothie or cold-pressed juice, Dose gives me the pick-me-up I need.