Every review on The Well Brew follows the same steps, in the same order. We go slowly on purpose. The aim is to explain what a supplement contains, what the research says, what to watch for and what it really costs, so you can decide calmly before you buy.
Maya Ellison, our Reviews Editor, works through each step. Maya is not a doctor, dietitian, nurse or pharmacist, so this method is built on reading and checking documents, not on clinical judgment.
Two things we never do
- We do not personally lab-test products. We do not send bottles to a lab or test what is inside them. We work from the label, the seller’s published information and independent research.
- We never give scores. No star ratings, no grades for products, no numbers out of 10. A single number hides the details that matter to you. Instead, each review gives pros, cons and who the product may suit.
The review steps
1. Read the full label
We find the supplement facts panel and list each ingredient, its form and its amount per serving. We note the serving size, the servings per bottle and any proprietary blend that shows a total weight without the amount of each part. If the full label is hard to find before checkout, we say so in the review.
2. Compare doses with the research
For each main ingredient, we look up the amounts used in published human studies and set them beside the label. A good ingredient at a tiny dose may do little. We point out when a dose is lower than studied, close to it, or higher than common safety guidance.
3. Grade the evidence
We give each main ingredient an evidence grade, using the table below. The grade is about the ingredient and its research, not about the brand.
4. Check safety
We review known side effects, upper limits and drug interactions using sources such as the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements and the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. We flag groups who should talk to a clinician first, such as people who are pregnant, nursing or taking medication.
5. Work out the real cost
We calculate the price per bottle, per day and per month for each package the seller offers, with shipping included. Bundle deals can look cheap per bottle while asking for a large upfront payment, so we show both views.
6. Read the refund and checkout terms
We read the refund policy and note how long the window is, whether opened bottles count, who pays return shipping and how to start a return. We also look for upsells, auto-ship and subscription boxes at checkout.
7. Hold the marketing up to the evidence
We list the main promises from the sales page and check each one against the research we found. When a claim goes beyond the evidence, the review says so in plain words.
8. Write pros, cons and who it suits
The review closes with clear pros and cons and a short note on who the product may suit and who may want to skip it or ask a clinician first.
Evidence grades
| Grade | What it means | Example kind of evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | Several decent human studies point the same way at doses close to the label. Results are fairly consistent, though not proven beyond doubt. | More than one randomized controlled trial in adults, or a review that pools several trials. |
| Limited | Some human research exists, but it is small, short or mixed. Worth noting, not worth relying on. | One or two small human trials, or trials using a different dose or form than the label. |
| Weak | Little or no direct human evidence for the claim being made. | Lab dish or animal studies, traditional use, or the seller’s own unpublished claims. |
| Avoid | There is a real safety concern, or the evidence suggests the ingredient does not help for this use. | Official safety warnings, reports of serious side effects, or good trials showing no benefit. |
Grades can change when new research comes out. When that happens, we update the review and its date.
Sources we lean on
- Published human studies and research reviews.
- Government health sources, including the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, NCCIH and the FDA.
- The product label, official website, FAQ and refund policy.
Keeping reviews current
Prices, formulas and refund terms change. We recheck reviews on a regular schedule and whenever a reader tells us something has changed. See our editorial policy for how updates and corrections work, and our affiliate disclosure for how we earn money.