The Evident Reviews™ Trust Index 2026
We scored 39 brands across 8 health categories on transparency, lab testing, and regulatory compliance. The biggest names scored the worst.
The headline
The most-funded brands in functional health score an average of 35 out of 100 on an independent transparency audit — 25 points below indie comparison brands. The correlation between funding and trust is r = −0.65 (p < 0.001).
Citable findings
Copy-paste ready. Each finding traces to a primary source document.
“Unicorn-tier health brands averaged a Trust Score of 35 out of 100. Indie comparison brands averaged 60. The 25-point gap is statistically significant (r = –0.65, p < 0.001).”
Source: Composite finding across 39 brands in 8 categories
“Zero of 21 unicorn-tier brands scored “Trustworthy” or “Acceptable.” Every unicorn fell in the Concerning, Deficit, or Severe Failure bands.”
Source: Trust band distribution analysis
“Consumer Reports found Naked Mass Gainer contained 7.7 μg of lead per serving — 1,570% of the concern level. The brand is literally named “Naked” for its transparency positioning.”
Source: Consumer Reports, October 2025
“PepsiCo acquired Poppi for $1.95 billion. The acquisition closed May 19, 2025. The court approved an $8.9 million class action settlement four days later, on May 23.”
Source: PepsiCo press release; Cobbs v. VNGR Beverage LLC settlement
“RYZE Superfoods voluntarily withdrew all five core health claims under pressure from the BBB’s National Advertising Division — the functional equivalent of admitting it could not substantiate a single marketed benefit.”
Source: BBB National Programs NAD Case #7492, September 2025
At a glance
Highest Trust Scores
Lowest Trust Scores
Shareable infographic
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The most-funded health brands scored the worst.
0 of 21 unicorn brands scored “Trustworthy” or “Acceptable.” Corporate acquisition does not improve trust scores.
Downloadable assets
About Evident Health
Evident Health is an independent product review publisher that tests, scores, and reviews health products using original research, lab testing, and regulatory analysis. The Trust Index is our flagship annual report.
Disclosure: Evident Health LLC owns Sleep Karma, a bamboo-silk mouth tape brand. Mouth tape is intentionally excluded from the Trust Index to avoid scoring our own category.
Alec Hess, Co-Founder
Alec Hess is co-founder of Evident Health and Sleep Karma. He oversees editorial direction, research methodology, and partner relationships. Available for interviews, quotes, and background briefings on the Trust Index findings.
Embargo & contact
Embargo: This report is available for review under embargo until [EMBARGO DATE]. Please do not publish findings before the embargo lifts. If you need an exception, contact us.
Exclusives: We can offer category-specific exclusives (e.g., the electrolytes findings to a fitness outlet, the protein findings to a bodybuilding outlet) on a first-come basis. Contact us to discuss.
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