When it comes to dietary supplements, there are countless options available on the market. However, two of the most popular and well-established supplements around us are Boost and Horlicks.
Both supplements are developed to provide essential vitamins and minerals to help support overall health and wellness.
But when it comes to choosing one, which is the better choice for you? Boost or Horlicks?
Short answer: Horlicks is a better choice than Boost due to higher protein, low sugar, and more affordable price. It also has sugar-free options and multiple flavors, while Boost only has chocolate flavor.
In this post, I will take a closer look at both supplements, comparing their ingredients, nutritional value, health benefits, and price.
By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of which is the best supplement choice for your specific needs.
So let’s start.
Also read: Bournvita Vs Horlicks: Which One Is The Better Health Drink?
What is Boost?
Boost is a well-known brand of sports and nutrition drinks in India.
It is renowned for its decades of inspiring children to tackle sporting challenges with determination, hard work, and improved stamina.
It has always been associated with some of the biggest names in cricket, including Kapil Dev, Sachin Tendulkar, Mahendra Singh Dhoni, and Virat Kohli.
Boost is a malt-based drink that claims it is clinically proven to enhance stamina three times and is fortified with 17 essential vitamins and minerals.
It is designed to fit the nutritional requirements of 6 to 18 year olds.
Ingredients in Boost?
The key ingredients that you would find in Boost include:
- Cereal extract(barley, wheat, millet)
- Sugar
- Milk solids
- Maltodextrin
- Cocoa powder
- Wheat gluten
- Natural color(INS 150c)
- Acidity regulators[INS 500(ii), INS 501(ii)]
- Edible iodized salt
- Emulsifiers(INS 412)
- Vitamins and minerals
- Nature identical flavors
What is Horlicks?
Horlicks have been a renowned supplement around us for over a century. It was developed in the United States in 1873 by two pharmacists, James Horlick and William Horlick.
The Horlicks soon found its way to India, where it became popular. It is currently one of the most widely consumed supplements, with a market share of over 45%.
Horlicks claims it is clinically proven to make kids taller, stronger, sharper and improve immunity.
It comes in various flavors that cater to a wide range of age groups.
Ingredients in Horlicks
The key ingredients that you would find in Horlicks (chocolate flavor) include:
- Wheat flour
- Barley(malted)
- Sugar
- Milk solids
- Cocoa powder
- Natural color(INS 150c)
- Wheat gluten
- Soy protein isolate
- Salt
- Emulsifier(INS 471)
- Acidity regulators[INS 500(ii), INS 501(ii)]
- Vitamins and minerals
- Nature identical flavors
When compared in terms of ingredients, the chocolate flavors of both Boost and Horlicks have almost similar ingredients.
However, if given a choice based on ingredients alone, Boost would be a better choice for mainly two reasons which include
- Boost has barley (29%) and millet (9%) as its main ingredients, whereas Horlicks primarily consists of wheat (30%). Barley and millet have more health benefits compared to wheat.
- Boost uses a higher-quality emulsifier than Horlicks. Emulsifier act as glue for liquids that don’t usually mix, like oil and water, and helps to maintain a smooth and consistent mixture.
Boost vs Horlicks – Flavors
Boost only comes in one flavor, i.e., Chocolate.
Whereas Horlicks come in various flavors such as :
- Chocolate
- Classic malt
- Elaichi
- Kesar badam
Besides these flavors, Horlicks is also available in different variants, such as:
- Junior Horlicks (For toddlers & young kids)
- Horlicks lite (badam & regular malt)
- Women’s plus (caramel, chocolate)
- Diabetes plus (vanilla)
- Mother’s plus (vanilla, kesar)
- Protein plus (vanilla, chocolate)
This means that choosing Horlicks provides a wider range of flavors and variants to meet different needs.
Boost vs Horlicks – Nutritional comparison
Calories
Boost: 369 per 100g
Horlicks: 370 per 100g
The calorie content of Boost and Horlicks can vary based on your chosen flavor. If the chocolate flavor is chosen, both have nearly the same calorie content.
A serving of 20g (4-5 teaspoons) of Boost has approximately 73 calories, while Horlicks contains around 74 calories.
However, not only the quantity of calories is important, but also the quality of those calories.
Boost contains 73 calories, 28 of which are from sugar and 6 from protein. In contrast, Horlicks contains 74 calories, 24 of which are from sugar and 8 from protein.
Horlicks has fewer calories from sugar and more calories from protein than boost, therefore, it is better in terms of calorie quality.
Fats
Boost: 2.5g per 100g
Horlicks: 2g per 100g
When it comes to fat, both Boost and Horlicks are not significant sources.
Boost has 0.5g of fat per serving, while Horlicks has 0.4g of fat.
Carbohydrates
Boost: 80g per 100g
Horlicks: 78g per 100g
Both Boost and Horlicks are high in carbohydrates, which are the body’s primary energy source.
Boost contains 16g of carbs per serving in the form of sugar, dietary fiber, and starch, while Horlicks includes 15g of carbs in the form of only sugar and starch.
There is no dietary fiber in Horlicks(chocolate), while Boost contains a small amount of fiber (0.4g per serving).
Sugar
Boost: 35g per 100g
Horlicks: 30g per 100g
Sugar is one of the most important factors when choosing between Boost and Horlicks.
If compared the chocolate flavors, there is no significant difference in sugar, with Boost containing 7g of sugar per serving and Horlicks containing 6g.
However, Horlicks offers sugar-free options such as Horlicks Lite, Women’s Plus, Mother Plus, and Diabetes Plus, while Boost does not.
Additionally, Horlicks has a special variant called Junior Horlicks, which has only 1g of sugar per 20g serving, making it a better option for toddlers and young children.
So, if you need a supplement that provides essential nutrients while limiting sugar, Horlicks is the better choice.
Protein
Boost: 7.5g per 100g
Horlicks: 10g per 100g
Protein is one of the essential nutrients to pay attention to while choosing supplements, as it helps in muscle growth and development.
When comparing Boost and Horlicks, Horlicks has a higher protein content. A 20g serving of Boost contains 1.5g of protein, while a 20g serving of Horlicks (chocolate) contains 2g of protein.
In addition, Horlicks also offers a protein-focused variant called Protein Plus, which provides 6.8g of protein per 20g serving.
So, if the protein is your top priority, which it should be, Horlicks is the better choice.
Vitamins and minerals
Both Boost and Horlicks claim to contain a range of vitamins and minerals to support growth and overall health.
When compared, Boost has higher levels of vitamin C, B1, B3, B5, B7, B9, B12, copper, iodine, iron, magnesium, zinc, and sodium. In comparison, Horlicks (chocolate flavor) has higher levels of vitamins A, D, B2, B6, and calcium.
Additionally, Horlicks contains some additional nutrients, such as vitamin E, phosphorus, potassium, chloride, and selenium, which are not present in Boost.
So, when selecting based on vitamins and minerals, choose Boost for higher levels of B vitamins and Horlicks for a wider range of nutrients.
Note that the nutrient value can vary depending on the variant or flavor you choose.
Boost vs Horlicks – Benefits
For muscles development
When it comes to muscle development, protein is the most important macronutrient that you need.
While both Boost and Horlicks contain protein, Horlicks has higher levels.
In addition, the primary source of protein in Boost is milk, while Horlicks(chocolate) is the source of both milk and soy protein.
Furthermore, Horlicks offers a protein plus variant for those seeking high protein in their supplement.
So, if you are looking for a supplement to support muscle building or fulfill protein needs, Horlicks is a better choice.
For strong bones
Strong bones are crucial for supporting the body’s structure and proper movement. Therefore it’s essential to provide them with the proper nutrients.
When it comes to getting strong bones, Horlicks is a better option than Boost as it has higher levels of nutrients such as protein, calcium, and vitamin D.
In addition, Horlicks comes with additional bone-supporting nutrients such as phosphorus and potassium, which are missing in boost.
For better immunity
A strong immune system is crucial as it helps you protect against disease.
While both Boost and Horlicks offer immune-boosting nutrients, Horlicks is better because it contains higher levels of vitamins A, D, and E, protein, and selenium, all known to enhance immunity.
However, nutrients like selenium and vitamin E are missing in Boost.
For quick energy
While both Boost and Horlicks contain plenty of nutrients to provide energy, Boost will give you a quick energy boost.
This is because Boost contains higher levels of sugar(glucose) and ingredient like maltodextrin, which is quickly absorbed by the body and converted into glucose, providing a quick energy source.
So, if you are in need of quick energy, Boost is the ideal choice.
For diabetics
Choosing the right nutritional supplement for diabetics can be challenging, but Horlicks stands out as a top option.
Horlicks comes with a specific flavor designed for people with diabetes called diabetes plus.
It is free of sugar, rich in protein, and loaded with a dual blend of fiber (Fibersol and Nutriose) that helps lower blood lipids and glucose levels.
Additionally, it is loaded with diabetic-friendly nutrients such as magnesium and chromium.
Even though it contains artificial sweetener 950, it is safe for diabetics.
Boost vs Horlicks – Price comparison
Boost is available in 4 sizes 200g, 450g, 500g, and 1kg. At the same time, Horlicks is available in 8 sizes 200g, 400g, 450g, 500g, 750g, 900g, 1kg, and 2kg.
If we compare prices, Horlicks is more price friendly than Boost.
A 500g box of Boost on Amazon is priced at around 279Rs (excluding shipping), whereas a 500g box of Horlicks (chocolate flavor) costs 225Rs, a noticeable difference.
It’s important to note that the prices of different Horlicks variants may differ from Boost.
Final words
Both Boost and Horlicks are packed with many essential vitamins and minerals to supplement your diet.
However, when it comes to choosing one, it largely depends on your specific needs and preferences.
Boost is good if you want high levels of B vitamins and minerals such as iron, magnesium, iodine, and zinc. In addition, it is a good option for those looking for a quick energy boost.
On the other hand, Horlicks is good if you want more protein and less sugar in your supplement. In addition, it comes in sugar-free options and is available in various flavors and caters to a wide range of consumers, such as diabetics, mothers, kids, and womens.
Furthermore, both supplements come in various sizes and prices, but Horlicks is more price friendly.
If I had to pick one, It would be Horlicks because of it high protein content, availability of various flavors and sugar-free options and price friendly.
Remember that supplements, such as Boost and Horlicks, are not intended to replace a diet but rather to supplement it.
I hope that this comparison of Boost vs Horlicks was helpful to you.
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