David Beckham's longevity supplement, IM8, costs £89 a month. Is it worth it? The market for supplements promising longevity is booming, valued at over $10.7bn in 2024. IM8, co-founded by Sir David Beckham, launched in 2024 and reported $100m in revenue in its first year. Each sachet contains 92 ingredients, including vitamins, digestive enzymes, electrolytes, and adaptogens, alongside vegetable, tea, and mushroom powders. But does it offer more health benefits than a high-street multivitamin? We asked the experts.
What is IM8?
IM8 is an all-in-one daily supplement in powder form, designed to replace other supplements. It's added to water to create a drink with a berry-like taste. Endorsed by tennis champion Aryna Sabalenka and a former NASA chief scientist, IM8 focuses on dose transparency, setting itself apart from competitors.
How does IM8 work?
Supplements provide extra nutrients in concentrated form, which the stomach breaks down. IM8 works similarly, but its makers recommend taking it with a meal. Some ingredients are better supported by clinical evidence than others.
Superfood powders
Dried and powdered foods make up most of an IM8 sachet. Beetroot, carrot, spinach, blueberry, turmeric root, and tart cherry powder are included, linked to reduced inflammation and improved sleep. Green tea leaf powder is also present, linked to brain, heart, and metabolic health.
Electrolytes
IM8 contains a 'hydra electrolytes complex'. Electrolytes help the body stay hydrated and are lost through sweat and urination. Most people replenish them through diet, but athletes may use them for performance and recovery. A banana and salt on breakfast eggs are sufficient alternatives.
MSM
MSM (methylsulfonylmethane) is a longevity-boosting ingredient in IM8, essential for building keratin, collagen, and skin elasticity. It's included at a dose supported by research.
Vitamins
IM8 contains a full range of vitamins found in a multivitamin, with no harm in taking one. The NHS recommends vitamin D during winter and folic acid for pregnant women. Vitamin B12 is advised for vegans.
Digestive enzymes
IM8 includes digestive enzymes, prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics to support the gut microbiome. Greek yogurt and fermented foods offer a more diverse range of bacteria at a lower cost.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha is an adaptogen in IM8, helping the body adapt to stress and fatigue. It's effective in reducing stress and anxiety, but the included amounts fall short of clinical trial doses.
CoQ10
IM8 contains antioxidant compounds like CoQ10, which neutralises free radicals linked to ageing and illnesses. CoQ10 supports heart health and reduces migraines, but it's difficult to consume enough through diet alone.
NMN and NAD+
NMN is another compound in IM8 linked to improved health in trials, but the evidence for its role in boosting NAD+ is less robust.
Verdict: Is it worth taking IM8?
IM8 is best seen as a multivitamin with longevity-supporting ingredients, not a life-extending tool. It provides MSM and CoQ10 at clinical doses, but buying them separately and eating a better breakfast could be more cost-effective.
