Disclaimer: None of the information in this article constitutes medical advice, and is just the opinion of the writer(s). We recommend that patients follow their doctor’s guidance in regard to supplemental oxygen.
Boost Oxygen is a supplemental oxygen product that is inhaled through a can, and was featured on Shark Tank. The brand claims that their product provides “all-natural respiratory support” and that it’s used by athletes and by those experiencing poor air quality, among other groups.
But is supplemental oxygen safe? Is it shown in clinical trials to have any health benefits? How do real Boost Oxygen users rate and describe the effects? And what does a respiratory therapist have to say about this product?
In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more, as we review clinical studies to give our take on whether or not supplemental oxygen is safe and health-promoting.
We'll also highlight some questionable health claims on the Boost Oxygen website, feature unsponsored customer reviews and share a video from a respiratory therapist discussing Boost Oxygen.
Does Supplemental O2 Improve Health?
Supplemental oxygen is typically administered in medical settings to treat severely ill patients, such as those with advanced respiratory infections or pulmonary diseases.
We cannot identify a single clinical trial showing that supplemental oxygen benefits otherwise healthy adults.
A clinical trial published in the Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise journal examined the effects of supplemental oxygen for recovery in athletes, and reported no benefit.
A 1989 clinical trial found similar results: athletes who received supplemental oxygen experienced no improvements in recovery or exercise performance.
As medical research documents, supplemental oxygen is useful when a patient is experiencing low levels of oxygen in blood. This should be resolved with medical treatment and monitoring, not with a canister purchased online.
Put simply, we do not understand the purpose or value of this product whatsoever, and the product quality concerns us.
As Boost Oxygen’s own website details, medical grade oxygen is over 99% pure oxygen, while Boost Oxygen is only 95% pure oxygen and is categorized as “recreational” oxygen.
Again – why does anyone need “recreational” oxygen? We’re truly confused by this brand.
Questionable Health Claims
On the “Information” section of Boost Oxygen’s website, the brand publishes blog posts suggesting that their products can be effective for treating a number of health conditions.
One blog article, title shown above, suggests with zero medical evidence or citations that supplemental oxygen can soothe inflamed airways resulting in easier breathing, and “makes sense” for those with flu or cold.
This is unsafe, and this is a disease claim, which is regulated.
We urge the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to investigate these claims because it’s concerning that a brand is making entirely unsubstantiated disease claims about their product.
In another blog article, Boost Oxygen suggests, without any medical citations, that “supplemental oxygen like Boost Oxygen” makes sense for those experiencing shortness of breath.
We would urge patients experiencing shortness of breath to report these symptoms to a doctor or urgent care facility, because this can be a sign of serious health conditions.
In the same article, the brand states that “there is only 21% oxygen in the air we breathe,” and “the majority is useless 78% nitrogen.”
We don’t understand what Boost Oxygen is suggesting by describing nitrogen as "useless." Humans evolved over millions of years breathing air just fine, without requiring portable canisters purchased online.
We hope that Boost Oxygen will remove these uncited health claims from their website and blog, and we consider this to be a huge red flag about the brand.
Real People Try Boost Oxygen
A YouTube creator named Alphonso Duncan used the Boost Oxygen device while hiking at a high elevation:
A TikTok creator named Daphne claims to have experienced improved energy after using Boost Oxygen:
@daphnunez so it felt like taking a stimulant aka a rush of energy and focus. oxygen boost for the win #biohacking #adhd #naturalremedies ♬ original sound - Daphne
What’s in Boost Oxygen Flavors? No One Knows
Boost Oxygen not only sells canned oxygen, but also sells “flavored” versions of canned oxygen.
Again, why does someone need flavored oxygen? We’re unsure.
But what concerns us is that at the time of updating this article, whatever chemical compounds are used to create the flavor or scent are not listed on the product pages on the brand's website, which is a consumer safety issue.
The product is sold in various flavors such as Pink Grapefruit, Menthol-Eucalyptus, Peppermint and more.
The lungs are a highly sensitive organ and we believe that directly inhaling undefined flavoring compounds would be a really bad idea.
We urge the brand to publish information on their product pages about how these flavors are created.
Respiratory Therapist on Boost Oxygen
One of the most popular YouTube reviews of Boost Oxygen from a medical expert is from a Respiratory Therapist (RT) named Jimmy McKanna.
He reviews whether Boost Oxygen actually delivers 95% oxygen as the label claims, and whether he thinks the product will have any benefits:
Customers Rate Boost Oxygen
Amazon is a better resource for unbiased customer reviews than a brand's website in our opinion.
Boost Oxygen has been reviewed over 14,000 times on Amazon, and has an average customer review rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars at the time of updating this article.
A top positive review from a verified purchaser comes from a user named “J. Carle” who gave the product a 5/5 rating, and claims it was effective against altitude sickness:
“My mother came to Denver from out of town and did not do well with the high altitude. She was very sluggish. The oxygen cans helped.”
A top negative review from a verified purchaser is written by a user named “N~~~B” who gave the product a 1/5 rating, because they performed an at-home test with unfavorable results:
“I sprayed the oxygen bottle at the flame on the long handle lighter. It blew out the flame completely. Spraying oxygen on a flame should increase the flame, not blow it out. I did these tests on both bottles. And performed these tests over the sink just in case. This is an utter scam. I am out $35 for two useless empty bottles."
Boost Oxygen currently has an average review rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars on Facebook.
Where to Get the Best Price
Boost Oxygen is sold at a variety of online retailers.
Here's a price breakdown for a one-time purchase for a 2-pack of the Large size at the time of updating this article (to be clear, we do not recommend this product and this is published as a convenience for consumers intent on purchasing it):
Brand website: $35.98 (free shipping, link)
Walmart: $30.15 (free shipping, third-party seller, link)
Amazon: $27.94 (free shipping, third-party seller, link to Amazon listing)
Amazon currently has a 22% lower price than the brand's website, but both the Amazon and Walmart listings are from third-party sellers.
This suggests that it may be safer to purchase this product directly from the manufacturer.
Boost Oxygen Pros and Cons
Here are the pros and cons of Boost Oxygen in our opinion:
Pros:
- Mostly positive online reviews
Cons:
- We can't find clinical evidence supporting "recreational" oxygen
- Questionable health claims on brand's website
- Unclear who this product is for
- Unclear what flavoring ingredients are used
- Unclear if flavoring ingredients are safe to be inhaled
