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Raspberry Ketone

Raspberry ketone is a molecule marketed as a fat burning compound. Oral doses of this supplement are not effective.

Our evidence-based analysis on raspberry ketone features 20 unique references to scientific papers.

Kamal Patel
Research analysis led by and reviewed by the Examine team.
Last Updated:

Summary of Raspberry Ketone

Primary information, health benefits, side effects, usage, and other important details

Raspberry ketone is the compound responsible for many flavoring and aromatic qualities of cosmetics and processed foods.

When present in high doses, raspberry ketone can exert fat burning effects on various areas of the fat cell. These effects may be similar to those of ephedrine and synephrine.

It should be noted that all evidence for the effects of raspberry ketone has only been observed in vitro (in a test tube). Though researchers are able to raise the concentrations of ketones in a single cell during studies, these same concentrations cannot be replicated in the human body, particularly through oral supplementation.

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How to Take

Recommended dosage, active amounts, other details

There is no human evidence for the effects of raspberry ketones. Studies on rats have used a dosage range of .545-2.18g/kg, which correlates to a human estimated dose of 80-340mg/kg for humans. This dose is very high compared to other fat burning compounds, so for that reason the standard supplemental dose of raspberry ketones for humans is in the 100-200mg range. There is no solid evidence for the effectiveness of the doses listed below. Rat dosages correlate to the following human doses:

  • 870-3,700mg for a 150lb person

  • 1,100-5,000mg for a 200lb person

  • 1,500-6,200mg for a 250lb person

There is no human evidence for the effectiveness of raspberry ketones. Raspberry ketones cannot be concentrated in the human body the same way they are concentrated during studies done outside the body, on single cells.

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Human Effect Matrix

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The Human Effect Matrix summarizes human studies to tell you what effects Raspberry Ketone has on your body, how much evidence there is, and how strong these effects are.

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Grade Level of Evidence
Robust research conducted with repeated double-blind clinical trials
Multiple studies where at least two are double-blind and placebo controlled
Single double-blind study or multiple cohort studies
Uncontrolled or observational studies only
Level of Evidence
? The amount of high quality evidence. The more evidence, the more we can trust the results.
Outcome Magnitude of effect
? The direction and size of the supplement's impact on each outcome. Some supplements can have an increasing effect, others have a decreasing effect, and others have no effect.
Consistency of research results
? Scientific research does not always agree. HIGH or VERY HIGH means that most of the scientific research agrees.
Notes
grade-d
Hair Regrowth
Minor - See study
May induce hair growth when topically applied
grade-d
Skin Elasticity
Minor - See study
Appears to benefit the skin when topically applied as part of a cream

Studies Excluded from Consideration

  • Confounded with the inclusion of other fat burners[1]

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Things to Note

Is a Form Of

Primary Function:

Also Known As

4-(4-hydroxyphenyl) butan-2-one, p-hydroxybenzyl acetone

  • Raspberry ketone is said to be non-stimulatory, but this has not been properly addressed by research

  • Raspberry ketone has a slightly artificial raspberry aroma and taste

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Click here to see all 20 references.

This page is regularly updated, to include the most recently available clinical trial evidence.

Each member of our research team is required to have no conflicts of interest, including with supplement manufacturers, food companies, and industry funders. The team includes nutrition researchers, registered dietitians, physicians, and pharmacists. We have a strict editorial process.

This page features 20 references. All factual claims are followed by specifically-applicable references. Click here to see the full set of research information and references for Raspberry Ketone.

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