None other than Dr. Mehmet Oz proclaimed raspberry ketones the “#1 miracle in a bottle for burning your fat,” and health food stores drained their inventories of the sweet-smelling pills. So far, the evidence for the fat-burning features of raspberry ketones comes from animal studies by researchers in Japan and Korea. In both, mice fed a high fat diet seemed to avoid gaining weight because the ketones appeared to boost levels of a hormone that helps to melt away the fat that otherwise would have accumulated. A 100 mg daily dose to fight fat is the equivalent of 90 pounds of fresh raspberries. Most experts remain skeptical about whether burning fat this way is realistic or safe, but manufacturers don’t need to worry: the Japanese research also showed that applying the ketones to bald spots helps some men to grow hair, and promotes younger looker skin for women.
TREND TRIGGER: Mention on Dr. Oz Show
CLAIM: Burns fat
IS IT FOR YOU? Hard to say, since the requisite studies in overweight or obese people haven’t been conducted yet. But raspberries are a good source of cancer-fighting antioxidants, so you might enjoy other benefits from the supplements beyond a slimmer waistline.