Raspberry Ketones

HealthLine. Raspberry Ketones Do They Really Work? Written by Kris Gunnars, BSc on November 6, 2018 (modified)

Raspberry ketone is a natural substance that gives red raspberries their powerful aroma. This substance is also found in small amounts in other fruits and berries, such as blackberries, cranberries and kiwis.The molecular structure of ketones is very similar to two other molecules, capsaicin — found in chili pepper — and the stimulant synephrine. Studies indicate that these molecules can boost metabolism. Therefore, researchers speculated that raspberry ketones could have the same effect (1, 2). In test-tube studies of fat cells in mice, raspberry ketones (3): Increased fat breakdown — primarily by making the cells more susceptible to the fat-burning hormone norepinephrine and increased release of the hormone adiponectin.

Adiponectin is released by fat cells and may play a role in regulating metabolism and blood sugar levels. People with normal weight have much higher levels of adiponectin than those who are overweight. Levels of this hormone increase when people lose weight (4, 5). Studies demonstrate that people with low adiponectin levels are at a higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease and even heart disease (6, 7). Therefore raising adiponectin levels could help people lose weight and lower the risk of many diseases. Keep in mind that there are natural ways to increase adiponectin that do not involve raspberry ketones. For example, exercise can increase adiponectin levels by 260% in as little as one week. Drinking coffee is also linked to higher levels (8, 9,). However further comprehensive studies in humans are needed before the effects of raspberry ketones on weight can be fully assessed.

Information Data

  1. Alterations of autonomic nervous activity and energy metabolism by capsaicin ingestion during aerobic exercise in healthy menKi Ok Shin 1, Toshio Moritani

  2. Effects of p-synephrine alone and in combination with selected bioflavonoids on resting metabolism, blood pressure, heart rate and self-reported mood changes

    Sidney J Stohs 1, Harry G Preuss, Samuel C Keith, Patti L Keith, Howard Miller, Gilbert R Kaats

  3. Raspberry ketone increases both lipolysis and fatty acid oxidation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes

    Kyoung Sik Park 1

  4. The role of the novel adipocyte-derived hormone adiponectin in human disease

    Juan J Díez 1, Pedro Iglesias

  5. Effect of weight loss on coronary circulation and adiponectin levels in obese women

    Antonino Coppola, Raffaele Marfella, Ludovico Coppola, Ercole Tagliamonte, Dario Fontana, Erminio Liguori, Teresa Cirillo, Maria Cafiero, Silvana Natale, Costantino Astarita

  6. Adiponectin and adiponectin receptors in insulin resistance, diabetes, and the metabolic syndrome

    Takashi Kadowaki,1,2 Toshimasa Yamauchi,1,3 Naoto Kubota,1,2,3 Kazuo Hara,1,2 Kohjiro Ueki,1 and Kazuyuki Tobe1

  7. Adiponectin, obesity, and cardiovascular disease

    Author links open overlay panel Mathias Fasshauer Ralf Paschke Michael Stumvoll

  8. Exercise Increases Adiponectin Levels and Insulin Sensitivity in Humans

    Adamandia D. Kriketos, PHD,  Seng Khee Gan, MBBS, FRACP, Ann M. Poynten, MBBS, FRACP, Stuart M. Furler, PHD, Donald J. Chisholm, MBBS, FRACP and Lesley V. Campbell, MBBS, FRACP

  9. Coffee Consumption Is Associated With Higher Plasma Adiponectin Concentrations in Women With or Without Type 2 Diabetes

    A prospective cohort study

    Catherine J. Williams, MPH1, Jessica L. Fargnoli1, Janice J. Hwang, MD1, Rob M. van Dam, PHD23, George L. Blackburn, MD, PHD4, Frank B. Hu, MD, PHD235 and Christos S. Mantzoros, MD1