With more than 40% of U.S. adults reporting weight gain during the pandemic, many turned to diets or supplements for weight loss support. One supplement, raspberry ketone, is widely used as a food flavoring substance and has grown in popularity in recent years for weight loss. EN examines the scientific support and safety for this supplement.
Background
Raspberry ketone (RK) is an aromatic compound naturally found in many foods, most notably in red raspberries and other berry fruits. Due to seasonal limitations and the expense to extract naturally occurring RK, most commercially available RK is chemically synthesized for use as a flavoring agent in processed foods and cosmetics. RK first entered the dietary supplement scene approximately a decade ago when it was featured on a national talk show for its “fat burning” potential….