Dr. Oz has made headlines by saying that Raspberry Ketones are a “fat burner in a bottle.”
Obviously when someone like Oz makes a statement like this, people listen. Of course the kicker here is that you have to get the ketones in supplement form. He explains:
“Raspberry ketone is the primary aroma compound of red raspberries. This compound regulates adiponectin, a protein used by the body to regulate metabolism. Raspberry ketone causes the fat within your cells to get broken up more effectively, helping your body burn fat faster. The recommended dose is 100mg per day. To get the same benefit from the whole fruit, you’d have to consume 90 pounds of raspberries.”
A recent study in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism showed that most natural weight loss supplements do a lousy job helping people burn fat.
While it may be true that these ketones help you burn fat, if you have a high level of sugar in your diet, there is absolutely no way that these will help you burn fat. Period.
You have to realize that most of us are emotional eaters- and as such we justify, justify, justify. So the average person will rush online, buy a bottle of these ketones and go to town with their eating. And then wonder why the miracle drug did not work.
You really are better off eating raspberries themselves. Here is a rundown of why raspberries are so good.
First, they are very high in fiber. People don’t get enough fiber in their diet according to every measure imaginable. One cup of raspberries have 8 grams of dietary fiber. Additionally, raspberries have an array of micronutrients which are highly associated with better health. According to PEERtrainer, raspberries contain the following:
Anthocyanins
Anthocyanins are the flavonoids responsible for the red color of raspberries and blue color of blueberries and they are powerful anti-inflammatory agents. Red raspberries contain about 80mg anthocyanins per cup, and if you can find them, black raspberries have 725mg anthocyanins per cup. That’s over double the anthocyanins blueberries have!
Catechins
Catechins are the phenols found famously in green tea, but raspberries have some too. One cup of raspberries has a little over 1mg of catechins.
Quercetin
Quercetin is a flavonoid found in onions, garlic, and also raspberries. Quercetin has anti-inflammatory effects and is also a potent anti-carcinogen, helping to prevent cancer. Raspberries have 15mg quercetin per cup.
Raspberry Ketones
Raspberry ketones are the simple phenols which give raspberries their aroma, but they have a powerful effect on your body’s ability to burn fat! Raspberry ketones “turn on” lipolysis, the process through which our body burns fat for energy, and the result is that more fat is burned as energy and less is stored. The ketone content of a cup of raspberries is 100-400mcg.
Ellagic Acid
Ellagic acid is a phenol found in berries and certain nuts which has antioxidant and anti cancer effects. Raspberries contain 4mg ellagic acid per cup.