I love raspberries – they add a great tart flavor to smoothies, desserts and jams. But lately I’ve been hearing a lot of buzz about something new that raspberries can do. Specifically something that raspberry ketones can do.
What in the world are raspberry ketones? Let’s start there.
You know that sweet, pungent and unmistakable aroma of fresh, red raspberries? You can thank raspberry ketones for that. They are the phenolic compounds responsible for the fruit’s pleasant scent. In the past, raspberry ketones have been used as a natural fragrance and flavor additive in foods and beauty products, but thanks to some new research, they’ve taken on a whole new role.
In at least one animal study, raspberry ketones were shown to influence the breakdown of fats within the body. Further research is needed to confirm the effects of raspberry ketones on human fat cells, so it’s too early to tell if these little berries are the secret weapon everyone’s been searching for.
The good thing about raspberry ketones is that they’re sourced from a natural fruit, so they’re free of stimulants and other scary ingredients.
But before you reach for a big bowl of raspberries, remember that fruit naturally contains sugar and calories that can throw your diet off track. Raspberry ketone supplements can provide an alternative to eating bowl after bowl of berries. Safety first — like with any dietary supplement, remember to consult with your healthcare professional before giving it a shot.