Raspberry Ketone Weight Loss Hype Not Substantiated

Raspberry ketone (RK) is an aromatic, phenolic compound [4-(4-hydroxyphenyl) butan-2-one] that imparts scent and flavor to raspberries and to some lesser degree in blackberries, cranberries, and kiwis. It has also been used in cosmetics, soaps, candies, and processed foods and beverages as a flavorant, and as a scenting agent in perfume (Guichard 1982).

Extraction of this compound is inefficient and expensive (Beekwilder et al. 2007), so it is more commonly synthesized in an industrial process f…