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Isolated phytochemicals & plant compounds

Raspberry Ketones

4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone

Raspberry ketone is a raspberry aroma compound sold in powders and capsules. Reliable evidence does not establish standalone weight-loss or cognitive benefits, an effective dose, or a useful cycle. Compare the stated ketone amount and full formula; raspberry fruit powder is a different product. Supplement-dose safety remains unscored because human data are inadequate.

Isolated CompoundFood DerivedMostly Animal EvidenceInsufficient EvidenceCardiovascular CautionPregnancy CautionLong Term Safety Unknown
Updated October 2026/7 min read/14 citations
Reviewed by the NootropicsIndex editorial team.Method: prioritize cited human research and official safety or regulatory sources; compare retailer-listed prices without endorsing products.Affiliate disclosure
01

What is it?

What raspberry ketone is

7

Raspberry ketone is the aroma compound 4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone. It is chemically distinct from the ketone bodies used in energy metabolism; its name does not establish a ketogenic-diet benefit.

A blend trial cannot identify the active ingredient

3

The eight-week METABO trial randomized 70 adults with overweight; 45 completed it. The formula combined raspberry ketone, caffeine, bitter orange and other ingredients with diet and exercise. Body-composition results favored the formula, but attrition and the mixed formula make individual attribution impossible. No serious adverse events or significant cardiovascular differences were observed in that small trial.

A registered study has no posted outcome results

8

ClinicalTrials.gov lists NCT06681597 as completed, with 60 participants and a single 500 mg exposure to examine FGF21 and energy expenditure over hours. No results are posted as of October 2026. The record does not demonstrate weight loss, a lasting benefit or repeated-dose safety.

02

Names, aliases and forms

Common NamesRaspberry ketone; Rheosmin
Chemical Names4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone; 4-(p-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone; p-hydroxybenzyl acetone
03

Mechanisms of action

Mechanisms are mostly preclinical

1

Animal and cell studies explore fat metabolism and related pathways. These experiments generate hypotheses; they do not establish a human weight-loss, energy or cognitive effect.

04

Potential effects and evidence map

Weight-loss trials of formulas containing raspberry ketone cannot establish the compound’s individual effect. A completed standalone mechanistic trial is registered, but no results are posted. Animal and cell findings do not establish weight-loss or nootropic benefits in people.

Effect domainMagnitudeGrade
Physical energy / endurance1
UnknownConfidence: Low

Reliable standalone human outcome evidence does not establish an energy, performance or weight-loss benefit.

Note No established human effect magnitude is available; the displayed zero does not mean a measured absence of effect.

0/5
E
05

Typical dosages and timing

Historical label exposure1100-1400 mg/day

NIH ODS reports this range for supplement labels, far above dietary flavoring exposure. It is neither an established effective dose nor a demonstrated safe range. A single-dose mechanistic trial registration cannot supply a daily-use recommendation.

06

Timing & effect horizon

Effect horizonUnknown
Unknown
No reliable onset, duration or cycle data3

Reliable human evidence does not establish an onset, The time for blood levels to fall by half during the final elimination phase.Source, practical effect duration or cycle for isolated raspberry ketone. The eight-week METABO study tested a blend with diet and exercise; its study length is not a raspberry ketone cycle.

07

Safety, side effects and risk profile

Supplement-dose safety cannot be scored reliably6
Human evidence is inadequate to estimate the base risk of a defined daily dose of isolated raspberry ketone, particularly with long-term use. Unscored does not mean safe. JECFA’s favorable flavoring assessment applies to the small intakes used for food flavoring, not concentrated supplementation.
Toxicology signals need human clarification4
A toxicology assessment flagged sparse data at concentrated supplement exposures and model-based cardiac and reproductive concerns. These are hazard signals, not measured human event rates or proof of harm at every dose. Supplement use during pregnancy or breastfeeding has not been adequately studied.
Evidence uncertainty2
Confidence: High

Human outcome and long-term safety evidence is inadequate for isolated raspberry ketone.

Note Missing evidence does not establish either safety or harm.

Unscored
E
Legal / regulatory risk6
Confidence: High

Food-flavoring assessments do not establish supplement-dose safety or efficacy.

Note Regulatory scope depends on market and product category.

Unscored
B
Cardiovascular caution9
Confidence: Low

Serious arrhythmia has been reported after a raspberry-ketone-containing fat burner. The ingredient’s causal role and event rate are unknown.

Note The case does not establish the risk of a verified single-ingredient product at a defined dose.

Unscored
C
Interaction risk1
Confidence: Low

A formula can add caffeine or bitter orange; its interaction profile depends on every ingredient.

Note Direct interaction studies of isolated raspberry ketone are lacking.

Unscored
C
Pregnancy / lactation caution4
Confidence: Low

Supplement-dose pregnancy and lactation safety is not established.

Note Model-based reproductive signals are not demonstrated human outcomes.

Unscored
E
GI discomfort3
Confidence: Low

Transient stomach upset occurred in the multi-ingredient METABO study and placebo, without a significant group difference.

Note These data cannot define isolated raspberry ketone tolerability.

Unscored
C
Serious cardiac events have been reported9

A 2022 case described life-threatening ventricular tachycardia after a fat burner containing raspberry ketones. Product composition, dose and ingredient causality were not established. This serious association is a safety signal, not an incidence estimate for pure raspberry ketone.

A separate report described possible coronary vasospasm10

A 2020 report described coronary vasospasm after two raspberry-ketone supplement tablets. The patient had several concurrent illnesses, and the exact dose and formulation were unclear. The report supports caution but cannot prove that isolated raspberry ketone caused the event.

08

Interactions and cautions

Blend check1

Caffeine and bitter orange add their own cardiovascular and interaction considerations. Their amounts and the whole formula matter when comparing products; isolated raspberry ketone interaction data are insufficient.

09

Legal and regulatory status

U.S., as of 20265

As of October 2026, the U.S. FDA food-substance inventory lists this compound as a flavoring agent under 21 CFR 172.515. That food-use entry does not approve a high-dose weight-loss supplement or establish its efficacy. Other markets apply their own product-category and food rules; this U.S. entry does not establish sale or import permission elsewhere.

10

Practical buying and quality notes

  • Raspberry fruit powder and fruit extract are mixtures of plant material. The manufacturer’s fruit-powder label identifies Rubus idaeus fruit, not an isolated ketone amount. A fruit powder’s package weight or low price per gram cannot be compared directly with isolated raspberry ketone.13
  • A current BulkSupplements capsule label lists 1,000 mg per two capsules, equivalent to 500 mg per capsule. That is label arithmetic, not a proven dose. Use the current merchant label to confirm form and ingredient amount: price per capsule, total blend mass and price per gram are different comparisons. For powders, check identity and a lot-specific assay before using package mass as active mass.12
11

FAQ

What raspberry ketone dosage should shoppers compare?

1

There is no established effective daily dose for isolated raspberry ketone. Compare the stated ketone amount per capsule or serving, and distinguish that from a proprietary blend’s total mass. A seller’s serving size is not proof of efficacy or safety.

How long does it take to work, and is there a supported cycle?

8

A reliable onset or benefit duration has not been established, and evidence does not support a cycling schedule. A study’s observation period does not define a recommended course.

Do raspberry ketones help with weight loss?

2

Reliable standalone clinical outcome evidence does not establish weight loss. Results from combination formulas, animal experiments or a trial registration cannot establish the effect of isolated raspberry ketone.

Is raspberry ketone a nootropic?

2

Reliable human evidence does not establish improvements in focus, memory or cognition. A stimulating blend can contain other active ingredients; its perceived effects cannot be assigned to raspberry ketone.

Is raspberry ketone the same as raspberry powder?

14

No. Isolated raspberry ketone is one chemical compound. Raspberry powder and raspberry fruit extracts contain a mixture of constituents; an extract’s total milligrams do not establish its ketone content.

12

References

  1. NIH Office of Dietary Supplements. Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals.
  2. Operation Supplement Safety. Raspberry ketone: Dietary supplements for weight loss.
  3. Lopez HL, Ziegenfuss TN, Hofheins JE, et al. Eight weeks of supplementation with a multi-ingredient weight loss product enhances body composition, reduces hip and waist girth, and increases energy levels in overweight men and women. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2013;10:22.
  4. Bredsdorff L, Wedebye EB, Nikolov NG, Hallas-Moller T, Pilegaard K. Raspberry ketone in food supplements - High intake, few toxicity data - A cause for safety concern? Regul Toxicol Pharmacol. 2015;73(1):196-200.
  5. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Substances Added to Food: 4-(p-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone.
  6. Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on Food Additives. Raspberry ketone, JECFA number 728.
  7. PubChem. 4-(4'-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone, CID 21648.
  8. Nanchang University. NCT06681597: The Effect of Raspberry Ketone Intake on Plasma FGF21 Levels. ClinicalTrials.gov; registry last updated November 8, 2024.
  9. Ansari SA, Patel F, Ashouri D, Dhaliwal JSS, Desai A. Resistant Polymorphic Ventricular Tachycardia in a Patient Taking Raspberry Ketones Weight Loss Supplement. Cureus. 2022;14:e33089.
  10. Khattar A, Beeton I. Coronary vasospasm and raspberry ketones weight-loss supplement: Is there a connection? Anatol J Cardiol. 2020;24:205-208.
  11. BulkSupplements.com. Raspberry Ketones Powder: current product page and Supplement Facts.
  12. BulkSupplements.com. Raspberry Ketones Capsules: current Supplement Facts.
  13. BulkSupplements.com. Raspberry Powder: current Supplement Facts.
  14. BulkSupplements.com. Organic Raspberry Extract Powder: current Supplement Facts.
Note

This page is informational and summarizes available evidence. It is not medical advice, a recommendation, or a substitute for guidance from a qualified clinician.