✓
No active regulatory warnings
Sources: FDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
Updated: 2026-05-29 · v2.0 · Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD📎 Cite 📄 PDF
1 Identity

Raspberry Ketones

4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone
Limited EvidenceEvidence: InsufficientOther
Raspberry ketone (4-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone) is a phenolic compound responsible for the aroma of red raspberries, marketed as a weight-loss supplement after a 2012 Dr. Oz television promotion called it 'the #1 miracle in a bottle' [1]. The entire marketing phenomenon rests on ONE mouse study (2005) showing reduced adiposity at doses equivalent to ~100× human supplement doses. ZERO human weight-loss RCTs exist. The compound is structurally similar to synephrine and capsaicin, suggesting theoretical thermogenic potential, but this is untested in humans [1].
3
Raspberry Ketones
4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone
Limited EvidenceEvidence: InsufficientOther
Clinical verdict: Raspberry ketones are the poster child for supplement hype over evidence: Dr. Oz '#1 miracle in a bottle' (2012) → massive market → ZERO human RCTs. The entire evidence base is ONE mouse study at ~100× human-equivalent doses. Structural similarity to synephrine suggests thermogenic potential but this is UNTESTED. Natural raspberry content is ~1–4 mg/kg — you'd need 40 kg of raspberries to get a typical supplement dose. Most commercial 'raspberry ketone' is synthetic [1].
RDA
Typical 100–500 mg
Target range
N/A
Upper limit
No UL
Evidence
Insufficient
Population dosing — click to filter
✅ USP Verified, NSF Contents Certified, ConsumerLab Approved
2 Risk self-assessment
See overview [1].
Select factors above to see your risk level
Clinical pearl for practitioners
SupplementIndex
Raspberry Ketones
4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone · Limited Evidence · Evidence: Insufficient
RDA
Typical 100–500 mg
Upper limit
No UL
Evidence
Insufficient
Clinical bottom line
Raspberry ketones are the poster child for supplement hype over evidence: Dr. Oz '#1 miracle in a bottle' (2012) → massive market → ZERO human RCTs. The entire evidence base is ONE mouse study at ~100× human-equivalent doses. Structural similarity to synephrine suggests thermogenic potential but this is UNTESTED. Natural raspberry content is ~1–4 mg/kg — you'd need 40 kg of raspberries to get a typical supplement dose. Most commercial 'raspberry ketone' is synthetic [1].
Do not miss
⚠ See overview for critical safety [1]
Pregnancy
Avoid — no safety data whatsoever [1].
4 Lab interpreter

See overview

<12 Deficient
12–20 Insufficient
20–50 Optimal
50–100 Excess
>150 Toxic
Your level:
Enter a value above
⚕ For healthcare professionals. Does not replace clinical judgment.
5 Quick facts
CategoryOther
Safety levelLimited Evidence
EvidenceInsufficient
RDATypical 100–500 mg
Upper limit (UL)No UL
Scientific name4-(4-Hydroxyphenyl)-2-butanone
See overview[1]
6 Dosage by population

Adults Moderate

See product label

Elderly Moderate

See product label
Consider reduced renal/hepatic clearance. Start at lower end of range.

Pregnancy Moderate

See guidance
Avoid — no safety data whatsoever [1].

Pediatric Moderate

See guidance
Not recommended [1].

Athletes Limited

Standard dose

Obesity Limited

Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.

Renal Limited

Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.

Vegan Moderate

Standard dose
See overview [1].
7 Form comparison
FormBioavailabilityVeganCost/day
['Various forms', 'standard', 'See overview [1].']StandardCheck label
8 Clinical evidence

Strong evidence

See overview [1]. HIGH

Moderate evidence

See overview [1]. MODERATE

Insufficient evidence

See overview [1]. LOW
9 Safety

🚩 Red flags — when to stop and refer

● See overview [1]

Pregnancy

Avoid — no safety data whatsoever [1].

Pediatric

Not recommended [1].
10 Toxicity and overdose

11 Drug interactions
Stimulant medications Major
Mechanism: Structural similarity to synephrine suggests theoretical sympathomimetic activity [1].
Effect: See overview [1].
Action: See overview [1].
12 Supplement interactions
13 Laboratory monitoring
See overview Primary
Target: N/A · N/A
See overview [1].
14 Deficiency and prevalence
0%
[1]

Risk factors

• See overview [1].
15 Frequently asked questions
Key point ▼
Raspberry ketones are the poster child for supplement hype over evidence: Dr. Oz '#1 miracle in a bottle' (2012) → massive market → ZERO human RCTs. The entire evidence base is ONE mouse study at ~100× human-equivalent doses. Structural similarity to synephrine suggests thermogenic potential but this is UNTESTED. Natural raspberry content is ~1–4 mg/kg — you'd need 40 kg of raspberries to get a typical supplement dose. Most commercial 'raspberry ketone' is synthetic [1].
16 Regulatory status
See overview: [1].
17 References
[1]Morimoto C, et al. Anti-obese action of raspberry ketone. Life Sci. 2005;77(2):194-204. doi:10.1016/j.lfs.2004.12.029 REVIEW
[2]Cotten BM, et al. Raspberry ketone fails to reduce adiposity beyond decreasing food intake in C57BL/6 mice fed a high-fat diet. Food Funct. 2017;8(4):1512-1518. doi:10.1039/C6FO01831A REVIEW
18 US supplement products
8
on-market US dietary supplements contain Raspberry Ketones
Source: NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD). Cross-referenced with SupplementIndex safety profiles.

Top brands

Cellucor3 products
Beyond Human1 products
It Works!1 products
It Works! Global1 products
Patient One 1 MediNutritionals1 products
SAN1 products

Product forms

Capsule (3)Softgel Capsule (3)Tablet or Pill (2)

Sample products

Raspberry Ketone Beyond HumanCapsule
CLK CellucorSoftgel Capsule
CLK Raspberry Flavored Softgels CellucorSoftgel Capsule
CLK Raspberry Flavored Softgels CellucorSoftgel Capsule
Ultimate ThermoFit It Works!Tablet or Pill
View all 8 products containing Raspberry Ketones →
19 Frequently paired with
Ingredients most often found in the same supplement products as Raspberry Ketones, based on NIH DSLD data.
Silicon
Generally Safe 7 shared products
Titanium Dioxide
Limited Evidence 4 shared products
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21 Cite this page
Vancouver
Pkhakadze G. Raspberry Ketones — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: Public Health Institute of Georgia; 2026 [cited 2026 May 30]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/raspberry-ketones/
APA 7th
Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Raspberry Ketones — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/raspberry-ketones/
CC BY 4.0
🛡 SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
GP
Reviewed by Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal · Chair, PHIG
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Next: November 2026
This entry is provided for educational and public health purposes under CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. For corrections: info@accreditation.ge.
Publisher: PHIG · Editor-in-Chief: Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD