Hydroxycut Revealed: Ingredients, Real Results, and Shocking Safety Facts!

Hydroxycut is a popular brand of dietary supplements marketed as a weight loss aid. The brand claims its supplements can boost metabolism, increase energy, and help you lose weight. However, there is little scientific research to support those claims. This article examines the ingredients in Hydroxycut products, their effectiveness, and potential side effects.

What is Hydroxycut?

Hydroxycut is a brand of dietary supplements that is marketed as a weight loss aid. Their products include drink mixes, protein bars, chewable “gummies,” caplets, and powder that you can sprinkle on to food. The main ingredients in Hydroxycut products include a blend of caffeine, plant extracts, and other active compounds. These can cause side effects in some people.

Hydroxycut Products

Hydroxycut sells 15 products, which the company claims can support weight loss:

Hydroxycut Original: The company claims these capsules with green coffee extract and caffeine support weight loss and energy.
Hydroxycut Hardcore: Promoted as high-stimulant capsules with caffeine, yohimbe, and cayenne and is targeted toward athletes and bodybuilders. Said to provide intense energy and fat-burning support.
Hydroxycut Gummies: Marketed as 99% caffeine-free gummies with green coffee extract and vitamins. Claimed to support weight loss.
Hydroxycut Drink Mix: A powdered mix with caffeine and B vitamins. The company says it supports metabolism and hydration.
Hydroxycut Non-Stimulant: Caffeine-free capsules with green coffee extract. Marketed to help with weight loss without stimulants.
Hydroxycut Advanced: Capsules with MCT oil, yohimbe, and herbal extracts. Claimed to support energy and weight loss.
Hydroxycut +Women: Capsules with caffeine, collagen, iron, and folic acid. Designed for women and promoted to support weight loss and wellness.
Hydroxycut Hardcore Ultra Shred Gummies: Gummies with caffeine, yohimbe, and cayenne. Said to provide energy and support fat loss.
Hydroxycut Weight Loss +Electrolytes: A drink mix with green coffee extract and electrolytes. Marketed to aid in weight loss and hydration.
Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Heat: A liquid supplement with caffeine and thermogenic compounds. Claimed to offer fast-acting energy and metabolism support.
Hardcore Cleanse: Capsules with herbal ingredients. Promoted as a detox and digestive support product.
Hydroxycut Weight Loss +Multivitamin: Capsules with green coffee extract and essential vitamins. Said to support weight loss and provide daily nutrition.
Pro Clinical Glucose Support: Capsules with mulberry extract, cinnamon, and caffeine. Marketed to support healthy blood sugar levels and weight control.
Hydroxycut Pro Clinical Berberine DHB: Capsules with dihydroberberine and green coffee extract. Claimed to support metabolism and blood sugar health.
Hydroxycut Máximo: Capsules with green coffee extract and thermogenic ingredients. Promoted as an advanced fat-burning formula.

Hydroxycut Hardcore

Hydroxycut Hardcore is a line of Hydroxycut products marketed as more potent and intense than standard Hydroxycut products. Often targeted toward athletes and bodybuilders, these products typically contain higher levels of caffeine and other stimulants. The main difference between Hydroxycut Hardcore and standard Hydroxycut is the level of stimulants. Hydroxycut Hardcore products typically contain higher levels of caffeine and other stimulants, which can lead to increased energy, focus, and calorie burning. Formerly Hydroxycut Black, this potent formula is a tool you can trust as part of your diet and training plan for powerful weight loss.

Key Ingredients in Hydroxycut Advanced

Hydroxycut Advanced contains caffeine to increase energy and metabolism.

Read also: Are Hydroxycut Gummies Effective?

C. Canephora Robusta: This compound, found in green coffee, is the key weight-loss driver in Hydroxycut.
Yohimbe: Contains yohimbe, a popular ingredient known to enhance your senses for an experience you can feel.
Caffeine: Contains 200mg of caffeine to enhance focus and increase energy.

Ingredients and Their Effectiveness

Both Hydroxycut Original and Hydroxycut Hardcore contain a highly concentrated form of caffeine. Hydroxycut Original is the most popular Hydroxycut product. It contains several active ingredients that the company claims can lead to weight loss. Hydroxycut Original’s effectiveness hasn’t been examined by quality clinical studies. Instead, the company relies on research of individual ingredients to support the supplement’s claims.

Caffeine (from coffee extract): Coffee extract (as Coffea robusta) is the main ingredient in Hydroxycut Original. One serving (2 capsules) contains 200 mg of caffeine, though the company recommends taking up to 2 servings (4 capsules) per day, for a total intake of 400 mg of caffeine. Research from 2019 found that increasing caffeine intake was linked to modest reductions in body weight, BMI, and fat mass, with higher doses producing slightly greater effects. The results suggest caffeine may support weight loss, though the overall impact is small.
Robusta coffee extract (C. canephora robusta): A nonstimulant extract, often referred to as green coffee, that is high in chlorogenic acid. Research suggests green coffee is linked to small reductions in weight and waist circumference in some studies. However, the effects appear to be minor. One study showed that when people took C. canephora robusta for 60 days, they lost about 10.95 pounds, while the placebo group lost an average of 5.40 pounds. Both groups were on a low-calorie diet. The other small eight-week study showed that those taking C. canephora robusta lost about 3.7 pounds vs the placebo group members, who lost 1.25 pounds. While these results are promising, more high-quality, larger studies need to be done to confirm if C. canephora robusta is actually helpful for weight loss.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV): Marketed for appetite suppression and weight loss. One 2018 study showed slightly more weight loss with ACV plus a calorie-restricted diet, but overall, evidence is limited and mixed.
Plum extract: Plums are a highly nutritious and fiber-filled fruit. There is no evidence that supports its role in weight loss when used in supplements. However, it contains sorbitol, which may cause temporary water loss via laxative effects.
Baobab extract: Baobab is a fruit that comes from the baobab tree. It’s commonly found as a whole fruit, in powdered form, or as an extract. Baobab extract may increase satiety (fullness) and help regulate blood glucose, according to very limited research. However, no evidence supports its effectiveness for weight loss at typical supplement doses.
Cardamom: A 2021 review found that cardamom may help with weight loss and other health issues by reducing inflammation, lowering blood sugar, and improving cholesterol levels.
Vitamin blend (B vitamins, vitamin D): Hydroxycut Original also contains several added vitamins, including vitamin D, thiamine (vitamin B1), riboflavin (vitamin B2), niacin (vitamin B3), vitamin B6, and vitamin B12. These vitamins are included to support energy metabolism. They may benefit people with deficiencies but are unlikely to promote weight loss in healthy individuals.

While some ingredients in Hydroxycut Original may have modest effects on weight or appetite, there’s currently insufficient evidence to suggest that taking supplements containing these ingredients will result in meaningful weight loss.

Dosage and Usage

The company recommends starting slowly and gradually increasing the number of Hydroxycut Original capsules you take per day. Current dosage recommendations for Hydroxycut Original are as follows:

Days 1-3: 1 capsule twice daily
Day 4 and beyond: 2 capsules twice daily

Dosage recommendations vary between products. Therefore, it’s important to read the instructions carefully and not exceed the recommended dosage.

To assess individual tolerance for Hydroxycut Advanced, follow the chart. Take 1 serving (2 capsules) twice daily, 30 to 60 minutes before your 2 largest meals (e.g., breakfast and lunch). Do not snack between meals or before dinner. Do not take within 5 hours of bedtime. Do not exceed 2 capsules in a 4-hour period and/or 4 capsules in a 24-hour period. For best results, use for 60 days in combination with diet and exercise.

Safety Concerns and Side Effects

Many experts question the safety of Hydroxycut products. The manufacturer, Iovate Health Sciences International, says it puts raw ingredients through extensive quality assurance procedures. Unlike drug manufacturers, supplement makers don’t have to show that their products are safe or effective before selling them.

Some potential side effects of Hydroxycut include:

Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Stomach pain
Headache
Dizziness
Anxiety
Insomnia
Increased heart rate
High blood pressure

There are also reports of liver damage and other serious health effects.

Hydroxycut Recall

In 2009, the FDA warned consumers about Hydroxycut products due to reports of liver damage. Hydroxycut has also been linked to cases of rhabdomyolysis, a condition that can cause muscle breakdown and kidney failure. The manufacturer recalled the products and modified them. But there continue to be reports of serious adverse health effects.

History of Issues with the FDA

Hydroxycut has a long history of issues with the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA). In 2004, the FDA banned the use of ephedra in weight loss products. At the time, Hydroxycut contained ephedra, and the company had to change the formula to remove this ingredient. From 2004 to 2009, the most common ingredients used in Hydroxycut products included caffeine, green tea extract, and various, undisclosed amounts of botanical extracts. In 2009, the FDA recalled Hydroxycut products under a health fraud charge. At that time, the FDA had received more than 20 reports of serious health problems linked to Hydroxycut. These health problems included liver disease, seizures, heart disease, muscle problems, and death. The FDA do not require supplement manufacturers, such as Hydroxycut, to test their products before introducing them.

Read also: Weight Loss Gummies: A Closer Look

Who Should Avoid Hydroxycut?

If you have any underlying health conditions, you should not take Hydroxycut products without consulting your doctor first. You should also avoid Hydroxycut if you are sensitive to stimulants or are taking other stimulant supplements or medications. Hydroxycut warns that people under 18 years of age should not use their products. It also warns that a person should stop using the product if they experience any adverse side effects.

Lifestyle Changes

There are no specific lifestyle changes suggested along with Hydroxycut. You may want to reduce or cut out caffeine from other sources in your diet.

Hydroxycut and Long-Term Weight Loss

If you read consumer reports on forums and message boards, you’ll notice that for every person who succeeds with this supplement, another says it had no effect. This seems to be the case with most weight loss supplements - some people have success with them, while others don’t. However, like any other quick weight loss method, taking Hydroxycut supplements is unlikely to produce long-term results unless followed by lasting lifestyle changes. Losing weight is a marathon, not a race, and there are no shortcuts.

Hydroxycut: A Dubious Track Record

Hydroxycut has failed Healthline’s rigorous vetting process due to concerns over the company’s medical claims, brand marketing, product safety, and involvement in multiple lawsuits. In addition to its concerning marketing messages, the company has been subject to several recalls over the years due to concerns about the safety of its products.

Reported Health Problems Linked to Hydroxycut

While the current ingredients are deemed safe, Hydroxycut has continued to be linked to a few health problems.

Ischemic Colitis: A case report from 2011 suggested that one case of ischemic colitis was caused by Hydroxycut. This condition occurs when blood flow to the colon is reduced because your arteries are narrowed or blocked. The researchers speculated that the high levels of caffeine or perhaps one of the herbs in Hydroxycut could have caused the problem.
Caffeine Overdose: Hydroxycut products differ on how much caffeine they contain. Some have no caffeine at all. The formulas with high doses, such as Hydroxycut Max Advanced for Women, contain as much caffeine as three cups of coffee, around 400 mg. Most people shouldn’t have more than 300 mg of caffeine a day. A caffeine overdose can cause shortness of breath and nervousness, or even an irregular heartbeat.
Rhabdomyolysis: The caffeine in Hydroxycut was also cited as a possible cause in the exertional rhabdomyolysis of three American soldiers in a 2013 case study. Skeletal muscle tears that release fluid into the circulatory system cause exertional rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to metabolic, blood, and liver problems.
Other Conditions: Hydroxycut has been suggested as a contributor to some cases of ulcerative colitis. And psychiatric researchers in Australia and New Zealand have studied Hydroxycut as possibly triggering manic episodes.

Alternatives to Hydroxycut

If you want to achieve sustainable weight loss, reduce the number of calories you consume so that it’s lower than the number of calories you expend. Consider trying mindfulness meditation or joining a 12-step program like Overeaters Anonymous for support. Treat yourself to little indulgences and celebrate small victories as the weight drops off. Yes, losing weight will require patience. But don’t fool yourself by thinking products like Hydroxycut will accelerate your progress or make a weight loss miracle happen overnight. The scientific evidence for the efficacy of Hydroxycut is lacking. Side effects can include serious medical concerns, like liver disease.

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