Hydroxycut is a popular brand of dietary supplements marketed for weight loss. For over 25 years, the company claims its products can boost metabolism, increase energy, and help people shed pounds. However, Hydroxycut has faced controversy for its unsubstantiated claims, potential side effects, and involvement in multiple lawsuits. This article examines the ingredients, effectiveness, safety concerns, and history of Hydroxycut products to provide a comprehensive overview.
Overview of Hydroxycut Products
Hydroxycut offers various products, including pills, capsules, shakes, gummies, and drink mixes. The brand sells 15 products, which the company claims can support weight loss, including:
- 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.
Its two most popular products are Hydroxycut Original and Hydroxycut Hardcore. While they come in different forms, most of Hydroxycut’s other products have the same active ingredients as Hydroxycut Original.
Hydroxycut Hardcore: A Closer Look
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.
Ingredients in Hydroxycut Original
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. The supplement also contains vitamin D and numerous B vitamins, including a high dose of vitamin B12. Non-active ingredients include rice flour, gelatin, titanium dioxide, magnesium stearate, and silicon dioxide.
Read also: Are Hydroxycut Gummies Effective?
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. Key ingredients include:
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.
Read also: Ingredients in Hydroxycut Drink Mix
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
- 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.
Dosage and Recommendations
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:
Read also: Weight Loss Gummies: A Closer Look
- 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.
Effectiveness and Scientific Evidence
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. The scientific evidence for the efficacy of Hydroxycut is lacking. 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. Also, information published by the National Institutes of Health indicates that the main ingredient in Hydroxycut may have some positive impact on weight loss, but that clinical studies are of poor quality. Even the people who took part in the clinical studies and lost weight while taking caffeine were not relying on a supplement alone. They followed an exercise routine and a low-calorie diet at the same time.
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.
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. There’s currently no research on the safety and effectiveness of Hydroxycut products.
Some potential side effects of Hydroxycut include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Anxiety
- Insomnia
- Increased heart rate
- High blood pressure
Furthermore, yohimbe, an ingredient found in Hydroxycut Hardcore, has been associated with heart attacks and seizures and may interact with certain antidepressant medications.
Taking more than recommended may cause you to consume toxic levels of caffeine (more than 15 mg/kg of body weight, according to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements). Some Hydroxycut products also contain high levels of caffeine, which may cause side effects depending on the amount consumed.
Hydroxycut Recall and History of Safety Issues
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 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. 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 manufacturer recalled the products and modified them. In 2010, Hydroxycut returned to the market with a new formula. But there continue to be reports of serious adverse health effects.
Numerous cases of toxicity Most of the dangerous side effects of Hydroxycut were due to the older formulations. Hydroxycut Original used to contain ephedra, a powerful stimulant. In 2004, the FDA banned ephedra because it caused serious side effects. In fact, about 155 deaths are believed to have been caused by supplements that contained ephedra, including Hydroxycut. Several years later, in 2009, Hydroxycut was recalled because of numerous case reports of hepatotoxicity (liver poisoning) and other serious adverse effects.
Still, there have been several reports of dangerous side effects in recent years, even with the current formulation, particularly in regards to liver injury. Given the lack of research on the safety of Hydroxycut and numerous reports of adverse effects, it may be best to avoid or at least practice extreme caution when considering Hydroxycut supplements.
Liver Toxicity and Hydroxycut
Dietary supplements represent an increasingly common source of drug-induced liver injury. Hydroxycut is a popular weight loss supplement which has previously been linked to hepatotoxicity, although the individual chemical components underlying liver injury remain poorly understood.
Both patients in this report used the dietary supplement Hydroxycut within a short time frame before presenting with acute hepatitis, suggesting Hydroxycut as the most likely etiology for acute liver injury. Neither patient had a history suggestive of other exposures or risk factors for viral hepatitis, alcoholic hepatitis, other toxin-mediated injury, or chronic liver disease. A comprehensive serologic and radiographic evaluation performed in both patients did not reveal alternative sources for liver toxicity. Although causation is difficult to confirm in cases of suspected drug-associated hepatotoxicity, the temporal relationship to acute liver injury and rapid resolution upon withdrawal of Hydroxycut make this likely.
The specific components likely implicated in liver toxicity include G. Cambogia, Chromium, and green tea root extract (Camellia Sinensis) based on prior data suggesting liver toxicity.
Who Should Avoid Hydroxycut?
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. 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.
Lifestyle Changes and Sustainable Weight Loss
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. 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 may not be the safest route for sustainable weight loss. If you’re looking for long-term results, it’s better to focus on sustainable lifestyle habits such as eating a nutritious diet and exercising regularly. If you’re looking to lose weight, you’re better off adopting sustainable healthy lifestyle habits, such as eating a minimally processed diet, exercising regularly, managing your stress, and getting quality sleep.
Alternative Options
There are healthier ways to increase fullness, such as eating a diet high in fiber and protein, that don’t rely on such high amounts of caffeine.
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