By now, you’ve probably heard the term “raspberry ketone” in at least a few places. Dr. Oz boasted of its benefits on his daytime TV show about two years ago. Certain health blogs continue to report on its merits even today, especially when it comes its potential weight loss aspects — the details that make the compound so attractive in the first place. And yes, raspberry ketone supplements are a big deal, but the media, as of now, still hasn’t told us the whole story about them.
Don’t worry; the rest of the story is just as good.
That’s why we’ve compiled this list of three things you probably didn’t know about raspberry ketone. Of course, even though Dr. Oz labeled it “the number one miracle in a bottle,” you should always check with your doctor before making large changes in your daily health routines, especially when it comes to subscribing to a raspberry ketone diet.
1. The compound isn’t just found in raspberries.
You wouldn’t know it by its name, but raspberry ketone is found in a variety of fruits, not just raspberries. So, what is raspberry ketone anyway? On the molecular level, it’s purely an aromatic compound that gives those fruits their particularly fresh and lively scent. Scientists may have found a link between the compound and weight loss, which is why it’s become the healthy supplement du jour. In addition to raspberries, the compound can also be found in cranberries and blackberries.
2. It’s not just loved by humans, either.
The raspberry ketone supplement is quite popular in the natural world because of its irresistibly sweet, fruity smell, making it a popular choice among melon flies and Queensland fruit flies especially. Additionally, one specific type of orchid (the Bulbophyllum apertum, to be precise) can produce the ketone naturally in its nectar, attracting fruit flies of a number of different genus types.
3. It’s been used as a food additive since the 1960s.
Despite its recent resurgence, raspberry ketone has been in the food industry for nearly 50 years. In 1965, the Food and Drug Administration gave raspberry ketone the GRAS distinction, meaning it’s generally recognized as safe to be used to naturally boost flavors and scents of marketed foods. That means if you pick up a raspberry-flavored food item from the supermarket, you could be tasting a raspberry ketone supplement without even knowing it.
Now you know the little-known facts about raspberry ketone, but the professionals in the medical field know more. Remember, before you run off and buy raspberry ketones in bulk, ask your doctor if a weight-loss program is right for you. To learn more, read this.