What is it?
Hydroxycut is a weight loss brand that’s available in different forms, with common ingredients such as green coffee bean. They often use this ingredient to show that within 60 days, people lost 10.95 pounds versus a placebo.
The intended benefits of this brand are increased fat loss, energy, and enhanced metabolism. For their caffeine brands, they advise to start with just 1 capsule a day, then eventually building up to 2 capsules twice a day. Their Hydroxycut blend is a proprietary formula featuring fruit, green coffee, and saffron. In this review you’ll learn about the surprising company history, what customers have to say about it, and whether or not it’s a good weight loss supplement. The top 10 diet pills are featured in this comprehensive list.
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Hydroxycut Ingredients and Side Effects
Robusta Coffee Extract (45% (Chlorogenic Acid)
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Papaya
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Blackberry
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Saffron Extract
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Caffeine Anhydrous
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Maqui
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Amla Extract
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Microcrystalline Cellulose
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Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate
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Pre-gelatinized Starch
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Stearic Acid
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Titanium Dioxide
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Polyethylene Glycol
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Talc
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Croscarmellose Sodium
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Magnesium Stearate
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Silicon Dioxide
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Robusta Coffee Extract (45% Chlorogenic Acid): Unroasted Robusta coffee, which is a species of coffee bean known for its higher bitterness and acidity.
It’s intended to help improve metabolism and control blood sugar. It can potentially cause side effects that include:
- Insomnia, nausea, and agitation.
- Anxiety, rapid heart rate, and difficulty concentrating.
- Restlessness, ringing in the ears, and headaches.
A study is provided by the manufacturers to show how effective this ingredient is versus a placebo.
The study was funded by a company who sells this extract, so there’s a potential for bias. In this study they took 50 volunteers and made them follow a low calorie diet.
Other unbiased studies have shown this ingredient to be ineffective for weight loss. Examine.com adds:
“seems weakly to moderately effective (on fat loss)”
It’s possible the only reason for fat loss is due to the caffeine.
Saffron Extract: Plant extract that’s used in cooking, as well as a way to improve mood and reduce sickness. Though there isn’t sufficient studies about its use. Web MD adds:
“There isn’t enough information to know how saffron might work”
“Taking large amounts of saffron by mough is POSSIBLY UNSAFE”
Possible side effects include:
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- Poisoning.
- Vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and numbness.
- Death.
When taken at large amounts there have been cases of people dying from this.
Caffeine Anhydrous: Dehydrated form of caffeine that stimulates the central nervous system, it increaseses energy and metabolism.
A full serving of Hydroxycut Pro Clinical, their flagship brand, has 400 mg per daily serving. This is the maximum allowed limit for caffeine, and due to this, the company mentions:
“Do not take within 5 hours of bedtime”
“Consume 8 to 10 glasses of water per day”
This is to avoid both insomnia and dehydration. They also advise to not take any other stimulants, since it would likely raise the risk for serious side effects. Though on its own, it can potentially cause:
- Anxiety, agitation, and pain in the chest.
- Rapid heart rate, tremors, and jitters.
- Cardiovascular damage, insomnia, and restlessness.
- Dehydration, headaches, and mood swings.
Caffeine also has limitations, as Examine.com adds:
“Habitual caffeine use leads to tolerance. This means the effects of caffeine will be diminished… where the only benefit a user experiences is caffeine’s anti-sleep effect”
Therefore, caffeine must be only taken for short periods before it loses its potential weight loss effects.
Certain people are much more sensitive to caffeine, and that’s why it’s advised to slowly introduce this brand, and to not take more than just 1 pill to start with.
Maqui: A berry found in parts of Latin America, it’s used to help with weight loss. However, Web MD adds:
“There isn’t enough information to know if maqui is safe”
The possible side effects are also not known.
Amla Extract: This fruit has been used to lower bad cholesterol, and to provide antioxidant support. Though Examine.com adds:
“there is not enough evidence to recommend Amla for any particular purpose”
There have also been cases of people experiencing liver damage.
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Hydroxycut Quality of Ingredients
Ingredients like amla, maqui, and saffron have not been thoroughly studied and it’s unknown if they would affect weight loss.
Then there’s the added caffeine and green coffee bean which are the key active ingredients. Caffeine can be replaced with coffee or tea for cheaper and green coffee bean hasn’t shown any valuable weight loss effects. Studies have shown it to be either ineffective, or weak in its possible weight loss effects.
For the kinds of ingredients used, the lack of clinical studies for some ingredients, and the unknown side effects of certain additives, this mixture is a poor choice for weight loss. There are far too many unanswered questions to determine what the formula might do.
The Price and Quality of Hydroxycut
Sales are not offered via the manfaucturer, but they do suggest multiple online and in store 3rd party retailers.
Amazon.com sells one 150 capsule bottle for $28.56. At the maximum dosage of 4 capsules a day, this lasts for a total of 37.5 days. This makes the daily cost for supplementation 76 cents.
Though inexpensive, many of the ingredinets in this are either innefective for weight loss, not yet proven, or can be replaced.
There’s a high amount of caffeine in this which isn’t a long lasting source for weight loss. It may also provide side effects. Stimulant free options for long lasting weight loss are available if you click here.
Caffeine at 400 mg is roughly 4 cups of coffee. That’s why special considerations must be put in place to help protect against side effects. Still, the key active ingredients in caffeine and green coffee bean extract aren’t enough to suggest both reliable and safe effects. These two ingredients can also be replaced for much cheaper.
Business of Hydroxycut
The owners of this brand are Iovate Health Sciences Inc. They can be reached via the following:
Phone Number: (888) 334-4448
Address: 381 North Service Road West
Oakville, ON, L6M 0H4 Canada
Email: [email protected]
The company has been in trouble with both the FDA and FTC.
The FTC fined them $5.5 million dollars for making false advertising claims about their supplements. This included stating that their brands had positive health benefits, and because of this, they were required to refund customers who bought supplements from them.
The FDA also sent them a warning letter due to:
“liver toxicity associated with the use of multiple versions of the dietary supplement Hydroxycut”
“Agency has concluded that the ingestion of the dietary supplement Hydroxycut presents a severe potentially life-threatening hazard to some users”
This forced the company to schedule a mandatory recall on all Hydroxycut on the market. There were 23 reports of severe health problems due to this supplement, and one person died from it.
After this, in 2024 and 2024 there were still incidents of heart problems and ulcers associated the use of Hydroxycut.
They currently have 6 complaints on their Better Business Bureau website. This is due to issues with service, the products, and a lack of communication from the company.
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Customer Opinions of Hydroxycut
Here are select reviews from online customers:
“I really don’t have any effect using this product”
“Made me feel super sick and dizzy”
“It’s mostly a glorified caffeine pill”
“I had severe nausea, abdominal pain and felt like my stomach was on fire”
Amazon.com currently features 535 complaints. It’s often mentioned from customers that they experienced side effects, as well as a lack of weight loss.
Common side effects experienced by users include nausea, stomach pain, anxiety, rapid heart rate, restlessness, anxiousness, agitation, and some experienced difficulty breathing.
Many also said this is basically just a caffeine pill, and that it had no noticeable weight loss effects.
Conclusion - Does Hydroxycut Work?
The key features to notice about this brand are the company history, and the kinds of ingredients used. Many customers have failed to see any weight loss benefits, and people describe it as a caffeine pill. This is likely because the only ingredeints in this that might have a weight loss effect are caffeine and green coffee extract. There’s not enough in this to suggest it would help benefit people. The company has also had to recall Hydroxycut due to serious health concerns. There’s also a lot of caffeine added to this, with a full serving providing the maximum recommended dosage strength for caffeine.
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User Feedback
(Page 33 of 41, 802 total comments)SAL
I just started taking the pill today. So far I have noticed more energy but thats about it. No side effects yet.
posted Apr 8th, 2008 2:15 pmbleaux
i love hydroxycut. I know a lot of people are asking about sideeffect...the worst I've had was some naseua(sp?) during the first few days of taking it.If you've ever been pregnant, it's like a mild version of morning sickness. But after a few days of consistently taking hydroxycut, it goes away. The results are worth it!
posted Apr 8th, 2008 9:34 amSteven
I am an Avid Hydroxycut Hardcore User. I am 18 and my starting weight was 325lbs and now im down to 278lbs. YOU SHOULD BE TAKING A GREAT MULTIVITAMIN when taking this pill, these pills dehydrate your body and you will need to replenish your nutrients. Drink a gallon of water a day, do cardio 30-45 minutes a day, also and do a light workout....as far as the when you should take them, you should take them 30 minutes BEFORE eating meals, and 30 minutes BEFORE excercising, if you feel sick when excercising drink more water...but it is a good pill, you will defiently get more energy, but dont take it within 4 hours of going to sleep. This is a great product and i would recommend it to anyone, BUT you HAVE TO FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS! if you have any questions ask your GNC sales rep and they will tell you everything about it.
posted Apr 7th, 2008 8:09 pmwannatrybutscared
This was recommended to me by a guy so is in great shape and cut like a fireman. I want to try but what do you do once you stop taking it. Does the weight pile right back on? Not looking forward to spending $50 for that! I am 5'7 and 160 lbs and have a nice curvy shape. I only want to lose 10-15lbs in time for my vacation at the end of next month. I already eat heathily, work out 4 days a wk and drink lots of water. I've lost on my own before by increasing the water but I'm 40 now and it's seems to not work this time.
posted Apr 7th, 2008 8:09 pmFISHER39
I want to start taking hydroxycut again. But this time I want to exercise more with them. Is that a good idea.
posted Apr 7th, 2008 12:38 pmAllison
I only took one pill yesterday and went over and beyonid my normal workout routine I had endless energy and i felt great! I am the single mother of two small babies and was always tired now I have more energy and feel better not so t ired
posted Apr 7th, 2008 12:38 pm1985Shorty
I am 22 yrs old turning 23 this 2008 yr. I have two children & have gained some weight through the yrs after my second child. I am really short standing at 4'11' weighing 130 lbs- not quite the ideal wheight for a short gal. I started taking Hydroxycut on 4/1/08 & I hope this product helps me shed the couple of pounds I want to loose to be a hot mommy... I will keep you readers posted of how is going for me.
posted Apr 5th, 2008 6:58 amSAL
I was thinking about taking hydroxycut. I'm 21, 5'7 and weigh 145. I really want to look more fit though so I think this will help. I am worried about taking it with taking other medications. I take birth control for irregular periods and antibiotics for acne.Will taking hydroxycut and the other medications be safe? Any which one should I take? I know there are many differnt types like womens, caffine-free etc.... Can anyone help?
posted Apr 3rd, 2008 8:41 pmanonomys
I'm 16, 5'8, and 180lbs! My weight is distributed evenly so therefore, i don't look heavy. But i feel very unconfortable with myself. I have tried amny different diets and have a hard time sticking to them. I'm not sure if Hydroxycut is right for me. i go to school and then straight to work. So i don't really have time for excersice. BUT i do step arobics and teabo in p.e. Is this considered enough exercise? IS my age a problem?
posted Apr 3rd, 2008 2:25 pmno name
I play lacrosse in college, and i would like to use hydroxycut to lose about 10 lbs but wasnt sure if i could do it if i worked out as frequently as we do. What do yall think?
posted Apr 3rd, 2008 9:16 amtina
I'm trying it, 45 yrs old, 136lbs, 5'4". My firtst impression is that it sounds like the quick weight loss is water weight. That's always what happens first. real fat loss is slower and more gradual. It's just not possible to lose pounds of fat in a matter of days. If the side effects get too bothersome, I'm quitting it.
posted Apr 2nd, 2008 9:49 amSilverBlue
I just started taking Hydroxycut (regular). I am female, 21 yrs, 5'4 132lbs, exercise 4-5x week for atleast an hour (strength training 3x wk, + cardio). Been exercising since early Feb. I lost like 2lbs, then gained it back (could be muscle). I try really hard to eat healthy (about 75% of the time). I crave things all the time. And I always think about food lol. I think I hit a plateau and needed the extra push. (I also stopped drinking soda like months ago) Day 1, 1 pill in the morning, hour of workout; 1 pill at lunch -- ate healthy throughout the day (skipped dinner dosage). Drank lots of water, no side affects.. just a little queasy in the morning, but it went away. appetite suppressed. Slept fine. Day 2, 1 pill in morning, exercised, 1 at lunch and 1 at dinner (4:30pm) Ate pretty healthy. I drank a ton of water. Ate dinner around 6-7pm and Im still full. WOW. + no side affects. Havent weighed myself yet. I usually go by how my jeans fit =) And I really wanna lose my love handles. ew. I'll update later.
posted Apr 2nd, 2008 7:00 ammeka baby
i agree ^^^^^^
posted Apr 1st, 2008 4:35 pmAnonomys
I hope this works....gotta look cute for the summer...
posted Apr 1st, 2008 10:04 amMarcin
HaHa Well got you know if its working great if you stopd eatin g bad and drinking soda which is probably the reason why you got fat...maybe try eating right and see what happens and then take hydroxycut
posted Mar 29th, 2008 8:08 pmMike F
I have been on Hydroxycut Hardcore for 3 months. Started out at 220lbs. now I am 196lbs. Cuting portions and elimanating sodas has help too.
posted Mar 26th, 2008 9:39 amStacey
I used hydroxycut in the pass and it worked really really. I didnt even eat better. I hate the same foods but just not eating that much any more. I was working as a tow truck driver and taking the pills at the same time and it made me sweat a lot. I think its the best one out there. I have went with other pills before but it was nothing. the only side effect that i really had was the face heart beat. But after awhile you cant even really tell anymore. I just went back and got a bottle last night so i can start back on it. This is def not a fake. Best one out there so far. Thank you
posted Mar 26th, 2008 9:39 amMissi
3/25/08 I started hydroxycut on Sunday. I feel like I have a little more energy than I used to and I am hardly ever hungry. I am having trouble sleeping at night though. The latest I take my last pill is 5:00 and I don't go to bed until 10:00. I don't know if it's because of the hydroxycut or stress. But other than that it seems good so far. Hopefully by next week I'll see a difference.
posted Mar 25th, 2008 8:31 pmchristina
To val - Hydroxycut is only for people who wants to lose at least 40 or more lbs to actual see results. all u need to do is run for a week or 2 and the weight will burn right off. Didi - Being 16 and taking this pill, you really need to consult with your doctor. ok back to me ;D UPDATE!!! 3-24-08 : I've been on the pills on and off for 3 weeks and so far i lost 11 lbs. At first you start losing your water weight and you see the inches shrink. but I didnt see any pounds leaving. but after being off hydroxycut for a week and weighin myself yesterday, i dropped 11 lbs. I went off it for a week because i saw tiny hairs growing under my chin and i got scared. i waxed it and im gonna go back on it to see if it was the pill that was the problem. Other than that, im barely hungry, im energetic, always in the gym 6 times a week. update you later <3
posted Mar 24th, 2008 6:40 pmjake.o
hydroxycut is not for everyone.. it may not agree with some people.. if you are getting side effects, stop taking it! try something else..
posted Mar 24th, 2008 8:35 am