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.
Stimulant free options are available, and the 2024 supplement of the year is called Sletrokor.
There’s only natural ingredients added to this blend, with the ability to suppress appetite, increase metabolism, and improve mood. Many users have left great testimonials showcasing how effective and safe it is. This supplement has no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or stimulants of any kind.
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User Feedback
(Page 34 of 41, 802 total comments)Alex
I've been an on and off hydroxycut user for a year now and I must say that this product does work. At first I was very skeptical because I normally don't trust pills but at a certain point in my life I became desperate and decided to pop these bad boys. Overall I lost 60 lbs over the span of 5 months. I ate right and exercised my ass off daily. For those of you afraid of the side effects, I wouldn't worry too much. The only ones I experienced was having trouble falling asleep and a little bit of constipation but that was probably due to lack of fiber in my diet. Don't be afraid to use them because any fear you have right now you will soon forget. But... be careful of the Hydroxycut farts.... they are deadly.
posted Mar 23rd, 2008 6:53 pmJake
I'm on the second time of day four and i have knowist that i have more energy and my stomach is getting smaller even this earily i haven't look at the scale yet and i goona in 2 weeks. i just got back to doing my work out and i am doing much more reps and stuff like that. i am doing 150 crunchs a day. the funny thing is that i like the taste of the pills when i take them i'm like yum and then the go down my throat really easily and even when i'm taking two pills
posted Mar 22nd, 2008 7:13 pmLindsay
i just started taking the product i feel that it does make u less hungry b/c b4 i couldn't stop eating now i dont even really think of food as i did b4 but my question is i take other thing like one a day womens and fish oils and this green tea stuff i don't take them all the same time but i'm still wondering if its bad to take them all the same day????/
posted Mar 22nd, 2008 7:13 pmDiDi
i just started last night. i had so much energy and i didnt even have the urge to cheat at all and thats my biggest problem. Im so excited to continue this product.. BUT i just turned 16. is this bad for my age?
posted Mar 22nd, 2008 12:10 pmVal
I am trying to lose 5lbs. I have been eating healty and going to the gym about 4x a week, but see no real results. Will this pill work for me?
posted Mar 19th, 2008 2:12 pmDerrick
3/17/08 - Just bought the Hydroxycut Hardcore today. Took the first pill in the afternoon and ready to hit the gym tonight... will update on how it goes. I've been working out (wieghts and cardio), eating healthy but just hit a plateau at 193.... target is 175. Hope this works!
posted Mar 17th, 2008 5:07 pmAshley
I just started Hydroxycut after 3 family members and a friend raved about it. I tried Slimquick first and noticed my water weight went down, but this works so much better. In the first 3 days i already lost 4 lbs. I write down everything I eat and the calories. I haven't had any side effects and the caffine does not bother me. I work at a well known coffee shop so instead of the espresso pick me up I get it from the pills. I only recommend this for those who use it safely and eat a balanced diet and do some sort of activity throughout the day. After going through many life changing events in the last year I have gained 30 lbs and only need to lose 47 more to go!
posted Mar 17th, 2008 5:07 pmanonymous
does anyone know if this affects your reproductive harmones?
posted Mar 17th, 2008 8:59 amPatel
I Have been Using this product for while and i can tell u this that it works better than other products. U can Multiply the effects by double if you work out hardcore
posted Mar 13th, 2008 9:56 amgiselle
I hope this works! I'm going to start tomorrow!!! I only have about 10 pounds left... I'm 5'8" and started at 167 and am currently at 150, I work out 5-6 days a week and watch my caloric intake! BUT I have hit a plateau. I'm ALWAYS hungry, I don't know if it's from the hour and a half-two hours of exercise 5-6 days/week or what! But I really hope this stuff helps me reach my goal... Keeping my fingers crossed and my mind on track!
posted Mar 12th, 2008 9:08 amSamantha
I just bought my hydroxycut, and I'm stoked to use it, I am just wondering, if I'm too hyped up to sleep after using it durng the day... can I take my perscribed sleeping pills...?
posted Mar 11th, 2008 10:20 am~Michelle is back~
I used it for 2 weeks. Just ain't working for me! Good luck to you.
posted Mar 11th, 2008 10:20 amMichelle
Been taking the pill since 3/3/08. I don't exercise a LOT, but we also bought a Wii and I've been playing Wii sports in the evening with my family. Appetite definately suppressed! I have more energy. I pretty much only drink water as a rule anyway, but I'm definately thirstier and have to keep water with me at all times. No signifigant side effects and in the one week I've been taking it I've lost 5 lbs.
posted Mar 11th, 2008 10:20 amDawn
If your already going to gym 5x a week, doing both weights and cardio, along with eating healthy foods, will this product make a difference?
posted Mar 11th, 2008 10:20 amtom
its great
posted Mar 9th, 2008 9:00 pmKim
I love this product. I've been on Weight Watchers for 5 weeks, losing less than a pound a week, even with exercising. I added hydroxycut to my regimin and I have the energy to work out longer and I'm more energetic. I haven't weighed myself yet, I'm saving that as a treat for Friday. Everyone on WW disagrees with my usage, but I don't care. I don't get dizzy or jumpy and I sleep well at night. I think the secret to avoiding that is LOTS of water and not taking it 4-6 hrs before you go to bed.
posted Mar 8th, 2008 6:01 pmDana
Hydroxy cut works amazingly! I used it for 3 months and lost 30 pds with no exercisie or dieiting. I would recomend this pill to anyone!
posted Mar 8th, 2008 6:01 pmChristina
3-6-08 : I sleep great, I dont feel sick nor dizzy and i feel great. You must drink ur 8 bottles of water. Ull feel good afterwards. Great appetite suppressor. Lost 4lbs so far. just gradually take the pill. Do not jump instantly to the max. dosage. Ill update later.
posted Mar 7th, 2008 9:05 amChristina
3/4/08 - Today is day 3 of my diet program and its mixed. On the first day i had no problems or symptoms, but sleeping was rough. every 30 minutes i keep waking up. it does surpress ur diet and u get a lot of energy once u hit the gym. But on day 2-3 i gotten just a little dizzy, after i ate i felt sick and my chest hurt a little. I have low blood pressure so it brings it to the normal range. but my pulse per minute is 70-90 beats. is that normal? Im goin to weigh myself later so ill update you on that
posted Mar 4th, 2008 4:28 pmDiana
Is it true that one of the side effects of the Hydroxycut provoke the break out of acne?????? And what could be the risk of a minor from taking the capsules? I am just 17 but I wanna loss my exeded pounds!!!!! I need tips and info, thank you
posted Mar 4th, 2008 7:20 am