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.
EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results, our experts recommend using weight loss pills for at least 3 months. Save your money by buying a few bottles at once.
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 9 of 41, 802 total comments)maraget
it sucks
posted Mar 20th, 2009 9:06 amMary- Ann
+I am on my 7th day using the 7 day cleanse, and I must say, I have more energy than ever imagined. I've lost at least 5 pounds, and I feel absolutely great! Tomorrow I will begin the Hydroxycut pills. I will recommend to anyone who begins any "diet", to detox first in order to give your body a chance to get ready for the new alteration.
posted Mar 19th, 2009 1:53 pmCass
+I've been using hydoxycut for 3 weeks. I like the energy that it gives me. I got headaches the first day or two. but it was nothing. i have already lost two inches of my waist. My boyfriend can see a difference.I highly reccommend hydroxycut. i just cut my food portions in half,with hydroxycut i feel full all the time.but,thirsty all the time.
posted Mar 18th, 2009 9:19 amArun Narang
Today Only I started this. I am sure this will work. My weight is 201lbs and my height is 177cm. anybody can advice me for diet,
posted Mar 17th, 2009 7:38 amjay
can someone tell me if i can take hydroxycut with muscektech's anator since i have it...or it will be a disaster for my body
posted Mar 16th, 2009 6:38 pmlgsd
+I have been taking this since last Sunday. As of this morning I have lost 8lbs. I have had jitters, headache and a floaty feeling. all of which seems to go away after about 45 min. of taking it. I have not excerised other than running and playing with the children I work with. So far so good. I need to loose about 50 more lbs. I guess I will see what next week brings, hopefully 8 more shed.
posted Mar 14th, 2009 9:59 amMichelle
+I used this for about 3 weeks and I lost 19 lbs. From 140 to 121 lbs!!!! Excersise & Diet works but think about those skinny people who eats lot. They metabolises fast so they still get to be skinny. Hydroxicut fastens your metabolism and gives you energy to burn them. I still crave for food but I can control it just keep in mind that the more you eat, the longer you have to work out in the gym.. =)
posted Mar 13th, 2009 12:59 pmLaToya
I am going to get me a bottle today and, the no caffiene kind. I will post to let you all know how it goes.
posted Mar 13th, 2009 9:50 amKay
I bought it a week ago. I like the results, but hate the side effects. Like everything else, it comes with a price. I've lost 5lbs in one week and plan on loosing 15-20lbs more to get me to my ideal weight. Side effects include a funny feeling in my throat and chest at times and lightheadedness, if I don't eat. It definitely curbs my appetite, but you have to eat to maintain sufficient caloric intake. Exercizing does make me feel better. I haven't experience the headaches and hope not to. I do hope the funny feelings in my throat and chest eventually goes away. So far, I'm skeptial and hope it works without paying a dare cost.
posted Mar 12th, 2009 10:49 pmVicky
I'll believe it when I see it.
posted Mar 12th, 2009 9:57 pmI have been taking this since Monday. It's now Thursday. I decided to try it because I have been dieting with Weight Watchers since October 2008. Weight Watchers works great but I hit my plateau and have been stuck for a month and a half at the same weight and still stand to lose 10 to 15 lbs to be at my goal weight.
I haven't had any of the side effects of jitters, headaches, sleeplessness... I eat within the 30-60 minutes after taking it, and drink 8 oz when I take it. Obviously already on a low-cal diet with Weight Watchers, and I workout regularly.
If this pill works like it says it does, I will see results and it wont be the placebo effect, since my diet and working out were in effect before I started taking this. Haven't weighed myself yet, I don't want to be a slave to the scale.
Will update here if I like it or don't.
gaby
+i am 18 years old and i got hydroxycut two days ago and start taking them yesterday and already lost about 5 pounds i was really happy to see the results in just two days.
posted Mar 12th, 2009 8:56 pmHappyinCMH
+55 year old male started taking it two weeks ago and have lost 7 lbs. Now get this, no exercise other than walking a lot at work. Had sleeping problems the first few days and bought a bottle of the no caffeine to take with the dinner dose. Sleeping problem solved. Am starting three times a week cardio workout. Will let you know if that kick starts more weightloss. Maybe placebo effect, but it seems to have cut my appetite. If it's placebo though, who cares, it's working
posted Mar 12th, 2009 1:34 pmHappyinCMH
+55 year old male started taking it two weeks ago and have lost 7 lbs. Now get this, no exercise other than walking a lot at work. Had sleeping problems the first few days and bou
posted Mar 12th, 2009 1:34 pmPatricia
okay so i just started taking it.. i havent eaten anything yet because it says to drink first then eat u know after like a half hour or soo. but whwat i was wondering can u drink hydroxycut with food or no? does anyone know..
posted Mar 12th, 2009 10:57 amJudy
Just started today, on Hydroxycut Green tea. I just need a jump start again. I not feel good about myself. I put on about 20 lbs. and I am always tired, I will start exerising this wee and eating better, I will let you know the result in about four weeks
posted Mar 11th, 2009 5:32 pmAdam
+I've had a great experience. I've been taking Hydroxycut for about three weeks now. I started with the "energy shots" and the moved to the pills. It basically just kills all my hunger. The first few times I took it, it felt like I had drank a lot of coffee, but now I can't feel any side effects. I think its important that you ease yourself into it (as the bottle directs you to). I've lost a lot of fat and retained muscle. I'm very happy!
posted Mar 11th, 2009 12:00 pmdominic
+Awesome used it one week im a full time college student and a full time worker. i was really down on energy from work and school and if i did work out i was not benefitting from weak workouts. Im the week i have dropped 8 pounds and it really has controled my appetite which was my big problem and i got a headache the first couple of days but after that i been awesome more energy than i had in highschool when i had no responsibilty. Also i bought the target one and it was only $17 bucks
posted Mar 11th, 2009 1:37 amRiaan Uys
+I have been on this for 2 years now. Lost all the weight I wanted in the beginning and now use it to keep it down. I eat well and exercise a few times a week... No bad headaches. No tiolet issues like some say. My forst day is always a bit rough in the sense that I feel over charged... but fine. I take a week off every month to clear my system then get back on. Good stuff... Won't try anything else
posted Mar 10th, 2009 5:42 pmHeather
-the side effects from this drug are a nightmare!! My Headaches were so intense, i thought about going to the hospital. I almost lost my boyfriend, because i was so grumpy, and mood swingy, and not myself. I had tremors in my hands. I cant exercise because if i do anything phsically demanding my heart rate goes crazy high, and i feel faint. I haven't taken the pills in 3 days and my symptoms have not improved, i am afraid for my health. AVOID THIS DRUG... IT IS SCARY!!!!
posted Mar 10th, 2009 1:18 ami'm only 24 and i was just trying to lose 10 pounds...
Ashly
-It's awful. and doesnt make any sense. Just exercise and eat healthy and you get the same result. Why do you guys think you can come up with random ideas and expect to get a lot of money and be rich. You guys are lying, so what ever happend to customer satisfaction and being truthful to the customer.
posted Mar 9th, 2009 12:14 pm