Hydroxycut – Does it Help You Lose Weight? Is it Safe?

I’m sure we’ve all made a New Year’s resolution at least once that we’re going to start going to the gym once the new year begins and work out tirelessly every day until we get our dream “revenge” summer body. It’s a great thought on paper, however finding the motivation to actually go through with it can be a bit harder than expected, especially if you’re not a gym person.  Eventually, you get to a point where you’ve watched so many workout videos, tutorials, and motivational speeches that you get an instant boost of confidence and start believing that you too can be THAT person! And you can! However, big results require a lot of time, energy, stamina, and persistence – it’s a tough gig! Understandably, people try to find ways to achieve the desired results quicker, and one of the most sought methods is through the consumption of different kinds of supplements. There is one particular product on the market that is all the rage at the moment – Hydroxycut. Some people swear by it, and others despise it. It’s a product that makes big promises and causes an even bigger controversy. So, what exactly is Hydroxycut? What does it do, and how does it do it? And most importantly – is it safe? Keep reading to find the answers to all those questions based on our independent research.

What is Hydroxycut?

Credits: hydroxycut

Hydroxycut is currently America’s number 1 selling weight loss supplement brand.  They offer a wide range of products – sachets, capsules, and gummies, all aimed at helping you burn calories and lose weight quicker.

Active Ingredients in Hydroxycut

Credits: hydroxycutThe main ingredient in Hydroxycut that stimulates your metabolism, hence helps you lose weight, is canephora robusta (unroasted green robusta coffee bean extract). Other active ingredients that the supplements consist of are:

• Thiamin (Vitamin B1)
• Zinc
• Biotin
• Pantothenic Acid
• Malus pumila (apple cider vinegar)
• Prunus domestica (plum)
• Amomum cardamomum  (cardamom)
• Adansonia digitata (baobab extract)
• Vitamin D
• Vitamin K
• Vitamin A
• Vitamin E
• Vitamin B12

These active ingredients can be found in the whole Hydroxycut product range. One of their bestselling products, however, Hydroxycut Hardcore, also contains caffeine anhydrous, which is essentially raw caffeine powder. While it can give you a boost of adrenaline and dopamine, it’s not advised to be consumed by women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or if you have medical conditions such as diabetes, liver disease, or heart disease. Another ingredient that raises a high alert in the chemical compound of the Hydroxycut Hardcore pills is yohimbe. While it is known to promote weight loss, the FDA has reported many cases of seizures and kidney failure caused by the consumption of as little as 40 mg of yohimbe per day. Other common side effects are a rapid heartbeat, stomach disruption, high blood pressure, and anxiety.

How does Hydroxycut Work?

Credits: hydroxycut

The main ingredients of Hydroxycut believed to cause weight loss are canephora robusta and caffeine anhydrous. In a medical trial that was conducted in 2006, the company shared that during a 60-day testing period, the group that took green coffee bean extract (canephora robusta) lost twice as much weight as the other group that took a placebo pill. While this sounds incredibly auspicious, there is actually no real, published proof of this trial. Caffeine on the other hand is proven to boost metabolism rates, hence promoting weight loss. However, this is only a short-term effect, as your body becomes resistant to it with time. Sure, you can up the dosage, but that would be a major health hazard as high dosages of caffeine can cause irregular heartbeat which can lead to other complications. These two active ingredients may help you lose some weight in the long run, but you need to be careful about the dosages and preferably consult with your doctor or a dietary specialist before you begin to take these supplements in order to avoid the unwanted side effects.

Credits: hydroxycut

What are the Side Effects of Hydroxycut?

Hydroxycut certainly hasn’t had a smooth sailing journey on the market. First, they were pulled out of the market in 2002 and then brought the product back with a new formula two years later. Unfortunately, one of the active ingredients – ephedra – which is proven to cause seizures, and heart problems leading to serious complications. Another reformulation of the supplements was put into fruition in 2009 because of several cases of liver failure and fatal ends. The formula of the current Hydroxycut seems to be much better, however, you still need to be wary of some of the side effects. Depending on which product you choose to use, you need to pay attention to the amount of coffee each sachet or tablet contains. The healthy amount of caffeine recommended to the average person is 15 mg/kg. The Hydroxycut tablets contain between 200 – 265 mg of caffeine, depending on the product type. This means that taking Hydroxycut more than twice, or even two times a day, will deliver to your body a toxic amount of caffeine that can lead to negative side effects such as fatigue, abdominal pain, anxiety, nausea, and strong headaches.