Raspberry Ketone vs. African Mango: Which Is Best for Weight Loss

Since 2012, Raspberry Ketone supplements have been occupying the top spot in the United States among natural weight loss supplements, while African Mango supplements have remained a strong but close second while leading internationally. But which is best for weight loss?

But first, some background. Raspberry Ketones caught fire after being touted on a popular TV show in the U.S. in April 2012 when the substance was characterized as “the #1 miracle in a bottle” by a popular TV doctor on his TV show. And in 2011, a clinical study was released showing successful weight loss results from African mango extract supplements for the study participants who did not change their diet or exercise routines.

So what does this all mean and which one is best? According to the website of the company that created the popular product “Raspberry Ketone Max”, their product helps lose weight, increase metabolism, increase fat oxidation, fight fatigue and increase energy. They claim studies performed on rats on high fat diets were done to demonstrate these results. On the popular TV doctor’ s television program, before and after photos were displayed showing impressive results for subjects taking raspberry ketone supplements.

In the case of African mango extract, there was a clinical research study done on humans which successfully demonstrated weight loss. According to the website from the same company, which also produces the product African Mango Plus, a study published in the medical journal “Lipids in Health and Disease” summarized a study conducted on 102 people split between those taking the African Mango and those taking the placebo. According to the study, taking African Mango resulted in “Significant improvements in body weight, body fat, and waist circumference. African Mango (Irvingia gabonensis) administered 150 mg twice daily before meals to overweight and/or obese human volunteers favorably impacts body weight and a variety of parameters characteristic of the metabolic syndrome.”

There is no shortage of hype surrounding both of these substances and there is some interesting and encouraging science emerging, too. But, it seems that more research needs to be done and the science is in its early stages. Folks struggling with excess weight may find help by using these products, but improved diet and physical activity would probably be the best starting point on the road to weight loss.