Raspberry ketone

Raspberry ketone is a natural phenolic compound that is the primary aroma compound of red raspberries. It is used in perfumery, in cosmetics, and as a food additive to impart a fruity odor.

In plants, raspberry ketone is synthesized from coumaroyl-CoA. But since the natural abundance of raspberry ketone is very low, it is prepared industrially by a variety of methods from chemical intermediates.

When given to mice in high doses (up to 2% of food intake), raspberry ketone has been shown to prevent high-fat-diet-induced elevations in body weight. This effect is reported to stem from the alteration of lipid metabolism, increasing norepinephrine-induced lipolysis. Although products containing this compound are marketed for weight loss, this effect has not been demonstrated in humans. The Federal Trade Commission recommends against the use of such "miracle diet" products.