How Much Weight Can You Lose in a Week Using Hydroxycut?

Online retailers, health food stores and even food chains are stocked full of diet pills. One supplement that makes claims of weight loss is Hydroxycut. Their categories range from weight loss and premium weight loss to non-stimulant and sport, so doing your research prior to purchasing is key.

Hydroxycut is a dietary supplement that features products claiming weight loss, extra energy and improved exercise and athletic performance. It comes in both stimulant and non-stimulant formulas.

The categories include weight loss, ultra-lean, premium weight loss, non-stimulant and sport. According to the Q&A section on its website, the company claims that the key ingredient, C. canephora robusta, is a weight loss ingredient backed by two scientific studies.

While their premium ingredient may sound fancy, it's really just one of the other names for green coffee bean extract, which includes the seeds or beans of the coffee plant, according to the National Institutes of Health. Further, the National Institutes of Health reports that even though there may be possible, modest effects on body weight, the few clinical trials performed are all of poor methodological quality.

In addition to C. canephora robusta, the Pro Clinical Hydroxycut weight loss line also contains vitamin D, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and B12, and coffee extract that supplies 200 milligrams of caffeine per 2 capsule serving. But it's the Hydroyxcut Weight Loss Blend that makes up the bulk of the ingredients. Besides C. canephora robusta, it also includes a proprietary blend of apple cider vinegar, plum, baobab extract and cardamom.

Read more: The Ultimate Guide to Fat Loss

The promise of weight loss simply by popping two pills a day is a common statement made by many companies that manufacture supplements. However, the Mayo Clinic reminds you that there is no such thing as a magic bullet for weight loss.

While the Hydroxycut website does not list any specific claims of weight loss, and more specifically promises of losing a certain amount in one week, they do reference various studies supporting their claims of weight loss from taking C. canephora robusta. However, one study they reference links right back to their website.

Based on customer reviews, many people say they've lost weight. The average loss, according to the reviews on their site range from 5 to 10 pounds in one month. What's difficult to know is exactly how these people lost weight. Customer reviews and testimonials do not provide an accurate way to account for changes to diet, an increase in exercise or other causes of weight loss.

Read more: How Weight Loss Really Works

Before getting into the reported and potential side effects of Hydroxcut, it's important to point out that the U.S. Food and Drug Association does not review or approve a dietary weight loss supplement's marketing claims for safety or effectiveness before the product hits the market. In other words, you need to do your own research on the ingredients and talk with your doctor or other healthcare professionals before taking this supplement.

Caffeine is one of the ingredients in Hydroxycut. If you take their daily recommended dose, you will get 200 milligrams of caffeine from their supplement. While this is under the maximum amount of caffeine, which is 400 milligrams, you may still experience side effects.

The Mayo Clinic says that even some caffeine can make certain people experience side effects such as insomnia and restlessness. Once you reach or exceed the maximum level of 400 milligrams, other side effects are possible including migraines, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, stomach upset, fast heartbeat and muscle tremors.

Additionally, the Cleveland Clinic says that some ingredients in weight loss or thermogenic supplements claim to increase urination or bowel movements, stimulate the central nervous system or increase serotonin levels, which could pose a problem for anyone with certain health conditions.