Shed the weight, look young…
Capsaicins are found in chilli pepper and have been linked to weight-loss, but research in Japan recently showed how other properties found in raspberries have similar effects to those in chilli peppers. Raspberry ketone extract is a supplement that shares a similar chemical make-up to capsaicins. Scientists in Japan found that animals who were given the extract did not gain as much weight as those that weren’t given it. This happens because the substance encourages cells to use up fat stores. Although this can be good news if we’re trying to lose weight, researchers also found that the extract could have an impact on our appearance – potentially making us look younger.
Anti-ageing qualities
In other studies looking at raspberry ketone extract, the researchers looked at how it changed skin cells. When we lose our hair it’s not always due to ageing and hormone sensitivity, with some of us suffering from alopecia. The scientists applied cream containing the compound to the skin of people with alopecia. They found that after a five month period, 50 per cent of the participants saw hair growth returning. As well as encouraging our follicles to produce more hair, the extracts can also bring elasticity back to skin, which becomes less firm as we get older. Scientists working on the study reported that the compound had this effect on those taking part in the study. This means that raspberry ketone extract could help us lose weight, while also improving hair growth and making our skin more elastic.