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Do fat burners really work? Comparison of 21 studies
April 16, 2024
Do fat burners really work?
Fat burner supplements can be found everywhere. On supermarket shelves, in pharmacies, in nutritional supplement stores. They are sold as the miracle solution for losing weight quickly. But I won't be fooled anymore.
I'm tired of their tempting promises, of the colorful labels that advertise almost magical properties. "Accelerate your metabolism and melt away excess fat!" call. But, is this really the truth? I have learned to be skeptical.
What exactly is a fat burner supplement? A composition or mixture of natural or synthetic ingredients designed to increase fat burning in the body. They often contain caffeine, plant extracts such as green tea, garcinia cambogia, chili. All combined with vitamins and amino acids to project a healthier image. Not to be confused with diuretic preparations, which can have significant diuretic effects to eliminate excess fluid.
What is the thermogenic principle?
The theory behind it is simple: These products are intended to stimulate metabolism and thermogenesis, i.e. the body's heat production. This would cause you to burn more calories and fat for energy production. An enticing concept that awakens our innate hope of losing weight without much effort.
Some of these plants are even advertised as being able to interfere with the absorption or storage of lipids in the body. This prevents them from accumulating as fat. Another promise that is particularly attractive for those who want to lose weight on their stomach or thighs.
These “weight loss elixirs” are often recommended to be used in conjunction with a low-calorie diet. The idea is that they accelerate fat loss while preserving valuable muscle mass. A goal that is not always easy to achieve when following a restrictive diet.
But beyond all the conversations and appealing advertisements, the question remains: Do these supplements really work? I began to have doubts after being blinded too often by the lure of “miracle-working” pills and powders.
Scientific Evidence for the Ineffectiveness of Fat Burner Supplements
Too often I have blindly believed the exaggerated claims of salespeople and the testimonies of supposed “success victims”. But then science opened my eyes. A 2021 study, a systematic review and meta-analysis published in BMC Complementary Medicine and Therapies by James E. Clark and Sarah Welch of the University of New Mexico, analyzed the results of as many as 21 scientific studies on the actual effectiveness of these " fat burning supplements. All studies were conducted in overweight or obese subjects for at least 8 weeks. The goal? To evaluate whether these products actually promote overall body weight loss and fat loss, as well as improve health parameters such as cholesterol and basal metabolic rate.
The results were compared to people who simply dieted or exercised without taking any supplements. And what did it turn out to be? Nothing at all! Sure, the thermogenic and fat burner supplements appeared to have a marginal benefit on body mass and fat stores. But the 95% confidence interval of the effect size (the statistical effect size) crossed zero for every variable considered. Translation? No real, noticeable and statistically significant benefit as reported in the study.
The coup de grace came from direct comparison with people who had lost weight simply by adopting a healthier lifestyle. Low-calorie diet and regular exercise, without any mixtures. Well, these approaches proved significantly more effective at promoting weight loss and fat loss, as well as reducing cardiometabolic risk factors.
Compared to the miraculous supplements, a balanced diet and exercise have delivered robust and proven results. A cold shower for someone like me who was hoping for an easy shortcut to get back in shape after the struggles of motherhood.
The study authors were clear: From the available data, there are extremely limited benefits from taking these thermogenic and fat burner diet supplements. Yet they are advertised as a panacea for shedding excess pounds!
Companies rely on sensationalistic and misleading claims by highlighting almost miraculous properties of these products. But the reality is completely different. Science has classified these "magic" pills as completely ineffective, as the study concluded.
Fantastic ingredients in fat burner miracle cures
But what are the ingredients in these supplements that are touted as being so effective? Many of them contain a mixture of plants, herbs and natural substances that are said to have amazing fat-burning and metabolism-stimulating properties.
One of the most common plants in these slimming products is undoubtedly green tea. This drink, rich in polyphenols such as catechins, has long been celebrated for its potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory effects and ability to promote energy expenditure and thermogenesis. But scientific studies that have evaluated its effectiveness in promoting fat loss have produced mixed results. Some studies suggest a slight benefit, while others have found no significant impact. In short, nothing decisive.
Another popular ingredient is Garcinia cambogia, a tropical plant whose active ingredient, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), is said to be an inhibitor of fat accumulation and fatty acid production. It's just a shame that the evidence for this assumption is really sparse. Most well-conducted studies have found no significant effect on body composition associated with taking this exotic plant.
But there is one ingredient that is never missing from these mixtures: caffeine. Often extracted from mate or guarana, in addition to its presence in green tea. This stimulant is known to increase energy levels, mental focus and thermogenesis, the body's heat production. Some studies suggest that caffeine may actually promote a slight increase in calorie expenditure. However, the effects on long-term weight loss are generally modest and not clinically relevant unless combined with a low-calorie diet and regular exercise.
What other plants are said to burn fat?
Other plants commonly found in these supplements include chili, whose capsaicin is said to slightly stimulate metabolism, glucomannan, which may promote longer-lasting satiety, cinnamon, said to help regulate blood sugar levels, and rhubarb, which acts as a mild diuretic to increase excretion of excess fluid. However, there is also a lack of solid and consistent evidence that these ingredients have any significant effect on fat loss.
It is important to emphasize that even if some of these natural active ingredients have modest fat-burning or metabolism-stimulating effects, they are not comparable to those that can be achieved through an active lifestyle and a healthy, low-calorie diet. A balanced diet rich in fiber, protein and with controlled calorie intake, combined with regular aerobic and strength training, provides significantly superior benefits.
Should I buy a fat burner or not?
In conclusion, despite the tantalizing promises of the effectiveness of fat burner supplements, based primarily on the presence of natural ingredients and plants with supposed slimming properties, the scientific evidence for these effects is far from convincing.
While mild thermogenic activities are plausible, these products certainly cannot replace a holistic approach that includes a healthy, low-calorie diet and regular exercise. The final effect on fat loss therefore remains extremely limited.
So, dear friends, the next time you come across those colorful packages in the supermarket or at the gym that promise to slim you down in no time, don't be fooled! Remember that the secret of a perfect figure lies not in slimming pills, but in a healthy and active life every day. And if you're looking for help draining excess fluid, I recommend this Moringa-based drainage treatment.
Don't know what moringa is? Find out more about it here: What is Moringa?