“Keto gummies claim that they can promote energy, focus and weight loss, but there isn’t any scientific evidence to support these claims,” says Woods. “The safety and efficacy of the use of exogenous ketones in the form of beta-hydroxybutyrate (D-BHB) has not been documented in scientific literature.”
While there isn’t much out there in terms of research on specific keto gummies and the different forms and doses of exogenous ketones they contain, there have been a few small studies done on D-BHB supplements in general, and other foods that can increase ketones in the body.
In a small 2020 pilot study looking at how the body metabolizes exogenous ketones like those included in some keto gummies, people taking D-BHB supplements had higher blood levels of ketones right after consumption (though ketone levels came back to a normal baseline a few hours later). While the brain uses ketones instead of glucose as an alternate fuel source, when ketone concentrations are increased, this study found that the heart and kidney utilized exogenous ketones more than the brain.
Another small study from 2019 found that people with mild cognitive impairment who consumed 30 grams of medium-chain triglycerides, molecules that are metabolized into ketones, for six months experienced improvements in cognition, including memory, language, executive function and processing speed.
However, more research is needed to understand the effects of D-BHB in keto gummies on the body.
It’s also important to note that no singular form or dosage has been used across the board when it comes to D-BHB supplements, making it even harder to understand the benefits of taking them.
While a review of studies around apple cider vinegar—an ingredient that’s often added to keto gummies—shows this ingredient may help lower total cholesterol and blood sugar levels, it’s hard to know if the amount of apple cider vinegar in these supplements provides any sort of benefit.
