Feb 1, 2025

Feb 1, 2025

Feb 1, 2025

A Ketone Ester Drink Lowers Human Ghrelin and Appetite

A Ketone Ester Drink Lowers Human Ghrelin and Appetite

A Ketone Ester Drink Lowers Human Ghrelin and Appetite

This human trial shows that a ketone ester drink can significantly suppress appetite by lowering levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. After consuming a ketone ester (KE) drink, participants reported reduced hunger and desire to eat compared to those given an isocaloric dextrose drink. Importantly, these effects occurred without increases in other satiety hormones like GLP-1 or PYY, suggesting a direct role of elevated ketones—specifically BHB—in appetite regulation. These findings support the use of ketones for appetite control, independent of traditional dietary strategies.

This human trial shows that a ketone ester drink can significantly suppress appetite by lowering levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin. After consuming a ketone ester (KE) drink, participants reported reduced hunger and desire to eat compared to those given an isocaloric dextrose drink. Importantly, these effects occurred without increases in other satiety hormones like GLP-1 or PYY, suggesting a direct role of elevated ketones—specifically BHB—in appetite regulation. These findings support the use of ketones for appetite control, independent of traditional dietary strategies.

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Summary of

A Ketone Ester Drink Lowers Human Ghrelin and Appetite

By

Brianna J. Stubbs

Brianna J. Stubbs

, et al.

, et al.

View Study PDF

Purpose

To determine whether exogenous ketones, delivered via a ketone ester drink, can reduce appetite by modulating hunger-related hormones—particularly ghrelin—in humans.

Methods

A single-blinded, crossover study in 15 healthy adults compared appetite and hormone responses to two drinks: one with ketone ester (1.9 kcal/kg) and another with isocaloric dextrose. Participants fasted overnight and then consumed either drink, with blood and appetite markers tracked over 4 hours.

Results

The KE drink raised blood BHB levels to 3.3 mM within an hour and reduced both hunger and desire to eat by ~50% for up to 4 hours compared to dextrose. Ghrelin levels remained significantly lower post-KE, while GLP-1 and PYY—typically elevated by food—were not increased. Insulin and glucose rose less with KE, suggesting appetite suppression was not due to traditional satiety signals.

Conclusion

Elevated ketones from a KE drink can directly reduce appetite in humans by suppressing ghrelin, independent of insulin, glucose, or GLP-1. This opens the door for ketone esters as tools for appetite control and dietary compliance, especially in weight loss contexts.

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Jan 1, 2021

Effects of a Ketone/Caffeine Supplement on Cycling and Cognitive Performance
This Ohio State University study explored whether a ketone-salt and caffeine supplement could enhance exercise and cognitive performance in healthy, non-keto-adapted adults. Twelve recreationally trained participants consumed either the supplement or water before cycling to exhaustion. The supplement raised ketone levels over twofold and significantly increased time to exhaustion by 8.3% and Wingate average power by 4.3%. No significant cognitive benefits were observed. The supplement was well tolerated, with no adverse GI events. These findings support the ergogenic use of ketone salts with caffeine for boosting high-intensity exercise performance.

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Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus
Billed as a medicinal mushroom for centuries, lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is now being studied for its brain‑boosting effects. In this double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial, 34 adults over 50 were randomized to take powdered H. erinaceus capsules or placebo for 12 weeks; 31 completed the study. Cognitive function was tested at the start, halfway, and end using the Mini Mental State Examination, Benton visual retention, and paired‑associate learning tests. Those who consumed the mushroom saw significant improvement and prevented decline in Mini Mental State scores compared with placebo. No serious side effects were reported, and researchers attribute benefits to neurotrophic compounds in the mushroom.

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Jan 1, 2021

Effects of a Ketone/Caffeine Supplement on Cycling and Cognitive Performance
This Ohio State University study explored whether a ketone-salt and caffeine supplement could enhance exercise and cognitive performance in healthy, non-keto-adapted adults. Twelve recreationally trained participants consumed either the supplement or water before cycling to exhaustion. The supplement raised ketone levels over twofold and significantly increased time to exhaustion by 8.3% and Wingate average power by 4.3%. No significant cognitive benefits were observed. The supplement was well tolerated, with no adverse GI events. These findings support the ergogenic use of ketone salts with caffeine for boosting high-intensity exercise performance.

Aug 1, 2019

Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus
Billed as a medicinal mushroom for centuries, lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is now being studied for its brain‑boosting effects. In this double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial, 34 adults over 50 were randomized to take powdered H. erinaceus capsules or placebo for 12 weeks; 31 completed the study. Cognitive function was tested at the start, halfway, and end using the Mini Mental State Examination, Benton visual retention, and paired‑associate learning tests. Those who consumed the mushroom saw significant improvement and prevented decline in Mini Mental State scores compared with placebo. No serious side effects were reported, and researchers attribute benefits to neurotrophic compounds in the mushroom.

Jan 1, 2021

Effects of a Ketone/Caffeine Supplement on Cycling and Cognitive Performance
This Ohio State University study explored whether a ketone-salt and caffeine supplement could enhance exercise and cognitive performance in healthy, non-keto-adapted adults. Twelve recreationally trained participants consumed either the supplement or water before cycling to exhaustion. The supplement raised ketone levels over twofold and significantly increased time to exhaustion by 8.3% and Wingate average power by 4.3%. No significant cognitive benefits were observed. The supplement was well tolerated, with no adverse GI events. These findings support the ergogenic use of ketone salts with caffeine for boosting high-intensity exercise performance.

Aug 1, 2019

Improvement of cognitive functions by oral intake of Hericium erinaceus
Billed as a medicinal mushroom for centuries, lion’s mane (Hericium erinaceus) is now being studied for its brain‑boosting effects. In this double‑blind, placebo‑controlled trial, 34 adults over 50 were randomized to take powdered H. erinaceus capsules or placebo for 12 weeks; 31 completed the study. Cognitive function was tested at the start, halfway, and end using the Mini Mental State Examination, Benton visual retention, and paired‑associate learning tests. Those who consumed the mushroom saw significant improvement and prevented decline in Mini Mental State scores compared with placebo. No serious side effects were reported, and researchers attribute benefits to neurotrophic compounds in the mushroom.
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If you want to restore your metabolic health, defeat that midday slump or achieve your personal best, Tecton Ketones is launching a range of specifically formulated products to help reach your goals.

If you want to restore your metabolic health, defeat that midday slump or achieve your personal best, Tecton Ketones is launching a range of specifically formulated products to help reach your goals.

If you want to restore your metabolic health, defeat that midday slump or achieve your personal best, Tecton Ketones is launching a range of specifically formulated products to help reach your goals.