Conclusion: Our Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite review gives this product 3 stars largely because of its price – it’s damn cheap; less than $20.00 at Amazon.
But otherwise?
Meh. Combine a great freakin’ truckload of caffeine with an ingredient that’s effects have been largely discredited (green coffee), add in a couple of ingredients that have no perceptible effect on the formula at the dosage they’re included at, and bada-bing, bada boom…
… you’ve got the newest offering from Muscle Tech.
Purchase: Under $20 on Amazon.com!
Here’s the “Quick and Dirty” on the Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite Review (Svetol Green Coffee Bean Extract Formula) review:
- Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite Review: The Introduction.
- Video: Are Fat Burners “worth it”?
- What’s in it? The Ingredients.
- Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite side effects?
- Testimonials, results and feedback: what are people saying about this product?
- Bottom line: Our recommendation!
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Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite Review: The Introduction
Hydroxycut is one of the most recognized brands in over the counter weight loss supplements and fat burners. The original Hydroxcut was based on the ephedra / caffeine / aspirin stack and was a hugely popular product.
Now of course, with ephedra being illegal in the U.S., Hydroxycut formulas no longer contain it. Instead, there have been umpteen versions of the product released over the last decade.
Indeed the only thing conistent about the formulas is that they are always changing (except for the massive amount of caffeine Hydroxycut products contain. That’s stayed consistent at least).
This varation of the product stays true to this theme.
Return to Quick & Dirty Overview
Video: Are Fat Burners Worth It?
Return to Quick & Dirty Overview
Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite Review: The Ingredients
Caffeine: 270 mg
A standard ingredient in most fat burners, caffeine provides a boost of energy and elevates the metabolism. Nevertheless, it’s a relatively small boost – about 3-4%, although it may be twice as much in lean individuals.
There’s nearly 300 mg of caffeine is packed into a single 2-capsule serving, the equivalent of just under 3 cups of coffee. While under the top safety limit of 400 mg / day, this still represents only half a daily dose. Yes…
At a full dose (2 caps, 2 times daily) you’ll be taking in an astounding 540 mg of caffeine. To make consuming such a large amount of caffeine more manageable, Muscle Tech recommends that you slowly increase the dosage over a 7 day period. You’ll start taking a single pill once a day and by the end of the week, you’ll be up to 4 per day.
At any rate, it won’t suprise you to learn that its high caffeine content means Hydroxycut is not ideal for anyone with high blood pressure or heart issues.
Green coffee: 200 mg (providing 45% chlorogenic acid)
A few years back, green coffee bean extract burst into the spotlight, thanks to a showcase on the Dr. Oz Show where its weight loss benefits were touted by Oz’s “expert”, Dr. Lindsey Duncan. Fast forward to a few years later…
- Dr. Oz had his a** handed to him in a Senate Subcommittee on Consumer Protection, where he was accused of perpetuating weight loss scams.
- Oz’s “green coffee expert” has been fined $9 million by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission for falsely claiming that green coffee bean supplements cause significant and rapid weight loss. He’s also been charged by the Texas Attorney General’s Office for claiming to be a doctor – when he isn’t one.
- The study that was used to substantiate green coffee’s incredible weight loss claims has been retracted; the Federal Trade Commission alleged “the study was so hopelessly flawed that no reliable conclusions could be drawn from it.”
At the end of the day, most of the people and the science supporting green coffee have been largely discredited. However, one in-house human study confirms green coffee’s effect on weight loss (conducted by the folks who manufacture the Svetol green coffee extract used in this product, so take it with a grain of salt), as do a couple of animal based studies, so it’s possible it offers some benefit.
Until we have independent confirmation of its effects though, you can stick a fork in green coffee extract – it’s done.
Coleus extract: 100 mg (as Coleus Forskohlii root)
Coleus forskohlii, when properly dosed and standardized, can help with both weight loss and maintaining serum testoterone levels.
The proper dosage, according to the study, is 250 mg of 10% forskolin extract taken twice a day. This product significantly underdosed, which is a shame.
L-Theanine: 100 mg
An amino acid found in green tea, l-theanine has a relaxing effect on humans (without making you sleepy) and when stacked with caffeine, has a positive effect on mood and cognitive performance.
The dose found here corresponds to the range used to obtain these effects, so that’s a good thing.
Coca extract (standardized for theobromine) 100mg
Theobromine is related to caffeine, but has less intense stimulant effects. There are no clinical studies validating it effects on weight loss.
Yohimbe extract: 56.3 mg
A tree indigenous to Western Africa – called “Pausinystalia yohimbe” – contains the alkaloid yohimbine.
Yohimbine hydrochloride is sold as a prescription drug for erectile dysfunction. Yohimbine is also used to dry mouth and is commonly found in natural sexual enhancement products. Its use has been associated with number of side effects (discussed below), and should be avoided by individuals with hypotension (low blood pressure), diabetes, and heart, liver or kidney disease.
There are a number of older studies that demonstrate a small effect on weight loss, but I suspect the main reason why it is added to products is because its an ingredient you can “feel.”
This gives consumers the perception the product is “working” even though it doesn’t mean anything of the sort.
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Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite Side Effects
As you know, this version of Hydroxycut (Svetol Green Coffee Bean Extract Formula) contains a TON of caffeine, which is going to be the cause of most of the side effects associated with this product. Common caffeine-related issues include…
Problems sleeping
Restlessness
Anxiety
Trouble focusing
Withdrawl headaches after finishing the product
It also contains yohimbe, which has been associated with these side effects…
Irregular heartbeat
Anxiety, nervousness or irritablity
Headaches
The combination of yohimbe and caffeine may be especially problematic for sensitive individuals.
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Results, Testimonials and Comments
Image courtesy of Amazon.com
I’m always hesitant to discuss testimonials and reported results, because they are the most unreliable way to gauge the value of any product.
Easy to Manipulate
That’s because in the online environment nothing can authenticated. To make matters worse, it’s very easy to create an artificially inflated perception of your product – testimonials can be bought cheaply and in bulk, which means it’s very easy for any retailer to make it look like they have legions of dedicated product fans who are experiencing incredible results. Not saying that’s the case here… but it does happen.
Unreliable Witnesses
And then there’s the fact that we humans are unreliable witnesses – some folks will continue eating poorly and overconsuming calories and claim the product doesn’t work. Others will diet and exercise and attribute their success solely to the product. Neither feedback provides an accurate assessment of the products`s value.
A Reasonable Overview
Nevertheless, when you can review a HUGE amount of feedback, especially on a site like Amazon.com (which attempts to prevent bogus reviews) it’s likely you’ll receive a fairly reasonable overview of what you can expect with this product.
And in this case, the feedback is pretty much exactly what I`d expect given the amount of caffeine included – some folks found the huge blast of energy motivating and helpful for obtaining their goals, and others found it way too intense, and a select few apparently wound up in the hospital (again we have no way to authenticate this, but it’s not unreasonable to assume some severe incidences).
In other words, whether it`s helpful or not really depends on your tolerance for stimulants and what you are looking for in a weight loss supplement.
Return to Quick & Dirty Overview
Conclusion: Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite Review
Since the beginning of the ephedra ban, Muscle tech has been fueling its fat burners with massive amounts of caffeine.
That trend continues here.
Our Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite Review concludes by giving this product 3 stars mainly because of its low cost. Other than its caffeine content, the ingredients profile is a little on the weak side. Green coffee may offer some small benefit, but there is no peer-reviewed, human-based independent data to confirm this, and yohimbe… it`s been around for ages and never set the world on fire with its fat burning abilities.
Still, all is not lost. If you’re looking for the type of product that will get you super-jacked while not breaking the bank, then maybe this is the weight loss supplement for you.
You can purchase direct from Amazon.com.
Have used this product? Leave your comments and feedback below. We’d love to hear from you!
