The keto diet is known as one of the strictest approaches to weight management. By eliminating almost all carbohydrates from the food ration, keto followers are trying to reach the state of ketosis.
During ketosis, the body uses ketones for energy. However, reaching ketosis can prove to be difficult. For instance, proponents of the keto regimen suggest consuming no more than 50 grams of carbohydrates daily, or around 5–10% of the total caloric intake.
This is where ketone drinks come in. These drinks are formulated with exogenous ketones and, thus, proposed to help reach ketosis without strict adherence to the keto diet. If you have decided to explore your options, we have prepared a list of some of the best ketone drinks available.
Best ketone drinks: a shortlist
- Sports Research — overall best ketone drink
- H.V.M.N. — best unflavored ketone drink
- KetonesWater — best ketone for weight loss
- Real Ketones — best ketone powder in a wide range of flavors
- KetoneAid — best zero-carb ketone drink
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How we compiled our list of best ketone drinks
As there are many products to choose from, we applied the criteria below to curate our list of the best ketone drinks.
Price per serving | Flavor | Nutritional value | Ketones per serving |
$1.38–6.25 | Wide flavor options | Less than 100 calories per serving | 2.5–10 grams |
- Price per serving. For this list, we have chosen products from a wide range of price points that may fit various budgets.
- Flavor. The brand offers a few flavor options to choose from, including unflavored ones.
- Nutritional value. We prioritized low-caloric drinks. In addition, we checked the total carb count per serving, meaning you would be able to incorporate these supplements without increasing your overall carbohydrate intake.
- Ketones per serving. Exogenous ketone supplements can contain different amounts of ketones per serving as there is no universally recommended dosage established. We have included products with varying amounts of ketones per serving.
Best ketone drinks: an overview
Ketone drinks contain exogenous ketones that may help to stay in ketosis. If you have decided to incorporate this type of product into your routine, we have picked a few of the best ketone supplements to explore.
1. Sports Research — top ketone drink overall
Enriched with Beta-Hydroxybutyrate (BHB), this Sports Research supplement stands as an excellent choice for anyone looking to incorporate ketones into their routine. The total amount of ketones is 6 grams per serving.
Moreover, Sports Research includes some of the electrolytes (e.g., sodium and potassium), and amino acids (L-leucine).
When it comes to flavors, you can choose from 3 options: fruit punch, raspberry lemonade, and unflavored. This could benefit people involved in rigorous training sessions.
It is worth noting that the brand does not specify whether the powder contains carbohydrates.
Right now, you can get one jar containing 30 servings of this product for $41.36 (or $1.38 per serving).
2. H.V.M.N. Ketone IQ — best unflavored ketone drink
Ketone IQ by H.V.M.N. is an unflavored, zero-sugar ketone drink. One serving offers 10 grams of ketone precursors. Ketone IQ is free of carbohydrates and can be easily integrated into the keto diet.
The ingredients in this product are WADA and USADA-compliant, meaning this product can be used across sports levels. As the brand claims, each batch is being tested by a third-party laboratory to ensure compliance with the aforementioned standards.
Three bottles of this product are currently retailed at $114.75. Keep in mind that one bottle contains 10 servings, meaning one serving of H.V.M.N. would cost you $3.83.
3. KetoneWater — best ketone supplement for weight loss
With just 14 calories per serving, KetoneWater is our top choice for a weight-loss-friendly ketone drink. The product is formulated as an alternative to fizzy drinks and is sugar-free.
One can of KetoneWater provides 3 grams of ketone esters. Keep in mind that this beverage contains 4 grams of carbohydrates per serving coming from erythritol.
KetoneWater can be purchased in two flavors: orange vanilla and black cherry. The flavorings in this drink are of natural origin.
One can of this drink would cost you $5.36–6.25, depending on the flavor choice.
4. Real Ketones — best ketone powder available in a wide range of flavors
Real Ketones offers ketone drink powders in 6 flavor options, including black cherry, lemon twist, and watermelon. One 1-stick pack (7.5 grams) of Real Ketones delivers 5–5.2 grams of ketones, depending on the flavor.
Real Ketones drink also contains electrolytes, making it a suitable choice for workout sessions. It should be noted that the peach flavor version of Real Ketones includes 150 mg of caffeine for an extra energy boost.
All flavors contain no more than 1 gram of carbohydrates.
You can purchase a pack containing 30 servings of this supplement for $44.99 (or $1.50 per serving).
5. KetoneAid — best zero-carbohydrate ketone drink
KE4 by KetoneAid provides 2.5 grams of ketone esters, zero carbs, and 12 calories in total. Despite containing electrolyte sodium, it does not include any other active ingredients.
The product comes in one flavor — cherry.
Since the product is WADA-compliant, it does not contain any banned substances and can be used by athletes in competitions of all levels. Moreover, it is vegan-friendly.
Currently, 3 bottles of KetoneAid containing 32 servings in total would cost you $94.46. It is equivalent to $2.62 per serving.
Comparing the best ketone drinks
Brand | Form | Ketones per serving | Ketones form | Carbs per serving | Additional active ingredients | Flavor options | Servings | Price | Price per serving |
Sports Research | Powder (jar) | 6 grams | BHB | Does not specify | Electrolytesl-leucine, etc. | Fruit punch, raspberry lemonade, unflavored | 30 | $41.36 | $1.38 |
H.V.M.N. | Liquid (bottle) | 10 grams | (R)-1,3-Butanediol (ketone precursor) | 0 grams | N/A | Unflavored | 30 | $114.75 | $3.83 |
KetoneWater | Liquid (can) | 3 grams | Ketone ester | 4 grams | N/A | Orange vanilla, black cherry | 1 | $5.36–6.25 | $5.36–6.25 |
Real Ketones | Powder (packets) | 5 grams | BHB | 1 gram | Electrolytes | Black cherry, lemon twist, mixed berry, peach, raspberry lemonade, watermelon | 30 | $44.99 | $1.50 |
KetoneAid | Liquid (bottle) | 2.5 grams | Ketone ester | 0 grams | N/A | Cherry | 32 | $94.46 | $2.62 |
What are ketones?
Ketones are a type of nutrient that is used to supply the human body with energy when there is insufficient glucose from carbohydrates available. Ketones are majorly synthesized from lipids, not carbohydrates — a more common source of energy for our bodies.
In other words, ketones are an alternative source of energy to glucose. Our bodies rarely use ketones. It can happen in certain situations, e.g., during a fast or while on a low-carbohydrate diet.
The primary function of ketones is to supply vital organs, including the brain, with energy in critical cases such as starvation.
The main ketones synthesized in the liver and used in the brain for energy production are acetoacetate and β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB).
What is ketosis?
Ketosis is a state in which the body is being fueled by ketones. It is characterized by increased blood and tissue ketone levels caused by exercise, fasting, starvation, or diabetes. Put differently, during ketosis, the body is mostly using lipids that have been turned into ketones instead of glucose from carbohydrates.
Many followers of the ketogenic (keto) diet perceive ketosis as a goal.
Although there are certain health benefits associated with ketosis, it is still a very debatable topic in the medical and nutrition field.
Benefits of being in a state of ketosis
There are some potential benefits associated with ketosis, including:
- Weight loss. Research studies suggest that following a keto diet may help to achieve weight loss. On top of that, the keto diet may also support fat tissue loss and appetite control, contributing to overall weight management.
- Reduced muscle breakdown. According to some studies, ketones may help to reduce muscle breakdown during weight loss. This may be beneficial for individuals involved in such sports as bodybuilding.
If you are thinking about starting a keto diet, it is important to discuss it with your healthcare provider, especially if you have any underlying conditions.
Benefits of using ketone supplements
There are certain benefits associated with using ketone supplements. Below, we will analyze some of them.
May help you to stay in ketosis
The main proposed benefit of taking ketone supplements is helping to achieve the state of ketosis. Some early studies have shown that consuming ketone supplements may increase overall ketone levels in the blood.
May suppress appetite
In a study involving 15 healthy-weight participants, individuals consuming ketone drinks reported 50% less hunger compared to those drinking a calorie-matched control beverage containing dextrose. Moreover, researchers discovered that levels of appetite-regulating hormones were lower compared to carbohydrate intake group.
How to incorporate ketones into your lifestyle
While exogenous ketone supplements can temporarily increase blood ketone levels, they may not necessarily induce the same metabolic state as endogenous ketosis. To achieve the results of ketosis, it is important to follow your diet plan carefully.
As of now, there is no universal consensus regarding the best time to take ketone supplements. It is important to follow the label of the product carefully.
For the best results, it is possible to monitor your ketone levels by using urine strips, blood ketone meters, or breath ketone analyzers. This can help you adjust your diet or lifestyle as needed.
Potential side effects and precautions when taking ketones
Not enough glucose from carbohydrates and too many ketones in your blood could cause a condition called hypoglycemic ketoacidosis. This condition is a potentially life-threatening medical emergency.
It is important to be aware of a few symptoms that may be associated with elevated ketone levels:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Thirst or excessive urination
- Increased breathing rate with frequent and unusually deep breaths
- Distinctive fruity or nail polish odor on breath (ketone odor on breath)
Furthermore, the keto diet itself is associated with a range of negative health effects, such as an increase in “bad” cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol).
In addition, it is important to keep in mind that current scientific findings on the keto diet have yielded mixed results. There are not enough long-term studies done to confirm the positive effects of the keto diet. This means, this practice should be approached with caution and must be discussed with a healthcare provider.
Other ways to boost fat burning while on the keto diet
Pairing intermittent fasting with the keto diet may enhance fat burning. There are a few types of intermittent fasting, for example, the 16/8 method. This method entails fasting for 16 hours and restricting your eating window to 8 hours each day.
You can also consider incorporating MCT oil into your routine instead of ketone drinks. Although MTC oil is technically not a ketone supplement, this type of oil can be quickly used by our bodies and turned into ketones. Some people prefer MCT oils because they can be incorporated into food more easily.
Best ketone drink: conclusion
Ketone drinks should be considered as a novel supplement. As of now, the research studies on them are scarce, meaning it is still hard to draw conclusions on their effectiveness.
However, some early studies suggest that incorporating a ketone drink into your diet may help to stay on track while following a keto diet by reducing appetite. Moreover, ketone supplements may assist in attaining or staying in ketosis.
Find out other products for the keto lifestyle
To track your macronutrients with ease, you can use one of the best keto apps.
If fasting is also something you apply to your lifestyle, find out the best intermittent fasting apps.
Moreover, you can also explore the best MCT oils that may boost your energy levels while on a keto plan.
FAQ
What is the best source of ketones?
Ketones naturally produced during ketosis may be regarded as the optimal ketone source for individuals adhering to a ketogenic diet.
Do ketones really burn fat?
No, ketones themselves do not burn fat. They are produced as a result of fat metabolism. Ketone supplements contain exogenous ketones that may help to manage your weight.
What are the best ketones for weight loss?
No single type of ketone can be singled out as the best ketone for weight loss. Weight loss ultimately depends on a combination of factors, including diet, exercise, metabolism, and overall lifestyle habits.
What are the most powerful ketones?
There are not any ketones that can be deemed to be the most powerful. Two main types of ketones are used for supplements, ketone esters, and ketone salts. Ketone esters are considered to be a safer option as they may pose fewer side effects than ketone salts.
5 resources
- Nutrients. The Potential Health Benefits of the Ketogenic Diet: A Narrative Review.
- Nutrients. The Evolution of Ketosis: Potential Impact on Clinical Conditions.
- Experimental Physiology. Exogenous ketone supplementation: an emerging tool for physiologists with potential as a metabolic therapy.
- Journal of Dietary Supplements. Journal of Dietary Supplements. Influence of Exogenous β-Hydroxybutyrate on Walking Economy and Rating of Perceived Exertion.
- Journal of the American Nutrition Association. Bis Hexanoyl (R)-1,3-Butanediol, a Novel Ketogenic Ester, Acutely Increases Circulating r- and s-ß-Hydroxybutyrate Concentrations in Healthy Adults.
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