Japanese cosmetics manufacturer Kanebo said it will launch a diet pill in May that uses a compound found in raspberries to burn unwanted fat in weight-conscious women, reports Reuters.
The company claims that the chewable pill is full of raspberry ketones, an aroma component that reduces fat.
Each pill is loaded with ketones equivalent to 1,000 fresh raspberries and is three times more effective than capsaicin in slimming, Kanebo said. Capsaicin is found in red chilli peppers and is widely used by women trying to lose weight.
The company said that of those who took part in a study of the raspberry supplements, 70 per cent lost an average 1 kg after taking the pills for a week.
Kanebo said it had also developed "sheets" containing raspberry ketones that can be applied to thighs and are less irritating to the skin than capsaicin.
Another Japanese cosmetics company, RMK, will also launch a raspberry-based product this year - not for slimming purposes, but to "brighten" skin tone.
RMK's "brightening" supplement, to be launched in March, contains raspberry ketones which it claims help to clear facial blemishes when taken with Vitamin C.