Beta-hydroxybutyrate esters rapidly release beta-hydroxybutyrate upon consumption, causing a sharp increase in ketones and a subsequent drop in glucose.

“If you take a beta-hydroxybutyrate ester, you have 1,3-butanediol typically is bound to beta-hydroxybutyrate. When you consume that, the beta-hydroxybutyrate is quickly liberated, so it spikes your glucose or your ketones up very high. But in regards to glucose, actually, that comes down pretty low.”