Garcinia Cambogia For Weight Loss ( Myths & Facts)

We’ve been receiving a number of questions regarding the supplement, Garcinia Cambogia. This supplement is being marketed as a miracle weight loss medicine. I’m sure a number of you are curious to find out more about Garcinia Cambogia, it’s benefits and side effects and does it really help with weight loss.

What is Garcinia Cambogia ?

• Garcinia Cambogia is being marketed as a popular weight loss supplement
• It is derived from a fruit of the same name also called Malabar Tamarind. It is a small, pumpkin shaped, yellow or greenish fruit
• Peel of this fruit contains high amounts of hydroxycitric acid which is also suppose to be the source of it’s weight loss properties
• This fruit is very sour which means that it is not eaten fresh but rather used in cooking

Other Names of Garcinia Cambogia

• Gambooge
• Goraka in hindi
• Uppage in kannada
• Malabaru chinta in telugu
• Garcinia gummi-gutta
• Malabar tamarind
• Pot tamarind
• Brindle berry
• Red mango

Different ways of consuming

• Dried and smoked
• Used in paste form
• Also used in powder form
• Used as spices in curries
• Also used in drinks and juices

Benefits of including in diet

• Used in ayurveda to pacify vata and kapha doshas
• Reduce inflammation
• Manages blood sugar levels in the body
• Improves overall metabolism
• Improves digestion
• Flushes out toxins
• Clears toxic buildup in the oral cavity
• Purifies the blood and cleans the fat tissue

Nutritional value of 100 grams Garcinia Cambogia

• Carbs:17.2 grams
• Fat:0.5 grams
• Proteins:2.3 grams
• Fiber:12.4 grams
• Iron:15.14 miligrams
• Calcium:250 miligrams
• Oxalic acid:18.1 miligrams
• High in phytochemical content including hydroxycitric acid and other compounds like polyphenols, luteolin and kaempferol

Hydroxycitric Acid

• Also known as HCA
• This enzyme is found in the skin of the fruit
• This enzyme is the one which stops sugar from turning into fat

Benefits of Hydroxycitric Acid in Weight Loss

• Inhibits enzymes that help the body store fats
• Reduces stress by increasing levels of serotonin
• Helps regulate blood sugar
• Reduces inflammation
• Manages levels of leptin
• Suppress appetite

Use in Indian Cuisines for

• Better taste in curries
• Boost immunity and digestion
• Improved health of digestive system
• Manage BP and cholesterol
• Manage diabetes
• Reduces inflammation in the body

Side effects of Garcinia Cambogia

• Excess may lead to digestive problems
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Skin rash
• Dryness in mouth
• Heavy feeling

Weight loss gains?

• On average, studies show that Garcinia Cambogia can cause a small amount of weight loss
• On average, weight loss of about 0.8 kgs has been seen over 10-12 weeks
• However, there can be a number of other reasons for losing that amount of weight as well
• Several other studies have not found any weight loss advantage
• As you can see, the response to Garcinia Cambogia for it’s weight loss properties is very mixed
• The supplements can at best produce modest weight loss is some people but it’s effectiveness is not at all guaranteed

Conclusion

• Garcinia Cambogia is not a miracle supplement for weight loss
• It is however an healthy fruit which you can include in your diet
• It is recommended to be consumed in it’s natural form
• However, it should be consumed be moderate quantity