Have you ever noticed that almost every weight loss supplement has garcinia cambogia as one of the ingredients? Garcinia cambogia is a very popular extract in weight loss supplements and you must have come across with it on the internet or in herbal clinics and outlets around the country. Thinking about this kind of wide usage, do you think Garcinia Cambogia is overrated or does it really work? Are they just claims that this natural extract can actually alleviate belly fat and facilitate weight loss? Here is a garcinia cambogia review that will reveal whether this natural extract works or not.
What is garcinia cambogia?
It is a small, greenish or yellowish fruit that resembles the shape of a pumpkin. Garcinia cambogia appears to be a cross between a tomato and a pumpkin. This small fruit is native to Southeast Asia and India. However, it is exported all across the globe for medical and feeding purposes. Garcinia cambogia is a very sour fruit and so in many cases, this fruit is not consumed fresh. It is used as a spice when cooking.
Garcinia cambogia for weight loss
Garcinia cambogia supplements for weight loss comprise extracts from the peels of this fruit. The fruit peels are rich in hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is the active ingredient believed to contain weight loss properties. This is why the supplements are promoted as a natural way of losing weight without having to stick to a particular dietary plan or exercise regime. It is very true that the active ingredient of these supplements promotes the fat burning potential of the human body.
Nonetheless, according to studies, garcinia cambogia facilitated weight loss in numerous cases, but since different people respond differently to supplements, just like in other things, the results varied. Research conducted around the HCA concept confirmed that this active ingredient has incredible weight loss properties while in some cases, the garcinia cambogia supplements had minimal to zero effects.
According to researchers, most of the studies conducted on HCA or garcinia cambogia, have used animals as research models. For the little research done on humans, the effects of this fruit are widely spread and not just for weight loss, giving conflicting results. “Further, well designed clinical tests should be conducted prior to giving any tangible conclusions,” said Catherine Ulbricht, the senior pharmacist of Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.
How garcinia cambogia for weight loss works
There are two major ways in which garcinia cambogia facilitates weight loss through HCA, its active ingredient. The first one is that HCA inhibits the accumulation of fat in the body, making you maintain your current weight or reduce it. Secondly, HCA alters the rate at which your stomach empties, making you feel full the better part of the day. This alleviates your need to eat by suppressing your appetite, controlling weight gain.
However, in spite of the benefits that this fruit extract gives its users, there some side effects that you should be aware of before buying garcinia cambogia supplements.
- Nausea, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, diarrhoea and vomiting
- Reduces sugar levels in the blood
- Liver damage and jaundice
To avoid any adverse side effects, diabetics should first consult with a doctor prior to taking any supplement containing garcinia cambogia. People, however, react differently to Garcinia cambogia and so results can vary from one person to the next. According to Ulbricht, the effectiveness of garcinia cambogia can be affected by the percentage of this extract from one weight loss supplement brand to the next. “Some brands contain significantly less HCA than their label claims, and this affects the results of the end user,” says Catherine. This implies that weight loss results can also vary from one brand to the next.
Featured image via https://nccih.nih.gov/health/garcinia
Speaking of weight loss, Is slimming tea a good weight loss option?
