Garcinia cambogia
Garcinia gummi-gutta
Herbs & Roots. Ayurveda.
Also called Malabar tamarind, Kodampuli
Spanish: Tamarindo malabar
Serious liver injury reportedA sour fruit from southern India whose rind is sold as a weight loss supplement.
Did you know? The sour rind flavors fish curries in Kerala, but the supplement form relies on a compound called hydroxycitric acid.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Digestion & gut health. Used for stomach upset and diarrhea in tradition. Human studies are few.Traditional proof
- Weight. Pooled trials found only about 1 kilogram more weight loss than placebo, and that gap may not matter in daily life.Not supported
- Cleansing & detox. Claims that it flushes toxins from the body have no good human evidence.Not supported
Parts of the body
Energy & metabolism, Liver, Kidneys & bladder, Gut & intestines, Stomach
Traditional use
In Kerala and southern India, the dried rind sours curries and is used to aid digestion. Its use for weight loss is a modern idea.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Astringent, Antioxidant. Energy: neutral.
How people take it
Supplements are usually taken before meals, but labels vary widely in strength. The dried rind can be soaked and used in small amounts in cooking.
Food and capsule.
Where to get it
The tree grows wild in southern India and Southeast Asia. Dried rind is sold for cooking, and extracts appear in capsules, often in green tea blends.
Be careful
Liver injury is the main risk. Doctors have reported liver failure, transplants and deaths, and some cases were linked to products that may have been mislabeled. Stop the product and see a doctor if you feel very tired, have dark urine, belly pain, or yellow skin or eyes.
Avoid if: liver disease; pregnancy; breastfeeding; heavy alcohol use.
Mixing with other things
- Use cautionAntidepressants (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro and others)
Some reports suggest it may affect serotonin. It has not been well studied with antidepressants.
- Use cautionAlcohol (beer, wine, spirits)
Alcohol and the supplement can both strain the liver.
The honest take
The weight loss effect is small and may not matter in real life, and the best trials did not show clear results. The bigger problem is liver damage, which can be severe or fatal. Most people should avoid the supplement.