About this ingredient
Ingredients
Garcinia in dietary supplements most commonly refers to Garcinia cambogia, also known as Garcinia gummi-gutta or Malabar tamarind. The fruit rind contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a naturally occurring compound commonly used as the primary standardized component in Garcinia supplements. Exact Garcinia extract strength, HCA percentage, plant part, and additional ingredients vary by manufacturer.
Garcinia is a botanical ingredient commonly used in dietary supplements, particularly products formulated for weight-management and appetite-support purposes. Garcinia cambogia is a fruit-bearing tree native to parts of Asia and is also known as Malabar tamarind.
The fruit rind contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is the principal compound of interest in many Garcinia cambogia supplements. Products may use Garcinia fruit or fruit-rind extracts standardized to a specified percentage of HCA. The actual extract concentration and HCA content can vary considerably between products.
Garcinia supplements are commonly marketed for appetite control and weight management. However, current evidence does not establish a meaningful weight-loss benefit; NIH and NCCIH sources describe the evidence as showing little to no effect or an unclear benefit.
Safety should also be considered. Reported adverse effects include headache, nausea, and gastrointestinal symptoms, and cases of liver injury have been reported, including some severe cases. People taking medications, particularly medicines that may affect the liver or serotonin, should consult a healthcare professional before using Garcinia.