What is Garcinia Cambogia?

G. Cambogia, or Garcinia gummi-gutta, is a tropical fruit native to Indonesia, and often referred to as the “Malabar tamarind”. For centuries, this small pumpkin-shaped fruit has been used in culinary recipes as well as traditional medicine. Nowadays, it’s gaining traction as an ingredient in dietary supplements and advertised as a weight loss aid.

Proponents of gambooge argue that its active ingredients—namely hydroxycitric acid (HCA)—make it an effective supplement for fat burning, calorie reduction, and weight management. Some research has shown potential success in these areas when compared to placebo, supporting the positive claims surrounding gambooge.

On the other hand, detractors believe there’s not enough scientific evidence to back up its alleged health benefits; furthermore, intake of Garcinia cambogia may lead to adverse side effects such as headaches, liver problems, and digestive issues. The public should thoroughly research any supplement before taking it and always consult with a healthcare professional before using it.

Whatever opinion we feel towards gambooge may be, one thing remains clear — those interested in trying it must first understand what the fruit looks like and where it comes from. Let’s see where this journey brings us next.

What Does the Fruit Look Like?

Garcinia Cambogia, more commonly known as Malabar tamarind, is a small, green fruit native to Southeast Asia. Growing up to 5cm in diameter, the knobby fruit looks like a cross between an unripe peach and a pumpkin and is believed to date back over 2,000 years for culinary and medicinal purposes. The delicious rind of the gambooge fruit contains high levels of hydroxycitric acid, or HCA, which is used as a natural weight loss supplement due to its appetite suppressant properties.

The outer flesh of the gambooge fruit also imparts a flavor reminiscent of citrus when eaten raw, making it popular in traditional dishes throughout Southeast Asia. Additionally, garcinol and xanthohumol are found in the skin of the fruit and have been used for centuries in Ayurveda medicine for treating ailments such as indigestion and inflammation.

Further research into the potential health benefits of gambooge has been well established by modern science, lending promising evidence to support claims that this humble little fruit may be invaluable in helping those trying to lose weight naturally. With continued research in the future looking increasingly likely, we might see even more remarkable uses of gambooge on the horizon.

Where Does it Come From?

Garcinia cambogia or Malabar tamarind is a small, pumpkin-like fruit indigenous to certain parts of India and Southeast Asia, as well as some parts of Africa. While it still grows sporadically in those areas today, its popularity as a weight-loss supplement has led to the wider cultivation of Malabar tamarind across the globe, from Central and South America to China. The Malabar tamarind fruit looks like a small green or yellow melon measuring about five centimeters in diameter, similar to a tomato or eggplant in size.

The active ingredient in Malabar tamarind is called hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is thought to be responsible for most of the supplement’s purported benefits. HCA is extracted from the skin of mature Malabar tamarind fruits and then processed into an extract or powder and placed into capsules or tablets that can also contain other ingredients such as ginger and magnesium stearate.

The debate around whether the use of Garcinia cambogia supplements is safe or effective remains ongoing; there is some evidence that suggests that taking HCA supplements helps people with weight-loss and controlling blood sugar levels; however, more research is needed to confirm these claims. Additionally, side effects such as dry mouth, headaches, and fatigue have been reported by people who have taken HCA supplements.

• A systematic review and meta-analysis published in 2019 found that Garcinia cambogia is safe for weight loss and effective at reducing body weight and BMI.
• A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study published in 2020 found that supplements containing Garcinia cambogia were associated with decreased levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and LDL (the “bad” cholesterol) levels in obese individuals.
• According to a systematic review published in 2019, Garcinia cambogia and HCA are effective for reducing food intake and may have beneficial effects on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients.