Last updated: 21.09.2021
Garcinia cambogia (garcinia cambodiana) is one of the leading plants used in the fight against excess body fat. When used regularly, either as capsules or in powdered form, it is an effective weapon against excess weight. This is due to the hydroxycitric acid (HCA) contained in this plant, which is highly active in regulating metabolism, blocking synthesis of fatty acids and eliminating appetite disorders. For those seeking to reduce body weight, Garcinia cambogia may be the answer to any difficulties that arise in the arduous process of weight loss. Find out how Garcinia cambogia works and in what form it works best if your goal is rapid elimination of body fat.
Table of contents
- 1 Garcinia cambogia – a fruit with great slimming potential
- 2 Garcinia cambogia composition. What biosubstances can we find in tamarind fruit?
- 3 Garcinia cambogia slimming properties
- 4 Garcinia cambogia – health promoting properties
- 5 Garcinia cambogia – side effects
- 6 Garcinia cambogia – opinions
- 7 Garcinia cambogia – tablets, capsules and other preparations. What to choose?
Garcinia cambogia – a fruit with great slimming potential
Garcinia cambogia, also known as cambodian garcinia, cambodian mangosteen or Malabar tamarind, is a tropical plant of the cucurbitaceae family, which, due to its numerous health-promoting propertiesDue to its numerous health promoting properties, it has been used in natural medicine for hundreds of years, in fact since ancient times (e.g. in Hindu medicine). Among other things, it has been used to alleviate digestive disorders and as a remedy for rheumatism.
In its natural state Garcinia cambogia occurs mainly in Indonesia, India, Malaysia, Thailand. Its largest cultivations are located in south-eastern Asia and the central and western parts of Africa. Malabar tamarind was brought to Europe by sailors travelling to India.
Apart from its health-promoting properties, Garcinia cambogia also has culinary value. It is a spice often used in Asian cuisine (mainly for meat and fish dishes). Fresh garcinia fruits also carry a lot of flavor value. Interestingly, they are considered to be one of the tastiest fruits in the world. In their raw state, however, they are rarely seen in our country.
If you want to enjoy the benefits of Malabar tamarind, you can choose from dried or ground fruits, as well as numerous dietary supplements containing extracts from this plant.
Malabar tamarind takes the form of an evergreen tree. The tamarind fruit looks like a miniature yellow, orange or green pumpkin. It is the fruit of this plant that is most valuable to the pharmaceutical and parapharmaceutical industries.
Garcinia cambogia fruit extracts are a treasure trove of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is why they are often used in dietary supplements designed to speed up weight loss. However, apart from its slimming properties, Garcinia cambogia also shows many other valuable activities.
Garcinia cambogia composition. What biosubstances can we find in tamarind fruit?
Hydroxycitric acid is not the only valuable component of the Cambodian garcinia fruit. There are many more, including a large representation of antioxidants.
In the composition of Garcinia cambogia we can find such biosubstances as:
- vitamin B1,
- vitamin B2,
- vitamin B3,
- vitamin A,
- vitamin E,
- vitamin C,
- polyphenols (including catechins),
- xanthones,
- dietary fiber,
- protein,
- unsaturated fatty acids,
- organic acids (citric acid, oxalic acid, acetic acid, hydroxycitric acid, malic acid, tartaric acid)
- calcium,
- phosphorus,
- iron,
- potassium,
- magnesium,
- zinc,
- sodium,
- copper,
- manganese.
Garcinia cambogia slimming properties
The beneficial effects of Garcinia cambogia on the body struggling with excess weight are due to the aforementioned hydroxycitric acid, with which this plant was particularly generously endowed by nature.
Thanks to its high hydroxycitric acid content, Garcinia cambogia acts on carbohydrate metabolism, blocking the enzyme involved in the transformation of sugars into fats and ensuring that they are not pushed into fat reserves, but are better utilized by our body.
In other words, hydroxycitric acid allows the carbohydrates we eat to be distributed to different tissues on an ongoing basis, where they are used as a source of energy. At the same time, the mechanism of converting excess carbohydrates into fat is inhibited.
Sugars supplied in the diet are “momentarily” stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen, and then directly “converted” to energy. Thus, they are not transformed into fat tissue. As a consequence, we stop gaining weight.
Hydroxycitric acid has a significant effect on the metabolism of fats – it accelerates their breakdown, which promotes faster reduction of body weight. What is more, it limits assimilation of fats from food, protecting us against growth of fat tissue and formation of unsightly folds on our silhouette.
Garcinia cambogia inhibits lipogenesis, which leads to the synthesis of new fatty acids and weight gain. By blocking lipogenesis, it also enhances lipolysis, during which the body more often draws energy directly from fat tissue and burns it more dynamically.
But that’s not all, Garcinia cambogia also has thermogenic properties. By increasing heat production and raising body temperature, it causes the metabolism to accelerate. Thus, the body’s energy expenditure increases and calories are burned faster.
Malabar tamarind is also a temporary aid in limiting calorie intake – it perfectly suppresses the appetite, increases the feeling of satiety and prevents attacks of acute hunger. Thanks to the content of hydroxycitric acid, Garcinia cambogia supports transport of fatty acids to mitochondria, which results in production of ketone compounds and noticeable reduction of appetite.
These properties make it an effective weapon against weight gain. It is especially helpful for people with a weakness for sweets or other fattening snacks and those who struggle with snacking or inability to keep appetite under control. Used daily, Garcinia cambogia is a great support in controlling your diet.
Studies have confirmed that Cambodian garcinia contributes to weight loss of 0.88 kg more in a few weeks than in people who took a placebo.
Garcinia cambogia – health promoting properties
Antioxidant effects
The support and acceleration of weight loss by Malabar tamarind goes hand in hand with other properties beneficial to our body. Among other things, these come from the high antioxidant potential of this plant.
Garcinia cambogia is extremely rich in antioxidants, including some of the most potent – xanthones and catechins.
Both xanthones, catechins, and other antioxidants present in Garcinia cambogia protect us from the formation of harmful reactive oxygen species in the body and counteract oxidative stress on cells.
They neutralize free radicals, reduce inflammation in the body and increase our natural ability to regenerate. They also inhibit aging processes and reduce the risk of many diseases: cancer, atherosclerosis, dementia, Alzheimera, diabetes, heart disease, eye disease.
Supporting the cardiovascular system
Garcinia cambogia supports our heart and circulatory system and improves lipid profile. It improves circulation and reduces cholesterol and triglycerides, thereby counteracting atherosclerotic plaque formation, reducing the risk of strokes, heart attacks and ischemic heart disease. It also supports people with high blood pressure – it helps to restore it to the normal level.
Positive influence on digestion
The natural yellow pigment found in the skin of Garcinia cambogia fruit – garcinol– is also a valuable biosubstance which has a positive effect on our digestive system and contributes to normalization of cholesterol levels. Garcinol belongs to the group of polyphenols, which means it also exhibits antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anticarcinogenic properties.
Garcinol-rich Garcinia cambogia protects our digestive system and improves its functioning. It improves the digestive process and reduces annoying ailments such as abdominal bloating, indigestion, and diarrhea. It also eliminates damage to the lining of the digestive system and protects against stomach ulcers.
Regulation of blood sugar levels
Hydroxycitric acid’s positive effect on carbohydrate metabolism in the body translates into its ability to stabilize blood sugar levels. It regulates insulin production and increases tissue sensitivity to this hormone. Thus, it prevents too high concentration of glucose in the bloodstream.
Moreover, HCA acid reduces carbohydrate absorption from the gastrointestinal tract, preventing sudden glycemic disturbances. By normalizing sugar levels, it combats sudden attacks of voracious hunger and postprandial sleepiness and fatigue.
Because of these properties, Garcinia cambogia is often used in diabetic problems, regardless of whether we’re dealing with initial, sporadic episodes of blood glucose fluctuations or phenomena such as insulin resistance or pre-diabetes.
People suffering from type 2 diabetes also reach for extracts from this plant. However, if we have already been diagnosed with the disease and we are taking medicine to lower sugar, we should consult a doctor before we use products containing tamarind extracts.
Other valuable properties of Garcinia cambogia
- increases serotonin levels, improves mood, adds vitality and energy,
- increases glycogen levels in muscles, enhancing the feeling of satiety,
- inhibits the growth of fat tissue while supporting the building of muscle tissue, thus supporting the body shaping process,
- Increases endurance, improves workout capacity,
- has anti-inflammatory, antiviral and antibacterial properties,
- helps to fight various infections (e.g. of the urinary and respiratory tracts),
- helps in combating joint and muscle pain (including rheumatic pains).
Garcinia cambogia – side effects
Like every substance supporting weight loss, Garcinia cambogia is also subject to opinions on alleged negative side effects or not very beneficial effects on health. However, these opinions are either made up or concern preparations of poor quality and questionable origin.
Many people experienced in weight loss supplements speak highly of Cambodian garcinia. They are of the opinion that while using preparations with Garcinia, the rate of burning excess weight is much faster. At the same time, there is no deterioration of mood or any other side effects.
In fact, there is no evidence that products containing Garcinia cambogia extracts cause any adverse side effects. For a healthy person, taking good quality supplements with Garcinia cambogia (as recommended by the manufacturer), is safe for your health. However, it is also worth mentioning that it is not completely indifferent to the body. So, if someone is suffering from any diseases, he should first consult a doctor. The same applies to pregnant women and nursing mothers.
Garcinia cambogia – opinions
According to many people, Garcinia cambogia gives definite and fast results in the form of weight loss, reduction in body circumference and overall, visual slimming of the figure. While on a calorie-restricted diet alone, combined with regular physical activity, you lose weight slowly, about 0.5 kg per week or even less, Garcinia cambogia accelerates the entire process.
Many reviews of Garcinia cambogia claim that the ingredient allows you to lose weight at a rate of about 1-2 kg per week. What you can often read in the comments, Garcinia cambogia is an excellent appetite suppressant. It makes us eat much less and we reach for food less often. We don’t snack and we don’t feel a sudden, strong feeling of sucking in our stomachs leading us straight to the kitchen for our favorite treats. We also do not have culinary cravings that end up in consuming hundreds of excess calories. Our appetite is on an even level and it is easy for us to lead a rational, healthy diet.
At the same time we have more energy which can be easily exchanged for intensive physical activity. According to numerous reviews, Garcinia makes us feel lighter and lighter from week to week, and we still see less and less fat on our body.
Many such reviews of fat reducers containing Garcinia cambogia extract can be found online. Customers often emphasize that using such preparations you lose weight much faster (on average about 5-7 kg in a month). Their strong point is also the increase in the feeling of satiety and elimination of hunger. They help tame excessive appetite and return to a normal, healthy eating regime.
Garcinia cambogia – tablets, capsules and other preparations. What to choose?
Garcinia cambogia can be found on sale in various forms. Dried fruits of this plant are often included in teas and herbal mixtures supporting weight loss. However, these types of products are very mild. The pure Garcinia cambogia fruit in powdered form has stronger properties.
The best results, however, come from capsules and tablets containing an optimal dose of the extract of this plant and, in addition, other ingredients that stimulate the weight loss process.
One such product is Garcinia Cambogia Actives – currently the most extensive and strongest dietary supplement for weight loss containing the Garcinia fruit. The arsenal of active ingredients in this product is not only wide, but also perfectly composed: guarana, cayenne pepper, black pepper, green tea, green coffee, and of course, garcinia cambodiana – this strong group will quickly destroy unnecessary fatty tissue.
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Another powerful fat reducer, which is a unique combination of moringa leaves with Garcinia cambogia extract, piperine and chromium is Moringa Actives.
