(EMAILWIRE.COM, May 15, 2012 ) Wilmington, NC -- There are many claims that Gymnema sylvestre can curb craving for sweets, that it blocks sugar absorption and also balances blood glucose levels. Natural Health Sherpa, one of the leading natural health websites, reviewed the available research to validate or disprove these claims.
The health website found that there is supporting evidence which proves Gymnema sylvestre indeed helps in curbing the desire for sweets. “One animal study from the International Journal of Crude Drug Research found that rodents that were fed Gymnema sylvestre leaves exhibited a decreased interest in, and consumption of, sweets,” the website notes. In another study, Gymnema sylvestre water extract was given to rats for two weeks. Those lab animals lost significant weight compared to the control group.
Another article published in Physiology & Behavior, involved normal weight patients who were fasting. Some patients were given Gymnema sylvestre one hour before they were given snacks. “The researchers found that those who were given Gymnema sylvestre one hour before being offered snack foods ate less food and fewer sweet foods than patients who had not consumed Gymnema sylvestre,” according to Natural Health Sherpa.
Gymnema sylvestre contains gymnemic acid – a nutrient found in plants that is known to suppress sweetness. Gymnemic acid is also molecularly similar to glucose and probably fills the sweetness receptors in the tongue “thereby preventing glucose from docking in those same receptors, thus cutting your craving for sugar and sweets,” explains Natural Health Sherpa.
“Whatever form of Gymnema sylvestre you choose, be sure the product is standardized to a minimum of 25 percent gymnemic acid,” advises Natural Health Sherpa.
About Natural Health Sherpa:
Natural Health Sherpa provides in-depth, science-based, independent reviews of natural health therapies and remedies that have been proven to be both safe and effective and are backed by good science -- multiple double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized studies. Unfortunately, there are many charlatans making bogus, unfounded claims in the natural health area, so our goal is to separate fact from fiction to pinpoint what actually works.
