Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is a natural organic acid mainly found in the shell of the Garcinia fruit. It has good effects in inhibiting fat synthesis, suppressing appetite and reducing body weight, and has been well applied to functional foods.
Hydroxycitric acid Source
Hydroxycitric acid is present in the fruit shells of Garcinia cambogia, Garcinia indica and Garcinia atroviridis, which grow abundantly in the Indian subcontinent and western Sri Lanka. In addition, Hydroxycitric acid is also present in hibiscus (Hibiscus) plants.
Hydroxycitric acid Safety and Toxicology
Garcinia cambogia has been used for a long time as a flavoring agent, preservative, herbal tonic, and traditionally
Garcinia extract has not seen any reports of poisoning. Therefore, even excessive consumption is unlikely to have adverse effects.
Animal experiments show that the toxicity of Hydroxycitric acid is not stronger than that of citric acid. Citric acid is a compound found in normal cells and is used in many foods. Experiments have shown that (-)-HCA at a dose of 5000 mg/kg body weight does not cause any visible symptoms of toxicity or death in experimental animals. This dose is approximately equivalent to a human intake of 350g, or 233 times the per capita possible intake of 1.5g/d.
What does HCA do to the body?
Studies have shown that HCA can not only inhibit the synthesis of fatty acids and fats, but also reduce appetite and food intake, and ultimately play a role in reducing body weight.
Who should not take Garcinia Extract?
Although proven safe, HCA cannot be recommended for everyone.
Since Hydroxycitric acid will affect the synthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol in the body, it may directly affect the production of sterols and limit the production of sterol hormones.
Women are very sensitive to steroid hormones during pregnancy, so it is not suitable to consume HCA at this time.
Women who are breastfeeding should also avoid HCA.
In addition, although long-term consumption of -HCA-rich fruits has not been shown to cause any harm to children, children are still advised against long-term excessive intake of HCA.
Summary
At present, a variety of drugs containing Hydroxycitric acid have been listed abroad. HCA is gaining increasing attention from consumers as a natural weight loss drug.