Gymnema Sylvestre is a woody climbing shrub that is native to the tropical forests of India, Australia, and Africa.
Its leaves have been used in ancient Indian medicinal practice Ayurveda for thousands of years.
It has been a traditional remedy for several ailments, including malaria, diabetes, and snakebites.
This herb is thought to prohibit sugar absorption and has become a popular study subject in Western medicine.
Here are six significant health benefits of Gymnema Sylvestre:
1. Reduces Sugar Cravings by Making Sweet Foods Tasteless and Appealing
Gymnema Sylvestre can help in reducing sugar cravings.
One of the principal active components in this plant is gymnemic acid, which helps suppress sweetness.
When consumed before sugary food or beverage, gymnemic acid blocks the sugar receptors on the taste buds.
Many research pieces show that Gymnema Sylvestre extracts can reduce the ability to taste the sweetness and make sweet foods less tempting.
In a study in fasted individuals, 50% of people were given Gymnema extract. Those who received the supplement had a lesser appetite for sweet foods after a meal and were more likely to limit their food intake than those not taking the extract.
Gymnemic acids in Gymnema Sylvestre holds the ability to block the sugar receptors on your tongue, reducing your ability to taste sweetness. This can lead to decreased sugar cravings.
2. Helps Lower Blood Sugar Levels
According to WHO, over 420 million people worldwide have diabetes, which is anticipated to upsurge.
Diabetes is a metabolic disease distinguished by high blood sugar levels. It is caused by the inability of the body to generate or use insulin effectively.
Gymnema Sylvestre is deliberated to have anti-diabetic characteristics.
As a supplement, it is used in combination with other diabetes medications to lower blood sugar. It is also known as gurmar (which in Hindi means “the destroyer of sugar.”)
Like its effects on the taste buds, Gymnema Sylvestre can also block receptors in your intestines and thus sugar absorption. It is resultingly lowering the post-meal blood sugar levels.
Scientific proof of Gymnema’s capability to lower blood sugar is insufficient to recommend it as stand-alone diabetes medication. Studies imply that consuming 200–400 mg of gymnemic acid reduces the sugar glucose’s intestinal absorption (Source).
Gymnema improved blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels in one study.
The study concluded that lowering blood sugar after a meal resulted in decreased average blood sugar levels over time. This could help reduce the long-term complexities of diabetes.
For individuals with high blood sugar or a high HbA1c, Gymnema Sylvestre can decrease fasting, post-meal and long-term blood sugar levels. However, if you are taking blood-sugar-lowering medications, consult with a doctor first.
Gymnema Sylvestre has anti-diabetic characteristics and may reduce your blood sugar levels before a meal.
3. May Contribute to Favorable Insulin Levels by Upsurging Insulin Production
Gymnema’s function in insulin secretion and cell regeneration can also support its blood-sugar-lowering abilities.
Higher insulin levels mean that sugar is eradicated from your blood at a faster rate.
If an individual has type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, your body is likely not making enough insulin, or the cells become less sensitive to it overtime period. This results in frequently high blood sugar levels.
Gymnema Sylvestre may stimulate insulin production in the pancreas, boosting the regeneration of insulin-producing islet cells. This can help in lowering your blood sugar levels (Source).
Many traditional drugs help increasing insulin secretion and sensitivity. Moreover, herbal therapies are attaining momentum in drug development.
It is interesting to know that metformin-the first anti-diabetic drug, was an herbal formulation confined from Galega officinalis.
Gymnema Sylvestre seems to contribute to favorable insulin levels by boosting insulin production and regenerating insulin-secreting islet cells. Both can help lower blood sugar levels.
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4. Enhances Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels, Reducing Heart Disease Risk
Gymnema Sylvestre can help in lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides.
While Gymnema gets its glory from reducing blood sugar levels and lowering sugar cravings, many research pieces show that it may influence fat absorption and lipid levels as well.
In a study in rats on a high-fat diet, Gymnema extract aided weight maintenance and suppressed liver fat accumulation. Also, animals fed the section, and a normal-fat diet was competent in lowering triglyceride levels.
High levels of “bad” triglycerides and LDL cholesterol are risk aspects for heart disease.
Hence, the positive effects of Gymnema Sylvestre on LDL and triglycerides levels may contribute to a reduced risk of heart conditions.
Research upholds that Gymnema can play a function in lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. This can reduce the risks of heart diseases.
5. May Aid Weight Loss
Gymnema Sylvestre extracts have been known to aid weight loss in humans and animals.
One three-week study showed decreased bodyweight in rats given a water extract of Gymnema Sylvestre. In another study, rats on a high-fat diet-fed a Gymnema extract gained less weight (Source).
What’s more, a study in 60 somewhat-obese people taking a Gymnema extract found a 5–6% decrease in body weight and decreased food intake.
Gymnema Sylvestre can cause you to eat fewer sweet foods and devour lesser calories by obstructing sweet receptors on your taste buds.
A constant calorie deficit can result in weight loss.
Gymnema Sylvestre may also play a role in weight loss and in preventing weight gain. It may promote reduced calorie intake as well.
6. Helps in Reducing Inflammation Due to Its Tannin and Saponin Content
Inflammation plays an essential role in your body’s healing process.
Some inflammation is useful, such as protecting your body from harmful organisms in injury or infection cases.
Other times, inflammation may also be caused by the environment or the foods you intake.
But, chronic low-grade inflammation can lead to several health issues.
Many studies have confirmed the link between excessive sugar intake and increased inflammatory markers in animals and humans.
Gymnema Sylvestre’s ability to lower sugar absorption in the intestines may also reduce inflammation caused due to excess sugar intake.
What’s more, Gymnema seems to have anti-inflammatory characteristics of its own. This is perceived to be due to its tannins and saponins’ content, which are promising plant compounds.
Gymnema Sylvestre leaves are considered immunostimulatory. This means that they can regulate the immune system, reducing inflammation.
People with diabetes suffer from high blood sugar and insulin resistance and may also have decreased antioxidant levels, leading to inflammation.
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, Gymnema Sylvestre may also help with diabetes and high blood sugar in various ways, including combating inflammation.
The tannins and saponins in Gymnema possess anti-inflammatory properties that assist in fighting inflammation.
Dosage, Safety, and Side Effects
Gymnema Sylvestre is commonly consumed as a tea or by chewing its leaves.
It is typically taken in pill or tablet form in Western medicine. This makes it easier to monitor and control dosage. It may be ingested in extract or leaf powder form as well.
Dosage
The suggested dosage for Gymnema Sylvestre entirely depends on the form in which one consumes it:
- Tea: Boil leaves for 5 minutes. Then let steep for 10–15 minutes before drinking.
- Powder: Begin with 2 grams, increasing to 4 grams if there are no side effects.
- Capsule: 100 mg, 3–4 times every day.
If you are looking to use Gymnema Sylvestre as a way to block the sugar receptors on your tongue, then (before a high-sugar meal or snack), take a supplement with water for 5–10 minutes.
Safety Information
Gymnema Sylvestre is considered safe for most individuals, but it should not be taken by children or pregnant women who are planning to get pregnant or breastfeeding.
Moreover, though it appears to enhance blood sugar and insulin levels, it is not a substitute for diabetes medication. Only take Gymnema with other blood-sugar-lowering medicines under your doctor’s supervision.