The Gymnema Sylvestre plant has numerous health benefits. It can, for instance, help fight sugar cravings and reduce blood sugar levels. It can also aid in fighting inflammation, assist in weight loss, and reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Gymnema Sylvestre is a climber with a woody appearance. It is indigenous to forests of tropical India, Africa, and Australia.
Its leaves were used in the old Indian therapeutic practice of Ayurveda for a long time.
It has been used as a traditional treatment for various diseases, including diabetes, snakebites, and malaria.
This herb is believed to reduce sugar absorption, making it an extremely popular research topic in Western medicine.
Here are 6 excellent health benefits from Gymnema Sylvestre.
1. Reduces Sugar Cravings by Making Sweet Foods Taste Less Appealing
Gymnema Sylvestre may help to reduce sugar cravings.
One of the main active components of the plant is gymnemic acid, which helps to reduce sweetness.
If consumed before a sweet beverage or food, gymnemic acid blocks sugar receptors in the taste buds.
Studies have shown that Gymnema Sylvestre extracts may lower the sweetness flavor and make sweet foods less appealing.
In a study conducted on fasted people, half received Gymnema extract. People who were given the supplement were less hungry for sweet foods during the next meal and were prone to restricting their food intake compared to those who did not take the extract.
SUMMARY
Gymnemic acids found in Gymnema Sylvestre could block sugar receptors on the tongue, reducing the ability of the tongue to detect sweetness and resulting in a decrease in sugar cravings.
2. Helps Lower Blood Sugar Levels
Based on the World Health Organization, more than 420 million people in the world suffer from diabetes. The amount is projected to grow.
Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by high blood sugar levels. It is caused by the body's inability to create or utilize insulin effectively.
Gymnema Sylvestre is thought to have anti-diabetic effects.
As an additive, it's been incorporated into other diabetes medicines to reduce blood sugar levels. It's also known as gurmar, which in Hindi means “destroyer of sugar.”
In addition to its effects on taste senses, Gymnema sylvestre can also interfere with the receptors in your intestines, decreasing sugar absorption and blood sugar levels.
The scientific evidence of Gymnema's ability to lower blood sugar levels is insufficient to warrant its use as a stand-alone diabetes treatment. However, research shows strong potential.
Research suggests that eating between 200 and 400 mg of gymnemic acid can reduce the intestine's absorption of sugar glucose.
One study found that Gymnema helps improve blood sugar levels in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels.
The study found that decreasing blood sugar following an eating event resulted in a reduction in blood sugar over time. This could reduce the chronic complications associated with diabetes.
For people with high blood sugar levels or high HbA1c, Gymnema Sylvestre is a great way to lower post-meal, fasting, or long-term blood sugars. If you're taking blood sugar-lowering medication, consult your physician first.
SUMMARY
Gymnema Sylvestre is a natural anti-diabetic and could lower blood sugar levels following eating.
3. May Contribute to Favorable Insulin Levels by Increasing Insulin Production
Gymnema's involvement in insulin secretion and cell regeneration could aid in its ability to lower blood sugar levels.
The higher levels of insulin mean that sugar gets eliminated from your blood at a more rapid rate.
If you suffer from prediabetes (also known as type 2 diabetes), your body tends to make less insulin, or your cells lose sensitivity to it as time passes. This causes constantly elevated blood sugars.
Gymnema Sylvestre can boost insulin production in your pancreas, which can help promote the growth of insulin-producing cells. This could help lower the blood sugar levels.
Traditional medicines can help boost insulin sensitivity and secretion. However, herbal remedies are becoming more popular in drug development.
Incredibly, metformin was the first anti-diabetic medication and was a plant-based formulation derived by Galega officinalis.
SUMMARY
Gymnema Sylvestre is believed to help achieve favorable insulin levels by increasing insulin production and creating insulin-secreting cells. Both can help lower blood sugar levels.
4. Improves Cholesterol and Triglyceride Levels, Reducing Heart Disease Risk
Gymnema sylvestre can aid in lowering “bad” LDL cholesterol levels and triglycerides.
While Gymnema is famous for its ability to lower blood sugar levels and reduce sugar cravings, research has shown that it can also affect the absorption of fats and lipids.
In one study on rats eating a high-fat diet, Gymnema extract was found to aid in weight loss and slow excess liver fat. In addition, rats who were fed the extract, as well as the normal fat diet, had lower levels of triglycerides.
Another study revealed that Gymnema extracts had a positive anti-obesity impact on animals fed a high-fat diet. They also reduced blood fat levels and “bad” LDL cholesterol levels.
A study of moderately obese people revealed that Gymnema extract reduced triglycerides and good “LDL” cholesterol levels by 20.2 percent and 19% and 19%, respectively. Additionally, it boosted “good” HDL cholesterol levels by 22%.
The high levels of “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglycerides are risk factors to heart disease.
So, Gymnema Sylvestre's positive effects on LDL and triglyceride levels might help reduce the risk of developing heart disease.
SUMMARY
Research suggests that Gymnema could reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which could lower one's risk of heart disease.
5. May Aid Weight Loss
Gymnema sylvestre extracts have been proven to help weight loss in animals and humans.
A three-week study revealed decreased body weight among rats fed an extract of water from Gymnema Sylvestre. In a different study, given the Gymnema extract, rats fed an extremely fat-rich diet gained less weight.
Additionally, research with 60 moderately obese people who took the Gymnema extract revealed an average of 5-6 percent reduction in body weight along with a decrease in food consumption.
By blocking the sweet receptors on your taste senses, Gymnema Sylvestre may cause you to consume fewer sweet foods and fewer calories.
A steady deficit in calories could lead to weight loss.
SUMMARY
Gymnema sylvestre could contribute to losing weight and preventing weight increase. It can help in reducing calorie consumption.
6. Helps Reduce Inflammation Due to Its Tannin and Saponin Content
Inflammation plays a crucial part in the health process.
Inflammation can be beneficial in certain situations, for instance, in helping to protect yourself from harming microbes when you suffer injuries or infections.
Sometimes, inflammation could result from the environment or the food you consume.
But, chronic inflammation of a low grade can lead to many health issues.
Studies have established the link between high sugar intake and increased inflammation markers in animals and humans.
The capacity of Gymnema Sylvestre to decrease sugar absorption by the intestines could help to reduce inflammation that is caused by excessive consumption of sugar.
Additionally, Gymnema appears to have anti-inflammatory properties. This is believed to be because of its content of saponins and tannins, which are plant-based compounds that can be beneficial.
Gymnema sylvestre leaves are regarded as an immune stimulatory, which controls the immune system and reduces inflammation.
Patients with diabetes not only suffer from elevated blood sugar levels and insulin resistance, but they also have lower levels of antioxidants, which may contribute to inflammation.
Because of its anti-inflammatory properties, Gymnema sylvestre can help people who suffer from hypertension and diabetes in many ways, including by fighting inflammation.
SUMMARY
The saponins and tannins found in Gymnema contain anti-inflammatory properties that combat inflammation.
Dosage, Safety and Side Effects
Gymnema Sylvestre is typically consumed as a tea or chewing on its leaves.
In Western medical practices, it's generally consumed in tablet or pill form, which simplifies monitoring and controlling dosage. It is also ingested in leaf powder or extract form.
Dosage
The dosage recommended for Gymnema Sylvestre varies based on the type of form you take.
- Tea is made by boiling leaves for 5 minutes and letting them sit for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking.
- Powder: Begin with 2 grams and increase to 4 grams if no adverse reactions occur.
- Capsule: 100 mg, 3-4 times daily.
If you're considering using Gymnema Sylvestre to shut down the sugar receptors on your tongue, take the supplement along with a glass of water five to ten minutes before eating a meal high in sugar or a snack.
Safety Information
Gymnema Sylvestre is considered to be to be safe for the majority of people, however it is not recommended by women or children who are nursing, pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Additionally, while it may appear to increase blood sugar and insulin levels, gymnema is not a replacement for diabetes treatment. Take Gymnema along with other blood sugar-lowering drugs under the guidance of your physician.
Possible Side Effects
Although this medication's effects on blood sugar levels are very positive, the combination of Gymnema sylvestre with other blood-sugar-lowering drugs can result in a dangerous decrease in glucose levels.
This may cause side consequences, including nausea, headache, lightheadedness, shakiness, and dizziness.
Gymnema sylvestre supplements should not be used concurrently with blood-sugar-lowering drugs, including insulin injections. It is important to consult your doctor regarding the most appropriate time to take this supplement.
Furthermore, this product should be consumed together with aspirin or St. John's Wort because this could boost the effect of Gymnema's blood sugar-lowering.
Finally, people with allergies to milkweed may also experience undesirable reactions.
Always consult with your doctor before taking any herbal supplements.
SUMMARY
Gymnema is considered to be safe for the majority of people, however women and children who are breastfeeding, pregnant or are planning to become pregnant shouldn't use the drug. Patients taking blood sugar-lowering medication should talk to a physician before taking it.
The Bottom Line
Gymnema Sylvestre could aid you in fighting sugar cravings and reduce blood sugar levels.
The plant can also play an essential role in treating diabetes since it could help boost insulin production and renewal of pancreas islet cells -which in turn can aid in lowering blood sugar levels.
Additionally, gymnema may fight inflammation, help with weight loss, and reduce “bad” LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Although it's safe for most people, you should consult with your doctor before you start, especially if you plan to use the supplement along with other medicines.
In the end, if sugar is among your addictions, consider a cup of Gymnema Sylvestre tea to aid in reducing your consumption.
