Study Suggests Extract May Help Reduce Body Weight and Fat

Gynostemma pentaphyllum (also known as jiaogulan) is a climbing vine native to China that has been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine. A recent study suggests that an extract derived from gynostemma pentaphyllum may help reduce body weight, body mass index (BMI), and total fat mass.

Participants in the study included 117 adults who were overweight or obese. They were given 450 mg of gynostemma pentaphyllum extract or a placebo daily for 16 weeks. The researchers measured body composition, weight, BMI, and hip and waist circumference at baseline and at the end of the study period.

Participants in the extract group saw significant reductions in total body weight, BMI, and total fat mass compared to the placebo group. In addition, women in the extract group saw significant reductions in hip and backside fat, and men saw significant reductions in abdominal fat.

The study was conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney. It was published online ahead of print on July 29, 2021, in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.