Consuming Gymnema sylvestre Reduces the Desire for High-Sugar Sweet Foods

Abstract

Background. Gymnemic acids, from the plant Gymnema sylvestre (GS), selectively suppress taste responses to sweet compounds without affecting the perception of other taste elements. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of consuming a GS-containing mint on the desire to consume high-sugar sweet foods directly thereafter. Methods. This study utilized a single-blind, crossover design comparing the consumption of a mint (dissolving tablet) containing 4 mg of gymnemic acids with an isocaloric placebo in 56 healthy young men and women. Participants were given samples of their favourite chocolate (varied between 14–18 g; energy varied between 292–370 kJ) and were directed to rate on their hunger on 100-mm visual analogue scales 30 s prior to consuming high-sugar sweet food (chocolate). They then consumed the GS mint or placebo mint and rated their perceived pleasantness and desire for more chocolate on separate visual analogue scales immediately following consumption of the high-sugar sweet food before being offered up to five additional servings (and asked to rate hunger, pleasantness and desire to eat more chocolate between each ingestion period). Results. The number of chocolate bars eaten decreased by 0.48 bars (21.3%) within a 15-min period of consumption of the GS mint (p = 0.006). Desire to eat more of the high-sugar sweet food (p = 0.011) and pleasantness of the high-sugar sweet food (p < 0.001) was reduced after GS mint intake. Those who reported having a ‘sweet tooth’ had a greater reduction in the pleasantness of chocolate (p = 0.037) and desire to eat more (p = 0.004) after consuming the GS mint for the first serving of a high-sugar sweet food following the mint. Conclusion. Consuming gymnema-containing mints compared to placebo significantly reduced the quantity of chocolate eaten mainly due to a decrease in the desire and pleasantness of consuming it.

Suppression of sweet taste-related responses by plant-derived bioactive compounds and eating. Part I: A systematic review in humans

“…We found 7 studies concerning affective experiences related to hedonics, pleasantness or liking. Specifically, labelled hedonic magnitude scales were applied in 4 studies [ 55 , [65] , [66] , [67] ], a hedonic category in 1 study [ 29 ], and hedonic visual analogue scales in 2 studies [ 68 , 69 ].…”

“…Studies agree that Gymnema sylvestre reduced the subject's perceived taste liking of sweet stimuli [ 29 , 66 , 67 ]. Taking into account placebo-controlled single-/double-blind crossover studies, Turner et al [ 69 ] found that participants reduced the pleasantness of eating chocolate (31.0%) while eating the first piece of chocolate following the gymnema treatment (Sweetkick) compared to the same isocaloric ingredients but without gymnemic acids. Consistently with this, Nobel et al [ 68 ] observed that gymnema-containing lozenges reduced the pleasantness rating among subjects who ate a second candy in comparison to a placebo.…”

Suppression of sweet taste-related responses by plant-derived bioactive compounds and eating. Part II: A systematic review in animals

“…Finally, the temporary reduced sensory neural input treatment with Gymnema sylvestre has been associated with a decrease in pleasantness, desire and consumption of sweeteners in humans [ 51 ]. In this sense, Stice and Yokum [ 52 ] used fMRI and showed that blocking human sweet taste receptors with gymnemic acids not only reduced the reward region response to the intake of high-sugar foods, but also reduced anticipated reward from high-sugar foods, potentially via a feedback loop regarding the availability of sweet taste receptors to convey perceptual input concerning sweet tastes.…”

The effect of Gymnema sylvestre on motivations to consume sweet foods – a qualitative investigation

“…Motivations to eat SSF may contribute to high sugar intakes (2) . The herb Gymnema sylvestre (GS) may reduce SSF consumption (3) , but its effects on motivations to eat SSF are unknown. This study aimed to investigate effects of GS on adult's motivations to eat SSF.…”