6 health benefits of gymnema sylvestre!

The benefits of gymnema sylvestre we should all know about as it is a woody shrub that is native to the tropical forests of India. Its leaves have been used in ancient Indian Ayurvedic medicinal medicine for thousands of years.

It has been a traditional remedy for various ailments, including diabetes , malaria , and snakebites . This herb is considered to inhibit the absorption of sugar and thus has become a popular subject of study in Western medicine.

Health benefits of gymnema sylvestre :

1. Reduce Sugar Cravings:

Gymnema sylvestre can reduce sugar cravings. One of the main active components of this plant is gymnemic acid, which helps to suppress sweetness. When consumed before a sugary food or drink, gymnemic acid blocks the sugar receptors on the taste buds. Research shows that extracts can reduce the ability to taste sweetness and thus make sweet foods less appealing to the skin .

In a study of fasting subjects, half were given Gymnema extract. Those who received the supplement had less of an appetite for sweet foods and were more likely to limit food consumption, compared to those not taking the extract.

2. Lower blood sugar:

According to the World Health Organization, more than 420 million people worldwide have diabetes , and that number is expected to increase. Diabetes is a metabolic disease characterized by high blood sugar levels . It is caused by your body’s inability to produce or use insulin effectively.

Ggymnema sylvestre  is considered to have anti-diabetic properties. As a supplement, it has been used in combination with other diabetes medications to lower blood sugar. It is also called gurmar, which is Hindi for “sugar destroyer”. Similar to its effects on your taste buds, it can also block receptors in your intestines and thus sugar absorption, lowering post-meal blood sugar levels.

Scientific evidence of Gymnema’s ability to lower blood sugar is insufficient to recommend it as a standalone diabetes drug. However, research has shown strong potential. Studies have found that consuming 200 to 400 mg of gymnemic acid reduces the intestinal absorption of glucose from sugar.

In one study, Gymnema appeared to improve blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes by lowering blood sugar levels. The study concluded that lowering blood sugar after a meal resulted in a decrease in average blood sugar levels over time. This could lessen the long-term complications of diabetes.

3. For insulin levels:

Gymnema’s role in insulin secretion and cell regeneration may also contribute to its blood sugar lowering capabilities. Higher insulin levels mean that sugar is eliminated from the blood at a faster rate.

If you have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes , your body tends to not produce enough insulin, or your cells become less sensitive to it over time. This results in consistently high blood sugar levels. Gymnema sylvestre stimulates the  production of insulin in the pancreas, promoting the regeneration of insulin-producing islet cells. This can lower blood sugar levels.

Many traditional remedies help to increase insulin secretion and sensitivity. However, herbal therapies are gaining traction in drug development. Interestingly, metformin, the first antidiabetic drug, was a herbal formulation isolated from Galega officinalis.

4. Improve Cholesterol Levels:

Gymnema sylvestre can lower LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. While Gymnema earns its fame as lowering blood sugar levels and reducing sugar cravings, research has shown that it can also influence fat absorption and lipid levels.

In a study in rats on a high-fat diet, Gymnema extract aided weight maintenance and suppressed liver fat accumulation. In addition, animals fed the extract and a normal fat diet had lower triglyceride levels.

Another study found that Gymnema extract had an anti-obesity effect in animals fed a high-fat diet. It also decreased blood fat and LDL cholesterol levels.

Furthermore, a study in people with moderate obesity showed that Gymnema extract reduced triglycerides and “LDL” cholesterol by 20.2% and 19%, respectively. In addition, it increased HDL cholesterol levels by 22%.

High levels of LDL cholesterol and “bad” triglycerides are risk factors for heart disease. Therefore, the positive effects of gymnema sylvestre  on LDL and triglyceride levels may contribute to a lower risk of heart disease .

5. Help with weight loss:

Gymnema sylvestre extracts have  been shown to help with weight loss in animals and humans. A three-week study showed reduced body weight in mice given an aqueous extract. In another study, mice on a high-fat diet that were fed a Gymnema extract gained less weight.

Additionally, a study in 60 moderately obese people taking a Gymnema extract found a 5-6% reduction in body weight, as well as a reduction in food intake. By blocking sweet receptors in your taste buds, it can make you eat less sweet foods and consume fewer calories.

In addition, its ability to reduce sugar absorption reduces calorie absorption. A consistent calorie deficit can result in weight loss.

6. Help reduce inflammation:

Inflammation plays an important role in your body’s healing process. Some inflammation is good as it helps in protecting the body from harmful organisms in case of injury or infection. Other times, inflammation can be caused by the environment or the food consumed. However, chronic low-grade inflammation can contribute to a number of health problems.

Studies have confirmed the link between sugar consumption and increased inflammatory markers in animals and humans. Gymnema sylvestre ‘s ability to reduce the absorption of sugar in the intestines may also allow inflammation caused by excessive sugar consumption to decrease.

Gymnema sylvestre side effects :

It is traditionally consumed as a tea or by chewing on its leaves. In Western medicine, it is typically taken in pill or tablet form, making it easier to control and monitor the dosage. It can also be taken in the form of leaf extract or powder.

Dosage:

The recommended dosage of gymnema sylvestre  depends on the form consumed:

• Tea: Let it boil for 5 minutes and let it steep for 10 to 15 minutes before drinking.
• Powder: Start with 2 grams, increasing to 4 grams if no side effects occur.
• Capsule: 100 mg, 3 to 4 times a day