Garcinia cambogia is trending as a controversial weight loss supplement. It’s derived from the Southeast Asian citrus fruit of the Garcinia family trees. Experts are divided concerning its weight loss efficacy. The famous Dr. Oz and other physicians say it can make you burn a lot of fat if taken correctly, but many other board-certified medical doctors declare it won’t help you lose weight better than taking a placebo.
Here’s a thought–what if both approaches are wrong? Maybe garcinia cambogia can burn your fat, or maybe not. But everyone’s forgetting that it’s a fruit! And most fruits in their natural forms are superfoods. You should decide whether to bring this wonderful fruit into your life based on its holistic health benefits rather than whether it can or can’t help trim your waistline!
Here are garcinia cambogia’s other health benefits:
1. Helps you lose weight
Let’s address the elephant in the room first. The popular Dr. Oz believes you can bust body fat for good with garcinia cambogia.
Science does back him. Research does show that garcinia cambogia helps you lose weight, but it’s how much weight you can lose from taking the supplements that everyone’s flustered about. The fruit contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which has been proven to lower your appetite and boost your fat-burning.
How? Animal and human studies discovered that HCA acts on genes responsible for your fat’s leptin production. Leptin is the awesome hormone that tells your brain to turn down your appetite. HCA also acts on obesity-regulating genes.
Studies also found that eating garcinia cambogia can lower your cholesterol and insulin levels. Lowered insulin means your body slows down packing fat.
It’s also been proven to boost your endurance during workouts, which means you’ll be able to exercise longer and burn more calories.
Whether you’ll lose two pounds or 20, it will definitely help you lose some weight.
2. Protects you from cancer
Garcinia cambogia also has good compounds, like xanthones and garcinol, that protect you from cancer. These have been shown to kill cancer cells and prevent their spread. They also lower inflammation in your brain, kidneys, and intestines. Chronic inflammation increases your risk for cancer.
Garcinol also has antioxidant properties, which means it helps keep you looking young and saves you from chronic diseases.
3. Protects your liver from alcohol and inflammation
A few studies found that HCA protects your liver from becoming overwhelmed when processing alcohol. It also reduces inflammation in your liver, preserving its health.
But ask your doctor before trying to take the supplement after drinking with your friends this weekend!
4. Protects your brain from injury and your digestive system from ulcers
Garcinol has been found to protect your brain from injury by shielding your brain’s specialized guardian cells (called astrocytes) from neurotoxin buildup.
It has also been found to protect your gut from ulcers by protecting it from harmful hydroxyl free radicals.
5. Can help protect you from HIV
It’s hard to imagine that eating a fruit can ward away the dreaded HIV. Garcinol has been found to interfere with the virus’s ability to replicate and function normally. It messes with important proteins that are responsible for supporting the reading and transcribing of the virus’s genetics.
Of course this doesn’t mean that taking the supplement or eating the fruit will magically make you immune to HIV! It hinders the virus, yes, but it certainly won’t stop it. Even if you’re eating garcinia cambogia everyday, don’t discontinue your safe practices that keep HIV away.
If you’re on the fence about garcinia cambogia, don’t look at it as a weight loss miracle. Treat it like you would blueberries; it’s just another superfood fruit rich with health benefits. You can buy and eat the fruit fresh, or buy garcinia cambogia juice to cool you during a hot day. If you’re pregnant or taking medications, it’s best to ask your doctor first because garcinia cambogia can amplify the effects of hypertension and cholesterol medications.
Featured photo credit: Bishnu Sarangi via pixabay.com
