Gymnema Sylvestre May Reduce Sweet Taste Perception

A 2020 study found that a Gymnema sylvestre mouth rinse used before sweets significantly reduced sweet taste intensity versus control. Gymnemic acids block sweet taste receptors on the tongue. Although, another study found that Gymnema may not necessarily affect behavioral intake of sweets. Gymnema may cause stomach upset among other, more serious, side effects. Long-term data and guidance on dosing is lacking.

Kashima N, Kimura K, Nishitani N, Yamaoka Endo M, Fukuba Y, Kashima H. Suppression of Oral Sweet Sensations during Consumption of Sweet Food in Humans: Effects on Gastric Emptying Rate, Glycemic Response, Appetite, Food Satisfaction and Desire for Basic Tastes. Nutrients. 2020 Apr 28;12(5):1249. doi: 10.3390/nu12051249. PMID: 32353974; PMCID: PMC7282028.

Turner S, Diako C, Kruger R, Wong M, Wood W, Rutherfurd-Markwick K, Stice E, Ali A. The Effect of a 14-Day gymnema sylvestre Intervention to Reduce Sugar Cravings in Adults. Nutrients. 2022 Dec 12;14(24):5287. doi: 10.3390/nu14245287. PMID: 36558446; PMCID: PMC9788288.