Global Ingredient Risk Index Weight Loss

Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia gummi-gutta

Also known as: Garcinia gummi-gutta, Malabar tamarind, Brindleberry, Kudam puli, HCA

04 მარ 2026

MODERATE RISK 5.5/10 How?

Evidence Strength: MODERATE

This ingredient receives a unclassified risk score due to safety concerns identified by health authorities in USA, France. Scientific evidence indicates hydroxycitric acid (HCA) in Garcinia Cambogia is thought to inhibit the enzyme…. Reported adverse effects include nausea and headache.

Common Adverse Effects

Nausea
headache
dizziness
dry mouth
gastrointestinal discomfort

Serious Adverse Effects

Hepatotoxicity
serotonin syndrome
allergic reactions

Contraindications

Liver disease
bipolar disorder
pregnancy
breastfeeding
People taking Antidepressants

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Drug / Nutrient	Interaction Mechanism	Warning
Antidepressants	potential for serotonin syndrome — monitor for symptoms. Statins: increased risk of rhabdomyolysis — use with caution. Warfarin: altered anticoagulant effect — monitor INR closely.	Monitor

Garcinia Cambogia, scientifically known as Garcinia gummi-gutta, is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia and India. It is commonly used in dietary supplements for weight loss due to its purported ability to inhibit fat production. The active component, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), is believed to suppress appetite and promote fat metabolism.

Chemical Class: Organic acid
Biological Class: Phytochemical
Natural Source: Garcinia gummi-gutta, fruit rind
Scientific Name: Garcinia gummi-gutta
Chemical Formula: C6H8O8
CAS Number: 6205-14-7

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) in Garcinia Cambogia is thought to inhibit the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase, which is involved in the conversion of carbohydrates into fat. By blocking this enzyme, HCA may reduce fat storage and increase fat oxidation. Additionally, HCA is believed to increase serotonin levels, potentially leading to reduced appetite and food intake.

Indication	Evidence Level	Summary
General	Moderate	Clinical studies on Garcinia Cambogia for weight loss have shown mixed results. Some trials suggest modest weight loss benefits, while others show no significant effects. The quality of studies varies, with many having small sample sizes and short durations. Overall, the evidence for its efficacy in weight loss is inconsistent and requires further high-quality research.

Evidence levels: Strong Moderate Limited Experimental

Absorption

Oral absorption of hydroxycitric acid is relatively low, with peak plasma concentrations occurring within 1-2 hours after ingestion. The bioavailability of HCA is limited, which may affect its efficacy.

Distribution

HCA is distributed throughout the body, but specific data on volume of distribution and protein binding are limited. It is unclear if HCA crosses the blood-brain barrier.

Metabolism

HCA is metabolized in the liver, but detailed metabolic pathways and specific enzymes involved are not well-characterized. The primary metabolites have not been fully identified.

Excretion

Excretion of HCA is primarily through the urine, with renal clearance being the main route. Biliary excretion has not been extensively studied.

Condition / Use	Typical Dose
Weight loss	500-1500 mg of HCA per day. Appetite suppression: 500 mg of HCA three times daily before meals.

Dosage ranges are based on clinical studies and commonly used supplement formulations. Individual requirements may vary.

SETI Score 50/100

Risk Level High risk

Scientific Confidence Low

Evidence Strength Limited

Key Benefit Garcinia Cambogia, scientifically known as Garcinia gummi-gutta, is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia and India.

Key Safety Concern Garcinia Cambogia has been associated with rare cases of liver toxicity, prompting caution in individuals with pre-existing liver conditions. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid its use due to insufficient safety data. Some reports suggest potential interactions with medications affecting serotonin levels.

Evidence Reviewed 10 PubMed studies

Scientific Confidence Low

Based on study quality, consistency, and recency

Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment

SETI Score 50/100

Risk Level High risk

Evidence Strength Limited

Main Benefit Garcinia Cambogia, scientifically known as Garcinia gummi-gutta, is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia and India.

Main Safety Concern Garcinia Cambogia has been associated with rare cases of liver toxicity, prompting caution in individuals with pre-existing liver conditions. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid its use due to insufficient safety data. Some reports suggest potential interactions with medications affecting serotonin levels.

Ingredient Garcinia Cambogia

Scientific name Garcinia gummi-gutta

Scientific Evidence Overview

10 studies reviewed
0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or RCT)
Main clinical benefit observed: Garcinia Cambogia, scientifically known as Garcinia gummi-gutta, is a tropical fruit native to Southeast Asia and India.
Evidence consistency: High consistency across studies (100%)

Safety Signals

Garcinia Cambogia has been associated with rare cases of liver toxicity, prompting caution in individuals with pre-existing liver conditions. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid its use due to insufficient safety data. Some reports suggest potential interactions with medications affecting serotonin levels.

Evidence Strength Limited

Regulatory Status

USA/FDA — Approved

Final Scientific Assessment

The available scientific evidence for Garcinia Cambogia indicates notable safety signals that warrant caution. Use should be considered carefully and monitored, particularly in sensitive populations or alongside other medications.

Ingredient Garcinia Cambogia

Evidence reviewed 10 peer-reviewed studies (last 10 years)

Scientific name Garcinia gummi-gutta

50 /100

Total SETI Score

High risk

Evidence quality	10/40
Evidence consistency	20/20
Safety signals	0/20
Study recency	10/10
Evidence transparency	10/10

Evidence Summary

10 studies reviewed
0 high-quality studies (meta-analysis or systematic review)
0 studies identified benefits or no safety concern (GREEN)
10 studies reported limited or advisory safety evidence (YELLOW)

Evidence Policy

Only peer-reviewed scientific literature indexed in PubMed or comparable databases is included in this evaluation. Commercial websites, blogs, and marketing materials are excluded. All references include direct traceable links to source documents.

Last updated: 06 მარ 2026, 12:01

Evidence Distribution

1 Animal studies

9 Other / unclassified

Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Hepatotoxicity of dietary supplements containing Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) N. Robson. ↗

PMID 41262061 ↗

Journal Pharm Biol

Year 2025

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41262061/

van Breemen RB et al.. Hepatotoxicity of dietary supplements containing Garcinia gummi-gutta (L.) N. Robson.. Pharm Biol. 2025. PMID:41262061.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Phyto-mediated green synthesis and characterization of anti-mucormycotic silver nanoparticles from fruit extract of Garcinia gummi-gutta and Garcinia indica: a novel biofabrication approach… ↗

PMID 41081014 ↗

Journal 3 Biotech

Year 2025

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41081014/

Basaiah T et al.. Phyto-mediated green synthesis and characterization of anti-mucormycotic silver nanoparticles from fruit extract of Garcinia gummi-gutta and Garcinia indica: a novel biofabrication approach for combating mucormycosis pathogens.. 3 Biotech. 2025. PMID:41081014.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Performance and emission prediction using ANN (artificial neural network) on H(2)-assisted Garcinia gummi-gutta biofuel doped with nano additives. ↗

PMID 39966510 ↗

Journal Sci Rep

Year 2025

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39966510/

Venu H et al.. Performance and emission prediction using ANN (artificial neural network) on H(2)-assisted Garcinia gummi-gutta biofuel doped with nano additives.. Sci Rep. 2025. PMID:39966510.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Therapeutic Potential of Suaeda japonica Makino Leaf Extract Against Obesity in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and HFD-Induced C57BL/6u00a0J Mice. ↗

PMID 39775455 ↗

Journal Appl Biochem Biotechnol

Year 2025

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39775455/

Chandrasekaran A et al.. Therapeutic Potential of Suaeda japonica Makino Leaf Extract Against Obesity in 3T3-L1 Preadipocytes and HFD-Induced C57BL/6u00a0J Mice.. Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2025. PMID:39775455.
Animal study LOW evidence YELLOW
Comprehensive analysis of malabar tamarind fruit rind total extract: HPTLC fingerprinting, in-silico exploration of its metabolites for SARS-cov-2 omicron spike protein, antibacterial… ↗

PMID 39170184 ↗

Journal Heliyon

Year 2024

Study type Animal study

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39170184/

Khojah H et al.. Comprehensive analysis of malabar tamarind fruit rind total extract: HPTLC fingerprinting, in-silico exploration of its metabolites for SARS-cov-2 omicron spike protein, antibacterial and antidiabetic potentials with in vitro evaluation of antidiabetic and antioxidant activities.. Heliyon. 2024. PMID:39170184.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
iso-Guttiferone J and Structure Revision of Guttiferone J from Garcinia gummi-gutta: A Combined Experimental and Integrated QM/NMR Approach. ↗

PMID 38843801 ↗

Journal Planta Med

Year 2024

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38843801/

Pandey P et al.. iso-Guttiferone J and Structure Revision of Guttiferone J from Garcinia gummi-gutta: A Combined Experimental and Integrated QM/NMR Approach.. Planta Med. 2024. PMID:38843801.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
One-Pot Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Garcinia gummi-gutta: Characterisation, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-Cancerous and Photocatalytic Applications. ↗

PMID 37664941 ↗

Journal Front Biosci (Landmark Ed)

Year 2023

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37664941/

Kurian JT et al.. One-Pot Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles from Garcinia gummi-gutta: Characterisation, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant, Anti-Cancerous and Photocatalytic Applications.. Front Biosci (Landmark Ed). 2023. PMID:37664941.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Metarhizium indicum, a new species of entomopathogenic fungus infecting leafhopper, Busoniomimus manjunathi from India. ↗

PMID 37004918 ↗

Journal J Invertebr Pathol

Year 2023

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37004918/

Senthil Kumar CM et al.. Metarhizium indicum, a new species of entomopathogenic fungus infecting leafhopper, Busoniomimus manjunathi from India.. J Invertebr Pathol. 2023. PMID:37004918.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Garcinia gummi-gutta: Phytochemicals and pharmacological applications. ↗

PMID 36785888 ↗

Journal Biofactors

Year 2023

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36785888/

Anilkumar AT et al.. Garcinia gummi-gutta: Phytochemicals and pharmacological applications.. Biofactors. 2023. PMID:36785888.
Observational / other LOW evidence YELLOW
Quality Evaluation of Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss Based on Garcinia cambogia. ↗

PMID 35893931 ↗

Journal Nutrients

Year 2022

Study type Observational / other

Evidence strength LOW evidence

PubMed link https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35893931/

Mena-Garcu00eda A et al.. Quality Evaluation of Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss Based on Garcinia cambogia.. Nutrients. 2022. PMID:35893931.

Q × L × D × S × 10 = 5.5 / 10

The GIRI Score is the product of four independently computed evidence components, each normalised to 0–1, then scaled to 0–10. Every component is derived exclusively from peer-reviewed references and regulatory data — no editorial judgement is applied.

0 of 10 approved references (score saturates at 10). More peer-reviewed studies = stronger evidence base.

Method: Q = number of approved references ÷ 10 (capped at 1.0)

50%

Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies

Method: L = mean study-level weight across approved references. Level 1 (meta-analysis / systematic review) = 1.0; Level 2 (RCT) = 0.8; Level 3 (cohort/case-control) = 0.6; Level 4 (case report) = 0.4; Level 5 (animal / in-vitro) = 0.2.

Benefit

Risk

50%

Mixed or neutral — roughly equal benefit and risk signals

Method: D = (sum of risk-scored references − sum of benefit-scored references) ÷ total evidence score, then scaled from [−1, 1] to [0, 1]. 0.0 = pure benefit; 0.5 = neutral; 1.0 = pure risk.

85%

High volume of active regulatory or adverse-event signals

Method: S = 0.5 (neutral baseline) + sum of active signal severity deltas ÷ 10. Severity deltas: Critical = +2.0, High = +1.5, Moderate = +1.0, Low = +0.5. Capped at 1.0.

0Q × 5L × 5D × 8.5S = 5.5 / 10

Final GIRI Score for Garcinia Cambogia. Risk level thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.

Full methodology & data sources

The GIRI Score is computed entirely from structured data — no editorial scoring or subjective weighting is applied at any step.

References: Only approved references are counted. Each reference is assigned an evidence level (L1–L5) and a direction (risk / neutral / benefit) by the reference manager or AI classifier.
Safety Signals: Sourced from regulatory agencies (FDA, EMA, Health Canada, TGA, and others) and pharmacovigilance databases. Only active signals count toward the score.
Formula version: GIRI Score v3.7.0 — Q × L × D × S × 10.
Limitations: The score reflects published evidence and recorded signals as of the last update date. It is not a clinical risk assessment and should not replace advice from a qualified healthcare professional.

MODERATE RISK 5.5/10

Based on available regulatory signals and scientific evidence, this ingredient presents a moderate safety concern. Caution is advised, particularly at high doses or in sensitive populations.

LOW
0–3.0

MODERATE
3.0–5.5

HIGH
5.5–7.5

CRITICAL
7.5–10

5.5

The score pin shows exactly where this ingredient falls on the fixed risk scale.

What drove the Moderate classification for Garcinia Cambogia

A score of 5.5 places this ingredient in the Moderate band. Thresholds: Low 0–3.0 · Moderate 3.0–5.5 · High 5.5–7.5 · Critical 7.5–10.

0 approved references.

Limited — mostly case reports or animal studies (Level 4–5).

Neutral or mixed — benefit and risk signals roughly balanced.

2 active signals (highest severity: Critical). Each active signal raises S above the neutral baseline of 0.5.

1 jurisdiction has active restrictions or advisories. Regulatory signals are recorded as Safety Signals and raise the S component.

How are the Low / Moderate / High / Critical thresholds defined?

The four risk levels are fixed score bands. A score is assigned to exactly one level based on where it falls:

Level	Score	Meaning
LOW	0.0 – 2.9	Sparse or predominantly beneficial evidence. No active safety alerts.
MODERATE	3.0 – 5.4	Mixed signals — some risk alongside benefit. Caution at high doses or in sensitive groups.
HIGH	5.5 – 7.4	Multiple studies or regulatory alerts documenting adverse effects. Professional oversight recommended.
CRITICAL	7.5 – 10	Regulatory restrictions in one or more major jurisdictions. Serious documented harm. Avoid without specialist supervision.

Thresholds are fixed constants (GIRI_Score_Utils::LEVEL_THRESHOLDS). They do not change per ingredient and are never subject to editorial adjustment.

← Back to Ingredient Database

Garcinia Cambogia

Safety Profile

Common Adverse Effects

Serious Adverse Effects

Contraindications

Interactions

Evidence and Scientific Findings

Ingredient Overview

Biological and Chemical Classification

Mechanism of Action

Clinical Evidence of Effectiveness

Pharmacokinetics

Recommended Dosage

SETI — Scientific Evidence Transparency Index

Executive Summary — Ingredient Assessment

Evidence Summary

Evidence Policy

Evidence Distribution

Score Transparency

Risk Level Classification

What drove the Moderate classification for Garcinia Cambogia

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