Key findings from detailed records
Pooled weight differences are small and sensitive to study quality. Rare reports of serious liver injury require proportionate attention and are not excluded by normal average liver tests in short trials.
KNOWLEDGE RECORD
- Category
- Metabolism and cellular function
- Last Reviewed
- 2026-09-27
Names and related search termsHCA; hydroxycitrate; Garcinia gummi-gutta; Garcinia cambogia
OUTCOME-SPECIFIC EVIDENCE
Scientific Evidence Profile
Assessment pending
An outcome-specific assessment has not yet been completed. This is not a finding that the ingredient is ineffective. The study records below remain available.
This profile concerns the stated outcome and population, not the ingredient as a whole. It is not a probability of benefit, a safety rating, a product efficacy rating or an indication of product adoption.
How we assess evidenceIngredient Profile
- What is it?
- Garcinia fruit rind contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA). The rind, an extract and isolated HCA are not identical materials. Liver injury has been reported with garcinia products. [1]
Sources for this profile
Compound properties and formulation properties are different. These sources do not establish the efficacy of a finished supplement.
- NCCIH — Garcinia Cambogia Public health reference. U.S. National Institutes of Health. Not an individual clinical trial.
Profile sources checked:
Read the evidence in context
- Evidence: what was measured in the stated population or experimental model.
- Inference: an interpretation connecting findings; its applicability depends on the study conditions.
- Hypothesis: a proposed explanation or effect that remains to be tested.
Why It Matters #
Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is a constituent of Garcinia cambogia, also known as Garcinia gummi-gutta. Research interest centers on lipid synthesis and weight regulation. Milligrams of HCA are not the same as milligrams of total extract; salt form and combination ingredients also matter. Garcinia mangostana is a different species.
What Was Studied #
Weight-loss trials generally studied adults with overweight or obesity, often alongside dietary advice. One large early trial used 1,500 mg/day of HCA with an energy-restricted, high-fiber diet in both groups. Later reviews pooled different extracts, doses and durations.[2][1][3]
What Was Found #
The 135-person trial found no additional weight-loss benefit: losses were 3.2 kg with HCA and 4.1 kg with placebo, a nonsignificant difference. Meta-analyses have estimated roughly 0.9–1.3 kg more loss with Garcinia/HCA, but those small averages conceal variation in trial quality and preparation.[2][1][3]
A 2025 synthesis found no overall improvement in glycemic measures or liver enzymes. Average ALT/AST results in a few hundred trial participants address a different question from rare, potentially severe liver injury reported during use.[4][11]
What the Evidence Means #
The available weight evidence does not establish durable weight maintenance or improved clinical outcomes. A statistically significant pooled difference can still be small, and it can change when weaker trials are removed. These findings concern selected formulations, not all products carrying the plant name.
What We Can Learn #
LiverTox describes rare acute liver injury associated with products labeled as containing Garcinia, including both combinations and single-ingredient products. Attribution can be uncertain, particularly in mixtures, and case reports do not provide an incidence rate. This is a credible safety signal to consider alongside modest weight effects, not a claim that every user develops liver injury.[11]
What Remains Unknown #
Unresolved questions include whether a standardized single preparation produces a sustained, clinically meaningful weight benefit, and which product or host factors contribute to liver injury. Larger, longer trials with transparent composition and systematic adverse-event reporting would be more informative than further short weight-only studies.
LITERATURE MAP / 10 PAPERS
Compare papers by conditions and findings.
Compare populations, preparations, doses and outcomes. Detailed records below assess selected studies; the remaining entries provide a bibliographic route into related questions.
Selected: 2026-09-27. Bibliographic information checked against Europe PMC / PubMed. This editorial selection includes major trials, evidence syntheses and different research questions; it is not an exhaustive systematic review. Paper counts are not counts of independent trials.
10 RECORDS
A dash marks fields not assessed in a bibliographic-only record.
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Explore the research Study Records
Listed doses describe study conditions, not recommended intake.
Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial.
PubMed 9820262 DOI: 10.1001/jama.280.18.1596
- Authors
- Heymsfield SB, Allison DB, Vasselli JR, Pietrobelli A, Greenfield D, Nunez C.
- Journal
- JAMA
- Publication year
- 1998
- Study design
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
- Participants
- 135 adults with overweight; 84 completed, 42 per group
- Dose and intervention
- 1,500 mg/day HCA versus placebo; both groups followed a low-energy, high-fiber diet
- Duration
- 12 weeks
- Outcomes and their role in the study
- Body weight and fat mass
- Findings
- Weight loss was 3.2 kg with HCA and 4.1 kg with placebo (P=0.14); no significant additional benefit.
- Limitations
- Substantial attrition; common dietary intervention; limited duration.
- Funding
- Not verified in the source material available for this record.
- Conflict of Interest
- Not verified in the source material available for this record.
- What We Can Learn
- The active group did not outperform the dietary-program control.
- Scope of source review
- Original abstract and bibliographic record reviewed; unavailable full-text details are not inferred.
The Use of Garcinia Extract (Hydroxycitric Acid) as a Weight loss Supplement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials.
PubMed 21197150 DOI: 10.1155/2011/509038
- Authors
- Onakpoya I, Hung SK, Perry R, Wider B, Ernst E.
- Journal
- Journal of obesity
- Publication year
- 2011
- Study design
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials
- Participants
- 12 trials included; nine contributed to the weight meta-analysis
- Dose and intervention
- Garcinia/HCA preparations versus placebo
- Duration
- Short-term trials with varying durations
- Outcomes and their role in the study
- Body-weight difference
- Findings
- Pooled difference approximately −0.88 kg (95% CI −1.75 to approximately 0).
- Limitations
- Small borderline estimate, heterogeneity and variable trial quality; not evidence of maintained loss.
- Funding
- One author received a GlaxoSmithKline research fellowship; the paper reports no funder role.
- Conflict of Interest
- The paper reports no other conflicts.
- What We Can Learn
- The pooled effect is modest and less secure than an unqualified “weight-loss” claim.
- Scope of source review
- Original full text and bibliographic record reviewed.
The effects of Garcinia cambogia on glycaemic control and liver enzymes in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.
PubMed 39943939 DOI: 10.1017/jns.2024.91
- Authors
- Tavakoli S, Amini MR, Rabiee R, Salavatizadeh M, Afsharianfar M, Askarpour M, Hekmatdoost A.
- Journal
- Journal of nutritional science
- Publication year
- 2025
- Study design
- Systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials
- Participants
- Nine publications; 444 adults
- Dose and intervention
- Garcinia cambogia supplementation versus control
- Duration
- Durations and regimens varied
- Outcomes and their role in the study
- Glycemic measures and liver enzymes
- Findings
- No significant overall effect on glycemic indices or ALT/AST.
- Limitations
- Mean laboratory outcomes and limited trial size cannot exclude rare idiosyncratic liver injury.
- Funding
- Not verified in the source material available for this record.
- Conflict of Interest
- Not verified in the source material available for this record.
- What We Can Learn
- A null average liver-enzyme result is not a comprehensive safety clearance.
- Scope of source review
- Original abstract and bibliographic record reviewed; unavailable full-text details are not inferred.
Cite this page
LÍFSVARÐA. Hydroxycitric Acid / Garcinia cambogia: How much weight change is supported by trials? Version 1.0 / Updated 2026-10-24
https://lifsvarda.com/knowledge/garcinia-cambogia/Edited by LÍFSVARÐA (product brand). Editorial policy
Primary Sources and updates
- Onakpoya I, Hung SK, Perry R, Wider B, Ernst E. (2011). The Use of Garcinia Extract (Hydroxycitric Acid) as a Weight loss Supplement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials. Journal of obesity DOI: 10.1155/2011/509038Original full text and bibliographic record reviewed.
- Heymsfield SB, Allison DB, Vasselli JR, Pietrobelli A, Greenfield D, Nunez C. (1998). Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA DOI: 10.1001/jama.280.18.1596Original abstract and bibliographic record reviewed; unavailable full-text details are not inferred.
- Golzarand M, Omidian M, Toolabi K. (2020). Effect of Garcinia cambogia supplement on obesity indices: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Complementary therapies in medicine DOI: 10.1016/j.ctim.2020.102451Bibliographic record; not a detailed study appraisal.
- Tavakoli S, Amini MR, Rabiee R, Salavatizadeh M, Afsharianfar M, Askarpour M, Hekmatdoost A. (2025). The effects of Garcinia cambogia on glycaemic control and liver enzymes in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials. Journal of nutritional science DOI: 10.1017/jns.2024.91Original abstract and bibliographic record reviewed; unavailable full-text details are not inferred.
- Amini MR, Rasaei N, Jalalzadeh M, Akhgarjand C, Hashemian M, Jalali P, Hekmatdoost A. (2024). The effects of Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) on lipid profile: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Phytotherapy research : PTR DOI: 10.1002/ptr.8102Bibliographic record; not a detailed study appraisal.
- Crescioli G, Lombardi N, Bettiol A, Marconi E, Risaliti F, Bertoni M, Menniti Ippolito F, Maggini V, Gallo E, Firenzuoli F, Vannacci A. (2018). Acute liver injury following Garcinia cambogia weight-loss supplementation: case series and literature review. Internal and emergency medicine DOI: 10.1007/s11739-018-1880-4Bibliographic record; not a detailed study appraisal.
- Cruz AC, Pinto AHS, Costa CDD, Oliveira LP, Oliveira-Neto JR, Cunha LC. (2021). Food-Effect on (-) - Hydroxycitric Acid Absorption After Oral Administration of Garcinia cambogia Extract Formulation: a Phase I, Randomized, Cross-Over Study. Journal of pharmaceutical sciences DOI: 10.1016/j.xphs.2020.10.035Bibliographic record; not a detailed study appraisal.
- Hayamizu K, Ishii Y, Kaneko I, Shen M, Okuhara Y, Shigematsu N, Tomi H, Furuse M, Yoshino G, Shimasaki H. (2003). Effects of garcinia cambogia (Hydroxycitric Acid) on visceral fat accumulation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Current therapeutic research, clinical and experimental DOI: 10.1016/j.curtheres.2003.08.006Bibliographic record; not a detailed study appraisal.
- Kim JE, Jeon SM, Park KH, Lee WS, Jeong TS, McGregor RA, Choi MS. (2011). Does Glycine max leaves or Garcinia Cambogia promote weight-loss or lower plasma cholesterol in overweight individuals: a randomized control trial. Nutrition journal DOI: 10.1186/1475-2891-10-94Bibliographic record; not a detailed study appraisal.
- Arefhosseini S, Tutunchi H, Nomi-Golzar S, Mahboob S, Pouretedal Z, Ebrahimi-Mameghani M. (2022). The effect of hydroxy citric acid supplementation with calorie-restricted diet on metabolic, atherogenic and inflammatory biomarkers in women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial. Food & function DOI: 10.1039/d1fo03685hBibliographic record; not a detailed study appraisal.
- LiverTox. Garcinia Cambogia: clinical liver-injury evidence and case assessment.
First published: 2026-09-27 / Version 1.0. Sources reviewed 2026-09-27. Funding and conflicts are recorded separately; an unverified disclosure is not a declaration of no funding or no conflict.