Gymnema
Gymnema sylvestre is a climbing plant from India and Africa whose leaves are used in Ayurvedic medicine. It is mostly studied for blood sugar.
Also listed as Gymnema Extract, Gymnema Powder, Gymnema Powder Extract, Gymnema Sylvestre
What it is studied for
The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.
A leaf extract with a distinctive taste effect
Gymnema sylvestre is a climbing plant used in traditional medicine. Its leaves contain gymnemic acids, which can suppress the perception of sweetness. Researchers also investigate effects on insulin secretion and glucose absorption. 1
Key studies
The most recent publications linked to Gymnema's ratings.
Why people take it
SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.
Questions people ask
Does blocking sweet taste prove diabetes control?
No. The mint study measured immediate chocolate consumption, not long-term glucose control. 2
Are the blood-glucose findings worth further research?
Yes. The pooled signal warrants better trials because study quality and consistency limit confidence. 3
Can gymnema add to the effect of diabetes drugs?
Some extracts may strengthen glucose lowering; the European risk assessment specifically flags this combination. 4
Did two weeks of use clearly change everyday sweet-food intake?
The 14-day trial found no between-group differences across the nine food categories assessed. 5
Sources
- Gymnema NIH LiverTox, 2024
- Risk assessment of substances used in food supplements: the example of the botanical Gymnema sylvestre BfR / EU-FORA; EFSA Journal, 2018