France’s food safety authority, ANSES, has issued a stern warning against the use of weight loss supplements containing Garcinia cambogia, a tropical plant, after a series of serious side effects, including one fatality, were reported.
Garcinia cambogia, also known as Garcinia gummi-gutta or Malabar tamarind, is native to India and Southeast Asia and is often marketed for its purported appetite-suppressing and weight-loss benefits. Despite widespread claims, there is little scientific backing for these promises.
The warning follows an investigation into the death of a French woman in 2019, which was strongly linked to the use of a Garcinia-based supplement. In addition, a number of adverse health reactions have been recorded globally, including liver, pancreas, heart, and muscle issues, as well as mental health disturbances. ANSES pointed out that these side effects were notably more frequent among individuals with pre-existing conditions such as psychiatric disorders, pancreatitis, hepatitis, diabetes, obesity, or high blood pressure. People taking medications, such as antidepressants or antiretrovirals, were also found to be at higher risk.
While the use of Garcinia in medicines has been banned in France since 2012, the plant remains a key ingredient in more than 340 dietary supplements available online. According to ANSES, between 2009 and March 2024, 38 reports of severe health issues linked to these supplements were recorded in France.
Among the most alarming cases is that of a 71-year-old woman who, after taking the Garcinia-based product Slim Metabol, died of acute hepatitis. ANSES considers it “very likely” that the supplement contributed to her death, despite the product still being sold. The agency stresses that even individuals without prior health issues are vulnerable. One case involved a 32-year-old woman who developed myocarditis, ultimately requiring a heart transplant.
Aymeric Dopter, head of ANSES’s nutrition risk assessment unit, emphasized the potential dangers, saying, “Some people might say, ‘I took it and I am fine,’ but these cases show how easily a simple weight loss attempt can turn into a life-threatening situation.”
The European Food Safety Agency is currently evaluating the safety of Garcinia cambogia and hydroxycitric acid, a compound extracted from the plant’s fruit. In light of the findings, ANSES has called for a unified list of approved plants for use in dietary supplements across the European Union.
The agency’s message is clear: the risks associated with Garcinia cambogia far outweigh any potential benefits, and consumers should exercise caution when considering supplements containing this plant.
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