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The effect of a 14-day Gymnema sylvestre intervention to reduce sugar intake in people self-identifying with a sweet tooth.

  • 2025-03
  • Appetite 207
    • Hsiao Wh
    • Kruger R
    • Diako C
    • Nelson I
    • Stice E
    • Ali A

Study Design

Type
Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT)
Population
32 healthy participants that identify as high sweet food consumers (having a 'sweet tooth')
Methods
Randomised crossover study; participants were told three different mints were trialled to avoid bias; on day zero, baseline sensory testing using placebo mint (PLAC); randomised into two intervention groups; on day 15 and 30, further sensory testing using GS mints, before embarking on each 14-day intervention using GS mints, using either a systematic (at 3 specified times/day; SYS) or ad libitum (up to 6 mints/day at times of their choosing; AD-LIB) regimen; on day 30, swapped over to the other intervention; final data collection on day 45.
Blinding
Single-blind
Duration
45 days
Gymnema sylvestre (GS) contains gymnemic acids which can reversibly suppress sweet taste responses. This randomised crossover study aimed to investigate whether supplemental GS use can reduce sugar cravings, sweet food desire and consumption among adults that identify as high sweet food consumers (having a 'sweet tooth'). Participants were told three different mints were trialled to avoid bias. On day zero, 32 healthy participants underwent baseline sensory testing for sweet taste perception using the placebo mint (PLAC). Participants were then randomised into the two intervention groups. On day 15 and 30, participants underwent further sensory testing using the GS mints, before embarking on each 14-day intervention using the GS mints, using either a systematic (at 3 specified times/day; SYS) or ad libitum (up to 6 mints/day at times of their choosing; AD-LIB) regimen, as assigned. On day 30, participants swapped over to the other intervention (using the other regimen), completing final data collection in day 45. At all visits participants completed questionnaires (food frequency questionnaire, beverage questionnaire and cravings questionnaire), anthropometric measures, and sensory testing. Sensory testing was not required for day 45. The AD-LIB condition reduced daily sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) intake by 42% relative to PLAC (p = 0.015) and reduced overall sugar cravings by 28% relative to PLAC (p = 0.045). Both AD-LIB and SYS reduced pleasantness ratings (p < 0.005) and desire (p = 0.005) for more chocolate. Using GS with an ad libitum regimen reduced sugar cravings and changed sweet food desire and consumption in people identifying as having a sweet tooth.

Research Insights

  • Gymnema→Reduced Chocolate Craving

    Both AD-LIB and SYS reduced ... desire (p = 0.005) for more chocolate

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    up to 6 mints/day (ad libitum) or 3 specified times/day (systematic)
  • Gymnema→Reduced Chocolate Pleasantness Rating

    Both AD-LIB and SYS reduced pleasantness ratings (p < 0.005)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Small
    Dose
    up to 6 mints/day (ad libitum) or 3 specified times/day (systematic)
  • Gymnema→Reduced Sugar Craving

    reduced overall sugar cravings by 28% relative to PLAC (p = 0.045)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    up to 6 mints/day (ad libitum) or 3 specified times/day (systematic)
  • Gymnema→Reduced Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake

    The AD-LIB condition reduced daily sugar-sweetened beverages (SSB) intake by 42% relative to PLAC (p = 0.015)

    Effect
    Beneficial
    Effect size
    Moderate
    Dose
    up to 6 mints/day (ad libitum) or 3 specified times/day (systematic)
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