Asam Gelugur1
Garcinia cambogia or Asam Gelugur is a tropical fruit native to the Malay Peninsula and is widely found in Indonesia, from Aceh to South Sumatra.2 In addition to being used as a cooking ingredient, the peel of the Asam Gelugur fruit offers health benefits, such as aiding in weight loss due to its hydroxycitric acid (HCA) content, which can suppress appetite and inhibit fat formation.3 Traditionally, a decoction of the fruit peel is administered as a laxative and to treat bile-related digestive conditions, dysentery, and rheumatism.6
Morphology of Asam Gelugur
The Asam Gelugur tree grows to a height of about 4–20 meters. Its leaves are dark green, glossy, and oblong to elliptical in shape. The flowers are small and typically grow in the leaf axils. The fruit is round to slightly oblong, resembling a small gourd or orange, with a diameter of about 2–5 cm. The surface of the fruit has 6–8 grooves. When young, it is green, then turns yellow, red, or orange when ripe. Inside the fruit are 6–8 seeds covered by soft, juicy aril.6
Asam Gelugur Active Compounds
The peel of the Asam Gelugur fruit contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which helps reduce appetite and reduce body fat.3
Health Benefits of Asam Gelugur
HCA works by helping regulate the hormone serotonin, which controls hunger and increases fat burning. Furthermore, HCA also helps reduce the formation of new fat from sugar or carbohydrates in the body.3
Literature Study
Gelugur Acid has undergone several clinical trials on humans, one of which is:
- Subjects: 44 respondents aged 20-65 years with a high visceral fat area (belly fat) > 90 m2
- Research dose: 1.6 grams/day of extract Garcinia cambogia equivalent to 1,000 mg HCA/day
- Duration: 12 weeks
- Results: The test group with Gelugur Acid extract experienced a decrease in fat.visceraland significant total fat, did not cause any effect rebound, and did not show any critical side effects.4
Safety
From the results of literature studies, Gelugur Acid extract has been proven to be effective and safe in humans without causing significant side effects.3 Based on research on obese subjects, the NOAEL value (the highest dose that does not cause side effects) reached 2,800 mg/day.5
Keywords: Garcinia cambogia; Gelugur Acid; Hydroxycitric Acid; HCA; Reduces Body Fat; Laxatives; Gallbladder Health
Footer References
- References
- Gamber:shutterstock.com
- Ginting SL, Bayu ES, Putri LAP. Morphological Diversity of Gelugur Tamarind Fruit (Garcinia atroviridisGriff. Ex T. Anders) in Asahan Regency, Batu Bara Regency and Serdang Berdagai Regency in North Sumatra.Journal of Agrotechnology.2018; 6(4): 809-817.
- Noreen S. Naizi MK. Tufail T. Hassan F. Awuchi CG. Nutraceutical, functional, and therapeutic properties of Garcinia cambogia: a review. International Journal of Food Properties. 2023; 26 (1): 729-738.
- Hayamizu K, Ishii Y, Kaneko I, et al. Effects ofgarcinia cambogia (Hydroxycitric Acid) on visceral fat accumulation: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Curr Ther Res Clin Exp. 2003;64(8):551-567. doi:10.1016/j.curtheres.2003.08.006
- Chuah LO. Yeap SK. Ho WY. Beh KB. Alitheen NB. In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicity of Garcinia or Hydroxycitric Acid: A Review. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2012; (197920): 1-12. doi:10.1155/2012/197920.
