Team Foreverfit checks out whether 3 popular weight loss supplements actually lead to weight loss or not.
Weight loss supplements have plenty of takers, because dieters can’t stop dreaming about a miracle weight loss pill or potion. Here are three popular supplements that dieters are hopeful about:
#1 Apple Cider Vinegar
What we do know about apple cider vinegar, is that taking it before meals reduces the rate of gastric emptying. So food remains longer in the stomach, and moves from the stomach to the intestines more slowly. Consequently, this leads to a feeling of fullness. Also, drinking small amounts of ACV for a few weeks is found to lower total cholesterol and LDL.
But so far, there has been no direct link between drinking ACV and weight loss. In fact, some adverse effects of this liquid have been reported. For instance, long term use leads to low potassium levels and reduced bone mineral density.
So if you start drinking ACV, have small quantities (1-3 teaspoons a day) and don’t take it for more than a few weeks at a stretch. Also, drink plenty of water throughout the day.
#2 Green Coffee Extract
The caffeine in fresh coffee has plenty of benefits that coffee lovers can vouch for. Apart from providing a mental boost, this also mobilizes the fat calls in the body and increases the metabolism. That’s why so many so called fat burning supplements contain caffeine.
The extract from coffee beans is known as Green Coffee Extract. This has a greater antioxidant activity than the extract from roasted coffee, leading to a drop in your blood pressure. But studies on the efficacy of this extract on weight loss, are inconclusive.
So far, all we know is that Green Coffee Extract can alter the absorption and metabolism of glucose in the body, which may trigger weight loss. But long term use isn’t advocated, since side-effects haven’t been studied enough. If you must experiment with this supplement, do it for a short period. And do stay alert for any unusual signs and symptoms.
#3 Garcinia
Garcinia cambogia (now Garcinia gumi-gutta) is a tropical fruit found in Indonesia. Hydroxycitric acid is said to be the active ingredient, which supposedly inhibits the function of an enzyme involved in fat production. However, clinical trials to determine the effects of Garcinia on body weight have been inconclusive.
In the majority, consuming Garcinia didn’t lead to weight loss. But it did lead to a drop in abdominal or belly fat. Also, the supplement had a cholesterol-lowering effect. Overall, we can conclude that this fruit may be useful for some people.