Gymnemic acid health benefit

Gymnemic acid is a mixture of triterpene glycosides extracted from the leaves of Gymnema Sylvestre. Gymnema sylvestre is regarded as one of the plants with potent anti diabetic properties. This plant is also used for controlling obesity in the form of Gymnema tea and supplements. The active compounds of the plant are a group of acids termed as gymnemic acids. It has been observed that there could be a possible link between obesity, Gymnemic acids and diabetes. Gymnemic acids are the saponins with a triterpenoid structure contained in Gymnema sylvestre leaves and have hypoglycemic effects. Gymnemic acid  is known to inhibit the intestinal absorption of glucose in human and rats.

Biochemical actions of gymmenic acids
Gymnemic acids inhibit rabbit muscle glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) activity.
Insulin-releasing action of gymnemic acid may contribute to the antihyperglycemic effect by the leaves of Gymnema sylvestre.
A high dose of gymnemic acid ingestion increases fecal cholesterol and cholic acid derived bile acid excretion.

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