Does Gymnema sylvestre help with weight loss?

GS has been supplemented in the form of mints to reduce sugar cravings. It is thought that GS binds to taste receptors that are responsible for sweet tastes, making sweet foods less enjoyable. In theory, this could help people to eat less high-calorie foods, which can help with weight loss.^[1][2][3] GS also blocks certain glucose receptors in the intestines, which lowers the absorption of sugars into the blood. This could lower calorie absorption over time.^[4] While animal research does suggest that GS may help with reducing body weight and improving body mass index (BMI) through these mechanisms, more clinical trials need to be done to support these claims.^[5]