Garcinia

    Written by:
    Megan Michaux

    Fact-checked

    by:

    Giulia Guerrini, Conni Covington
    Last Updated: May 1, 2025

    Garcinia cambogia is a fruit that has historically been used as a food-flavoring agent and in traditional medicine in Southeast Asia. More recently, and despite the need for more evidence to support its effectiveness, it has gained popularity as a weight-loss supplement.

    Overview

    Dosage information

    Formulation:

    Garcinia cambogia supplements are usually taken as capsules and are also often part of combination weight-loss supplements.

    The usual dosage is 1,500 milligrams per day (mg/day) of the active ingredient hydroxycitric acid (HCA), but some toxicology studies suggest a no-observed-adverse-effect level of up to 2,800 mg/day.[1]

    Range of dosages studied:

    Studies have used dosages ranging from 300 milligrams to 4,667 milligrams of HCA per day.[2][3] It is worth noting that not all the studies looked at Garcinia cambogia or HCA in isolation, and some used combination supplements.

    Effective dosages:

    People trying to lose weight

    Adults: 500 mg of hydroxycitric acid (HCA) three times per day before meals.

    Special considerations: Garcinia cambogia may have a minimal effect on body weight, and, although this is the most commonly recommended dose for weight loss, it might not be effective.[4][5]

    Other considerations:

    There are no recommended doses as yet for the other potential uses of Garcinia cambogia. This is because there is no evidence to support its efficacy outside of its use as a weight-loss supplement.

    Frequently asked questions

    Update History

    Research Breakdown

    Examine Database References

    1. Food Intake - Kim JE, Jeon SM, Park KH, Lee WS, Jeong TS, McGregor RA, Choi MSDoes Glycine max leaves or Garcinia Cambogia promote weight-loss or lower plasma cholesterol in overweight individuals: a randomized control trialNutr J.(2011 Sep 21)
    2. Weight - Mattes RD, Bormann LEffects of (-)-hydroxycitric acid on appetitive variablesPhysiol Behav.(2000 Oct 1-15)
    3. Weight - Heymsfield SB, Allison DB, Vasselli JR, Pietrobelli A, Greenfield D, Nunez CGarcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trialJAMA.(1998 Nov 11)
    4. Testosterone - Hayamizu K, Tomi H, Kaneko I, Shen M, Soni MG, Yoshino GEffects of Garcinia cambogia extract on serum sex hormones in overweight subjectsFitoterapia.(2008 Jun)