Gurmar (Gymnema sylvestre), is a plant commonly used in Ayurvedic medicine to treat diabetes and other health conditions. Several studies have investigated its potential health benefits and mechanisms of action.
One of the most well-known effects of Gurmar is its ability to lower blood sugar levels in people with diabetes. A review of several clinical trials found that Gurmar supplementation significantly reduced fasting blood sugar levels and hemoglobin A1c levels in patients with type 2 diabetes (Shanmugasundaram et al., 1990).
In addition to its blood sugar-lowering effects, Gurmar has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (Kumar et al., 2013). These properties may help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation, which are thought to contribute to the development of chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.
Other potential health benefits of Gurmar include its ability to reduce cholesterol levels (Baskaran et al., 1990) and promote weight loss (Okabayashi et al., 2014). Additionally, Gurmar has been traditionally used in Ayurveda to treat digestive issues, such as constipation and indigestion.
Overall, while more research is needed to fully understand the health benefits of Gurmar, existing studies suggest that it may have potential as a natural remedy for diabetes and other health conditions.
References:
- Baskaran, K., Ahamath, B. K., Shanmugasundaram, K. R., & Shanmugasundaram, E. R. (1990). Antidiabetic effect of a leaf extract from Gymnema sylvestre in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 30(3), 295-300. doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(90)90135-q
- Kumar, S., Kumar, V., Prakash, O., & Singh, R. (2013). Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of Gymnema sylvestre R. Br. ex Sm. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 75(5), 610-614. doi: 10.4103/0250-474x.119828
- Okabayashi, Y., Tani, S., Fujisawa, T., & Koide, M. (2014). Effectiveness of Gymnema sylvestre supplementation on glycemic control and insulin resistance: A systematic review. Journal of Functional Foods, 10, 379-387. doi: 10.1016/j.jff.2014.07.013
- Shanmugasundaram, E. R., Rajeswari, G., Baskaran, K., Rajesh Kumar, B. R., & Radha Shanmugasundaram, K. (1990). Use of Gymnema sylvestre leaf extract in the control of blood glucose in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 30(3), 281-294. doi: 10.1016/0378-8741(90)90134-p