It is by following the theory of signatures* that the Ayurvedic pharmacopoeia has successfully tested the effects of gymnema as a hypoglycemic. The conclusion was almost self-evident: if this plant could inhibit the taste of sugar in the mouth, it could have the same effect on the body. This is how gymnema became in India a solution to fight against mild diabetes. Its Hindi name is "gurmar", which means "destroyer of sweetness".
Known and used for thousands of years, the gymnema sylvestris has recently conquered Europe to naturally lower blood sugar levels. In the light of scientific research, the somewhat magical leaf of gymnema has revealed some of its secrets. First of all, many chemical substances have been isolated from it, six of which, the most active, are gymnemic acids. Triterpenic glucosides and saponins would be at the origin of the impact of the plant on the glucose level.
The most mysterious molecule is undoubtedly the polypeptide, more nicely named "gurmarin". It is the one that would suppress the sweet taste. Although the identification of the active substances allows us to know the plant better, it is the whole plant that acts on the sugar metabolism.
This capacity to modify the taste of sugar naturally raises gymnema to the status of aslimming ally. Thanks to it, the sweet snacking loses all its flavor and becomes useless. Consumed before meals, this Indian plant allows you to better control the content of your plate, which is particularly useful during a diet!
Last but not least, gymnema does not have an anaesthetic type of action, i.e. it does not affect the acid, bitter or salty tastes of food: enough to keep your appetite open.
Laurence GAUTHÉ
*The theory of signatures suggests that nature gives clues to the therapeutic value of plants, whether it is through a shape, such as the nut that looks like a brain and whose oil is excellent for the brain, or the taste, such as the leaf of gymnema sylvestris and its impact on the sugar in the blood.
