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Hdi1.5

Hoodia Research

Mostly mechanism / observationalLimited safety

3 peer-reviewed studies

What the evidence says

Mostly mechanism / observational

Most Hoodia studies are mechanism or observational rather than RCTs that measure a clinical effect — keep findings provisional.

Most evidence is from medium-quality randomised trials published 2011–2016 with a typical study size of 60 participants.

Based on 3 studies · 2 RCTs · 109 total participants

Confidence

Low

By outcome

Weight managementThe one rigorous human RCT found NO effect on appetite or body weight versus placebo, with more adverse effects — no credible evidence of benefit · No demonstrated effect
Mostly mechanism / observational3 studies

Older research base

Newest study from 2016

20112016

1RCTn=49 · small study2011

The most rigorous human trial found Hoodia extract had no significant effect on energy intake or body weight versus placebo, and was less well tolerated with adverse changes in vital signs and laboratory parameters.

Blom WA et al. · Am J Clin Nutr (2011)

Randomized, placebo-controlled trial: 1110mg purified extract twice daily for 15 days in overweight women (HgPE n=25, placebo n=24)
NO significant difference in ad libitum energy intake or body weight versus placebo
Significant increases in blood pressure, pulse, heart rate, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase in the Hoodia group

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2RCTn=60 · small study2016

A follow-up to the Hoodia trial found that two weeks of a bitter tastant mixture (the kind used to flavour-match Hoodia) did not significantly affect energy intake either.

Peters HPF et al. · Appetite (2016)

Randomized, double-blind trial in 60 overweight women testing sustained bitter-tastant exposure
No significant effect on total energy intake versus non-bitter placebo (mean difference -109 kcal, P=0.13)
Body weight changes were negligible

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3Review2011

A comprehensive review concluded that scientific data on Hoodia's clinical efficacy and especially safety are insufficient or completely absent, despite its heavy commercial use.

Vermaak I, Hamman JH, Viljoen AM · Planta Med (2011)

Traditional San use as a hunger/thirst suppressant; P57 proposed as the active glycoside
Publications on in-vivo biopharmaceutics, clinical efficacy, and especially safety are insufficient or absent
Widespread product adulteration is a major quality-control concern

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View in Research Library

Hoodia Research

Mostly mechanism / observational

Effects of 15-d repeated consumption of Hoodia gordonii purified extract on safety, ad libitum energy intake, and body weight in healthy, overweight women: a randomized controlled trial.

The effect of two weeks ingestion of a bitter tastant mixture on energy intake in overweight females.

Hoodia gordonii: an up-to-date review of a commercially important anti-obesity plant.