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Most herbal and dietary supplements don’t lead to weight loss, a review of existing studies has found.
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Researchers looked into data for green tea extract, guar gum, and acupuncture, among many others.
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Only 16 studies showed a difference in weight between participants taking supplements and a placebo.
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Researchers found that the weight loss was less than 1 pound for some people, and not consistent for any of the supplements examined.
Weight loss supplements come in a variety of forms, including pills, gummies, powders, and liquids, like teas.
They often tout fast and easy weight loss with a promise that you can lose inches without having to rely solely on eating a balanced diet or exercising regularly.
And they’re extremely popular. The weight loss supplement industry was worth $6.5 billion in 2020.
But do these supplements actually work?
A new comprehensive study published in the journal ObesityTrusted Source on June 23 has found that dietary supplements do not result in dramatic weight loss as they claim.
In fact, it’s rare that people who take these supplements lose any weight, the research showed.
There’s been an ongoing debate about whether weight loss supplements work and whether they deliver on their promises.
In this study, researchers reviewed 315 existing clinical trials of weight loss supplements and alternative therapies as part of the study. They found most studies were biased.
Only 16 studies managed to demonstrate weight loss in participants, ranging from less than 1 pound up to 11 pounds. Weight loss was also not consistent among the study participants.
