A herbal supplement that has been found to reduce appetite by a fifth and stop sweet cravings is causing a storm among scientists
With summer around the corner, it stands to reason that women will be looking for ways to lose a few unwanted pounds. And perhaps this herbal supplement is the answer.
Scientists found that the diet pill Zotrim - made of the plant extracts Yerba Mate, Guarana and Damiana - can cut calorie intake by over 17% by reducing appetite.
Researchers at the University of Liverpool enlisted the help of 58 healthy to slightly overweight women to take part in the study. They were given either the pill or a placebo, before being asked to eat as much as they wanted at a buffet lunch.
Those who took Zotrim found that they ate an average of 132 calories less than the women who took the placebo.
It works by delaying the rate at which the stomach empties by about 20 minutes and therefore reducing the feeling of hunger. The process is not dangerous as it simply extends the length of time it takes to digest food.
In addition to this, scientists noticed a reduction by over a quarter in the selection of sweet items chosen at the buffet.
Dr Jason Halford, who led the study at the Kissileff Laboratory for Ingestive Behaviour at the Univesity, said: ‘These findings suggest that the ingredients contained in the Zotrim formulation produce a robust acute effect on caloric intake.
'If sustained, such changes could benefit weight control, as observed in previous studies on the formulation.'
A previous study found that Zotrim can help women lose an average of two inches from their waists in just for weeks.
The pill, which is freely available from supermarkets and chemists, costs £22.99 for a month's supply.
Zotrim inventor Dr Lasse Hessel said the pill 'helps people cheat on their own stomach'.
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