Is Gurmar tea (also known as Gymnema) effective in treating diabetes, as various Thai social media platforms claim? No, that's not true: The Thailand Food and Drug Administration has cautioned against the consumption of Gurmar tea for controlling blood sugar levels.
A video (archived here) on TikTok on February 5, 2024, claimed that a product named Maneecha Gurmar Tea possesses medicinal properties capable of curing diabetes. The video begins with a woman saying (translated from Thai to English by Lead Stories staff):
[If you're experiencing] symptoms like numb hands, numb feet, frequent urination, blurred vision, and slow healing of wounds, you may be suffering from diabetes. In such cases, it's important to consult your doctor regularly, possibly every month, or adhere to a regular medication schedule.
Wouldn't it be beneficial to have an option that could improve your health? Our Maneecha brand's Gurmar tea offers a potential solution. The key properties of Gurmar aid in eliminating sugar from the foods or snacks you consume, making it an excellent choice for you.
The video includes screenshots with the following information (as translated): "Do you exhibit these symptoms? 7 warning signs of diabetes: excessive hunger, increased food intake, slow wound healing, thirst, dry throat, frequent urination, itchy skin, weight loss, blurred vision, numbness in hands and feet." It also features an image detailing how to prepare tea on the same page.
This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Fri Feb 9 06:00:18 2024 UTC)
Numerous TikTok videos promote similar products, as seen in examples here and also here (archived here and here). They claim that Gurmar leaves, also known as Chiang Da in Thai, not only help reduce blood sugar levels but also possess other therapeutic properties, such as alleviating symptoms associated with high blood pressure and hyperlipidemia.
The Thailand Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning (archived here) advising against the consumption of Gurmar beverages and supplements under the brand Cheva. This cautionary measure underscores concerns regarding the efficacy and safety of Gurmar products in this regard.
On April 30, 2023, the Anti-Fake News Center of Thailand cautioned on its website (archived here), saying (as translated):
After undergoing fact-checking by both the Food and Drug Administration and the Ministry of Public Health, it has been determined that the advertisements promoting Gurmar drink products under the Maneecha brand, which claim to lower sugar levels, balance blood pressure, and treat hyperlipidemia, are spreading false information.
The product in question has been granted permission to be sold as a beverage in a sealed container, with FDA registration number 50-2-21561-2-0001. However, during the application process for this permission, no information regarding its claimed effectiveness was submitted for consideration.
The website concluded that this food product does not possess efficacy in treating, mitigating or curing symptoms and diseases. All medical properties stated in its advertisements are misleading claims.
Such deception is unacceptable. The FDA Thai will pursue legal action against individuals or entities found to be in violation of the Food Act B.E. 2522 (1979)
On February 8, 2024, the FDA Thailand's inquiry center told Lead Stories that while numerous studies confirm Gurmar's effectiveness in lowering blood sugar levels, insufficient evidence exists regarding the appropriate dosage. They cautioned against excessive consumption of these products, whether in beverage or tea form, particularly for individuals displaying signs of diabetes, as it could lead to dangerously low blood sugar levels.
WebMD (archived here) stated that combining Gurmar (or Gymnema) supplements with diabetes medication and insulin could potentially reduce blood sugar levels in individuals with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. However, further research is necessary to confirm these findings. Furthermore, the website cautions against attempting to self-treat diabetes with supplements, emphasizing the seriousness of the condition.
