Hoodia
Hoodia gordonii
also known as hoodia cactus
Weak — and supply chain is unreliable
A cactus-like succulent from the Kalahari Desert, traditionally chewed by the San people during long hunts to suppress hunger. Marketed heavily as a weight-loss aid in the 2000s, hoodia has run into two problems: clinical trials have been disappointing, and most products on the market do not actually contain real hoodia.
- Traditional use by the San people to suppress hunger and thirst on long desert journeys
- May contain compounds (P57) that affect appetite signaling
- Real-world evidence in modern clinical trials has been limited and underwhelming
Most hoodia supplements on the market have been shown to contain little or no actual hoodia — supply chain authenticity is a serious problem
Genuine hoodia is CITES-protected and slow-growing — wild harvest threatens the species
One small clinical trial showed gastrointestinal side effects, blood pressure changes, and elevated bilirubin
Skip with high blood pressure or heart conditions
Skip with diabetes — hoodia may affect blood sugar regulation
Skip during pregnancy and nursing
Stop two weeks before surgery
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