The Hydroxy citric acid as the main principle in the rind of Garcinia is well known since years and now proved to be bringing about weight loss and is being used as a food supplement for obesity control. Hydroxycitric acid: HCA is a close relative of citric acid, the component that gives citrus fruits their characteristic tart flavor.

Unlike citric acid that is found throughout the plant kingdom, HCA is limited to only a few plant species. HCA comprises somewhere between 10 to 30% (by weight) of the dried rind of Garcinia fruit, by far the greatest amount known from any single source.