Evidence-based·Last reviewed May 30, 2026·How we grade evidence

Hoodia

Botanical

Useful mainly for no group; controlled trials show no meaningful benefit.

Quick decision guide

May help most

no group; controlled trials show no meaningful benefit

Common dosing range

No effective dose established (tested at 1,110 mg/day without benefit)

When to expect effects

Not applicable (ineffective)

Watch out for

Caused nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and raised heart rate and blood pressure in trials; products are often adulterated

What is it

Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii) is a succulent cactus-like plant native to southern Africa. It was historically used by the San people of the Kalahari to suppress hunger and thirst on long hunts. It has been heavily marketed as a weight-loss supplement.

Is it worth it for you?

Use this as a quick fit check, not a diagnosis.

Probably skip if…

You want effective appetite suppression or weight loss
You have cardiovascular disease, hypertension, or diabetes
You want a product that reliably contains what the label claims

Evidence at a glance

appetite suppression and weight loss

Mixed Evidence
Effect
None demonstrated
Best fit
none identified
Time
Not applicable

Evidence for 1 use

AI-assisted evidence assessment — talk to your doctor before relying on any single supplement.

appetite suppression and weight loss

Supplement benefit
Mixed Evidence

Although the steroidal glycoside P57 is hypothesized to signal satiety in the hypothalamus, a well-conducted randomized trial of purified Hoodia gordonii extract found no meaningful weight loss and significantly more adverse effects than placebo. Many commercial products also contain little or no actual hoodia, compounding the lack of efficacy.

Effect size
None demonstrated
Time to effect
Not applicable
Best fit
none identified
Less likely
anyone seeking weight loss

Bottom line: Controlled evidence shows no weight-loss benefit and added side effects; not recommended.

Evidence is mixed

Heavy 2000s marketing claimed appetite suppression, but the one good-quality human trial was negative and showed harm.

SourceBlom et al., 2011 — PubMed· conflicting
SourceBlom et al., 2011 — PubMed

How it works

Hoodia contains a steroidal glycoside called P57 that is hypothesized to act on the hypothalamus to suppress appetite, potentially by mimicking glucose-sensing signals to satiety neurons. Despite massive marketing claims in the 2000s, controlled human trials have generally been disappointing. A 2011 randomized trial found that purified Hoodia gordonii extract did not produce meaningful weight loss but did cause significant adverse effects compared to placebo. Many products marketed as 'hoodia' have been shown by analytical testing to contain little or no actual hoodia.

How to take it

1. Typical dose
No effective dose established; not recommended
2. Timing
Not recommended
3. With food
Not recommended
4. How long to try
Not recommended; consider safer weight-management approaches

What to track

heart rate and blood pressure if used despite the evidence
nausea or vomiting
product authenticity / third-party testing

1 commercial form

Compare the main delivery options and what they’re best suited for.

Hoodia capsule / powder

Many commercial products contain little or no actual hoodia.

P57 stability and authenticity vary widely between products.

Safety

Know the common side effects, key cautions, and who should avoid it.

Common side effects

nauseavomitingdizziness

Serious risks

Who should avoid it

Pregnancy & breastfeeding

Avoid in pregnancy and breastfeeding.

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Hoodia — MSKCC About Herbs

Interactions

blood pressure and heart medicationsModerate

hoodia raised heart rate and blood pressure in trials

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Hoodia — MSKCC About Herbs
diabetes medicationsMinor

theoretical interaction

SourceMemorial Sloan Kettering — Hoodia — MSKCC About Herbs

Choosing a product

What to look for on the label — and what to be skeptical of.

Look for…

third-party authentication that the product actually contains Hoodia gordonii (frequently absent)

Be skeptical of…

clinically proven appetite suppressant
effortless weight loss
used by the San so it must work

Frequently asked questions

Does hoodia really suppress appetite?⌄

The best clinical evidence shows no meaningful effect on hunger or weight loss compared with placebo, and it produced more side effects. Earlier excitement was based on traditional use and animal studies that did not translate.

Is the hoodia I buy actually hoodia?⌄

Multiple analytical studies have found that a large fraction of commercial 'hoodia' products contain little or no actual Hoodia gordonii. Even if it did, the evidence does not support a weight-loss benefit.

References by claim

appetite suppression and weight loss

Blom et al., 2011 — PubMed (2011) link

Safety

Memorial Sloan Kettering — Hoodia — MSKCC About Herbs link

Track Hoodia with Pilora

Set up dose reminders, check interactions, and join the community in the Pilora iPhone app.

Coming to App Store
Evidence-based·Last reviewed May 30, 2026·Evidence current as of May 30, 2026·How we grade evidence

Disclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This page is educational, not a substitute for personalized medical advice. Evidence grades are AI-assisted assessments — talk to your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, on medications, or managing a chronic condition.