Ingredient profile
Garcinia Cambogia in SodaSlim: 65 mg of HCA, Weak Evidence and a Liver Caution
Each SodaSlim capsule lists 130 mg of garcinia extract at 50% HCA, so about 65 mg of HCA. A 12-week trial gave 1,500 mg of HCA a day and did no better than placebo (NIH ODS: Garcinia cambogia/HCA). Pooled trials found about 0.88 kg of extra loss (Meta-analysis: garcinia/HCA (2011)). NCCIH says garcinia may be unsafe because of rare liver injury reports (NCCIH: garcinia cambogia).
Written by the Sodaslimbalance editorial teamUpdated
The basics
What is garcinia cambogia?
Garcinia cambogia is a small tropical fruit, also called Garcinia gummi-gutta. Supplements use an extract of its rind, which is rich in hydroxycitric acid, or HCA.
HCA is the part people study for weight. SodaSlim lists "Garcinia Extract (Garcinia cambogia)(fruit)(50% HCA)" as the third line on its Supplement Facts panel, at 130 mg.
Because the extract is standardized to 50% HCA, one capsule gives about 65 mg of HCA. That number, not the 130 mg, is the one to compare with research.
| Label name | Garcinia Extract (Garcinia cambogia)(fruit)(50% HCA) |
|---|---|
| What it is | Garcinia gummi-gutta (G. cambogia), fruit rind extract (hca) |
| Position on the label | 3rd line on the label |
| Per 1-capsule serving | 130 mg (about 65 mg HCA) |
| Amount used in research | 3,000 mg a day (1,500 mg HCA) in a 12-week trial |
| Strength of evidence | Small or no effect |
| Main use studied | Tropical fruit rind extract sold for weight |
| Main caution | Linked to rare but severe liver injury (LiverTox likelihood score B). |
Dose check
How much garcinia is in SodaSlim compared with studies?
SodaSlim gives about 65 mg of HCA a day. The 12-week trial NIH describes used 3,000 mg of garcinia a day, or 1,500 mg of HCA (NIH ODS: Garcinia cambogia/HCA).
So one capsule holds about 4% of the HCA in that trial. You would need about 23 capsules to match it, and the label says never to exceed one.
| Measure | SodaSlim, per day | 12-week trial |
|---|---|---|
| Garcinia extract | 130 mg | 3,000 mg |
| HCA | About 65 mg | 1,500 mg |
| People studied | No trial of SodaSlim published | 135 adults |
| Result | Not published | No better than placebo |
| Pooled effect, many trials | Not applicable | About 0.88 kg more than placebo |
The research
Does garcinia cambogia help with weight loss?
The best answer is "barely, if at all." NCCIH says it is unclear whether garcinia products help with weight loss (NCCIH: garcinia cambogia).
In the 12-week trial of 135 adults, 1,500 mg of HCA a day did no better than placebo (NIH ODS: Garcinia cambogia/HCA). That is more than 20 times the HCA in a SodaSlim capsule.
A 2011 review pooled 9 of 12 trials. HCA gave about 0.88 kg, close to 2 pounds, more loss than placebo (Meta-analysis: garcinia/HCA (2011)). The authors wrote that "the magnitude of the effect is small" and that its clinical relevance is unclear.
That figure came from doses far above SodaSlim's. CDC says a steady 1 to 2 pounds a week from habits is the pace that lasts (CDC: losing weight). Diet and activity can matter far more than the pooled garcinia effect.
Safety
Is garcinia cambogia safe for the liver?
Garcinia is linked to rare but severe liver injury. NCCIH says it "may be unsafe" because of numerous reports of liver toxicity (NCCIH: garcinia cambogia).
LiverTox, the NIH liver injury database, gives garcinia a likelihood score of B. That places it among recognized, though rare, causes of liver injury (LiverTox: Garcinia cambogia). LiverTox estimates the frequency at under 1 in 10,000 users, and it lists cases that were severe or fatal.
NIH's Office of Dietary Supplements notes 10 reported cases of liver toxicity, including 1 death and 2 liver transplants (NIH ODS: Garcinia cambogia/HCA).
| NCCIH | "May be unsafe"; numerous liver toxicity reports (NCCIH: garcinia cambogia) |
|---|---|
| LiverTox score | B: likely but rare cause; under 1 in 10,000 users (LiverTox: Garcinia cambogia) |
| NIH ODS | 10 cases, 1 death, 2 transplants (NIH ODS: Garcinia cambogia/HCA) |
| Dose-related? | Not published for a 65 mg HCA dose |
No source in our list sets a safe or unsafe HCA dose. The low amount in SodaSlim does not rule the risk out.
History
What happened with Hydroxycut in 2009?
In May 2009, the FDA told consumers to stop using 14 Hydroxycut products. CNN reported that the FDA had received 23 reports of serious liver injury, including the death of a 19-year-old and one liver transplant (FDA Hydroxycut warning (2009), as reported).
Those older Hydroxycut products contained garcinia along with other ingredients, according to LiverTox (LiverTox: Garcinia cambogia). LiverTox counts at least a dozen liver injury reports tied to multi-ingredient products like these, plus cases from garcinia alone.
- Before 2009
Multi-ingredient weight products with garcinia are widely sold.
- May 1, 2009
The FDA warning on 14 Hydroxycut products is reported by CNN (FDA Hydroxycut warning (2009), as reported).
- 2019
LiverTox updates its garcinia entry with a likelihood score of B (LiverTox: Garcinia cambogia).
- 2025
NCCIH still says garcinia "may be unsafe" (NCCIH: garcinia cambogia).
SodaSlim is not Hydroxycut. The history matters because it is part of why garcinia carries a liver warning today. Our post on garcinia and liver safety has more.
Give SodaSlim 60 days1 capsule a day · from $49 a bottle · free U.S. shipping on 3+ bottles
Order nowKnow the signs
What are the warning signs of liver injury?
Learn the general signs of liver injury before you start any product with garcinia. LiverTox describes symptoms such as these (LiverTox: green tea):
Dark urine, yellow skin or yellow eyes, pain in the belly, or tiredness that is unusual for you. Stop SodaSlim and get medical care the same day. Bring the bottle with you.
- Tell your doctor about every supplement you take, not only medicines.
- Ask before use if you have ever had liver disease.
- Keep the label dose of one capsule a day.
Our SodaSlim side effects guide lists the other cautions, and the medicines page covers questions to ask your pharmacist.
Who should skip it
Who should avoid garcinia cambogia?
The SodaSlim label is clear about some groups. It is "Not for use by individuals under the age of 18 or pregnant or nursing mothers."
NCCIH adds that little is known about garcinia use in pregnancy (NCCIH: garcinia cambogia). Anyone with a liver condition should talk to a doctor before taking it.
The label also asks you to consult a physician before use if you take any medicine or have a medical condition. Bring the bottle so your doctor can read every line.
Our view
Is SodaSlim's garcinia worth paying for?
We do not see a reason to buy SodaSlim for its garcinia. The dose is small, the evidence is weak and the rare liver risk is real.
Fair points
- The amount and the 50% HCA strength are printed.
- No proprietary blend hides the dose.
- About 65 mg of HCA is a small amount.
Weak points
- About 4% of the HCA in the 12-week trial.
- That trial showed no benefit over placebo.
- Pooled effect was small, about 0.88 kg.
- LiverTox score B for rare, severe liver injury.
NIH says lifestyle change is the basis for lasting weight loss (NIH ODS: lifestyle is the basis). Compare every ingredient on the SodaSlim ingredients overview.
FAQ
Garcinia cambogia in SodaSlim FAQ
How much garcinia cambogia is in SodaSlim?
Each capsule lists 130 mg of garcinia extract, standardized to 50% HCA. That gives about 65 mg of hydroxycitric acid per capsule. The label says to take one capsule daily, so 65 mg of HCA is the daily amount.
How much HCA was used in garcinia studies?
The 12-week trial NIH describes gave 3,000 mg of garcinia a day, which is 1,500 mg of HCA (NIH ODS: Garcinia cambogia/HCA). SodaSlim's about 65 mg of HCA is roughly 4% of that. Even at the trial dose, people did no better than placebo.
Does garcinia cambogia really work for weight loss?
The evidence is weak. NCCIH says it is unclear whether it helps (NCCIH: garcinia cambogia). A 2011 review of pooled trials found about 0.88 kg more loss than placebo and called the effect small (Meta-analysis: garcinia/HCA (2011)). No trial of SodaSlim is published.
Can garcinia cambogia damage your liver?
Rarely, yes. LiverTox gives garcinia a likelihood score of B and estimates liver injury in under 1 in 10,000 users (LiverTox: Garcinia cambogia). Some reported cases were severe or fatal. NCCIH says garcinia may be unsafe (NCCIH: garcinia cambogia).
What was the Hydroxycut recall about?
In May 2009, CNN reported that the FDA told consumers to stop using 14 Hydroxycut products after 23 reports of serious liver injury (FDA Hydroxycut warning (2009), as reported). Those older products contained garcinia with other ingredients, per LiverTox (LiverTox: Garcinia cambogia).
What are signs of liver problems from a supplement?
General signs of liver injury include dark urine, yellow skin or eyes, belly pain and unusual tiredness (LiverTox: green tea). If any appear, stop the product and contact a doctor the same day. Take the bottle with you.
Can I take garcinia while pregnant?
The SodaSlim label says it is not for pregnant or nursing mothers. NCCIH also notes that little is known about garcinia use in pregnancy (NCCIH: garcinia cambogia). Talk with your doctor about any supplement during pregnancy.
Who wrote this
Written and reviewed by
A small team that reads the SodaSlim label line by line, checks every number against public health sources (NIH ODS, NCCIH, LiverTox, EFSA, CDC, NIDDK, FDA, FTC) and rewrites it in plain English. We do not write for the manufacturer, and we update a page whenever the label, the prices or the evidence changes.
Last updated . See our editorial standards and how we check reviews. This website is run by a USA authorized retailer, not by the manufacturer. We are paid a commission when you buy through our order links.
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