‘Cutting Jelly:’ Is It the New ‘Korean Ozempic’?

The internet exploded after Kylie Jenner uploaded a video of herself eating a bright red candy called ‘cutting jelly.’ She claimed it helped her with digestion and reduced constant snacking. People quickly bought the idea. Soon, social media was full of videos of people trying it.

‘Cutting jelly’ was introduced in South Korea a few years ago as an appetite suppressant. Now, it is spreading worldwide as an Ozempic duplicate.

Although social media gave it this nickname, it raises questions about whether it is actually true. In this article, we will see if ‘cutting jelly’ deserves its nickname or is just another weight-loss scam.

What is ‘cutting jelly’?

It’s a gel-based supplement, usually sold in separate sticks in a box. The cutting part in the name refers to what it is supposed to do — cut the carbs and cravings. Instead of chewing it as a candy, you just swallow it and feel full. At least, that is what a product states.

Most cutting jellies are primarily made from Garcinia cambogia, fiber, fruit concentrates, thickeners, and additives such as chia seeds. The first ingredient is the main one that promises weight-loss miracles.

So what is Garcinia cambogia?

It's basically a fruit from the Clusiaceae plant family and is known by other names, such as brindleberry, Malabar tamarind, or kudam puli. It grows in parts of South Asia and Africa and traditionally has been used in cooking to add flavor, preserve food, and treat digestive problems.

However, it was noted that Garcinia cambogia contains hydroxycitric acid, which is believed to affect fat production. This encouraged scientists to conduct experimental studies to see whether it might help with weight management.

Does it help to lose weight?

The evidence regarding Garcinia cambogia extract remains inconclusive. For instance, a 2010 meta-analysis reviewed 12 clinical trials involving 706 participants and identified methodological limitations. Small sample sizes, short study durations (typically 2–12 weeks), and inconsistent reporting were spotted.

On average, participants lost slightly less than 2 lbs, raising doubts about its significance for weight management.

A following meta-analysis conducted 10 years later criticized the previous review for failing to consider additional weight-loss measures or dosage effects. This analysis examined eight clinical trials with 530 participants and concluded that Garcinia cambogia supplementation for 8–12 weeks may reduce the following:

• Body weight (~2.95 lbs)
• Body mass index (0.203 lbs/ft²)
• Percentage of fat mass (~0.42%)
• Waist circumference (~1.63 in)

While the results show small changes in weight and body composition compared with placebo, the authors highlight significant variability across studies. Therefore, these findings should be viewed with caution.

Side effects

Hydroxycut, a well-known weight-loss brand, changed its formula after 2004, when its supplements were linked to 155 deaths due to heart attacks and strokes. The revised formula included Garcinia cambogia, green tea extract, caffeine, and undisclosed botanicals.

In 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to discontinue use of Hydroxycut products following 23 cases of liver toxicity and one associated death. The company subsequently altered its formula again.

Although it remains unclear whether Garcinia cambogia was responsible for the liver toxicity, several case reports have since documented severe liver injury associated with its use.

For example, one patient required a liver transplant after prolonged consumption of a Garcinia cambogia-containing supplement. The biopsy showed 70% of his liver tissue was dead.

Another case, documented in 2022, involved a woman who experienced severe liver damage after using similar supplements, though she did not require transplantation.

These cases highlight concerns regarding rare but serious liver injury potentially linked to Garcinia cambogia. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood, and research in this area is limited.

How to choose weight loss supplements?

Unlike prescription drugs, weight-loss supplements are not required to obtain FDA approval for safety and effectiveness before public distribution. As a result, companies may market these products without the serious consequences of misleading consumers.

Registered Nurse Anesthetist Brian Clark recommends seeking peer-reviewed studies involving human subjects, rather than relying on laboratory tests. He further suggests checking for United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and National Sanitation Foundation (NSF) stamps on product labels.

USP certification verifies that the product contains the listed ingredients and is manufactured correctly. NSF indicates that the product has been tested and meets public health and safety standards. “These certifications prove that what is on the label is actually in the bottle and have real evidence,” he sums up.

Bottom line

Despite cutting jelly advertising claims of dramatic weight-loss results, consumers should be cautious. Current research does not provide strong evidence that Garcinia cambogia, the primary ingredient, promotes significant weight loss.

Furthermore, this ingredient may be associated with several cases of liver injury. To minimize the risk of misleading claims from non-FDA-approved weight-loss products, consumers are advised to look for NSF and USP certification stamps.