A rosella derived supplement has demonstrated potential in addressing obesity, according to researchers at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology. The findings were published in the International Journal of Food Science and Technology. In the study, scientists processed the plant’s flowers to produce two distinct formulations. One contained phenolic extracts and the other combined organic acids. Lab cultures of fat cells were treated with these formulations to observe their effects on fat storage and metabolism. The results revealed that the acid formulation did not reduce fat content in the cells, while the phenolic-rich mixture achieved a dramatic reduction, showing nearly 95 percent less fat compared with untreated controls.
Researchers explain that the phenolic compounds present in the extracts appear to inhibit the digestive enzyme lipase. This enzyme is responsible for breaking down dietary fats into smaller pieces that the intestines can absorb. When lipase activity is reduced, less fat is absorbed, and excess fat tends to accumulate as adipose tissue. The study suggests that rosella phenolics may prevent fat absorption from the digestive tract, causing fatty acids to pass through the gut unchanged and be expelled as waste instead of contributing to body fat stores.
These results point to a possible future where rosella-based extracts could form the basis of a weight management medicine with an improved safety profile. While the findings are encouraging, the researchers emphasize that additional studies are needed to confirm efficacy and safety in humans, determine optimal dosing, and assess long-term outcomes. Subsequent research will likely explore the effects in diverse populations and examine potential interactions with common medications used for obesity and metabolic health. This line of inquiry continues to interest scientists seeking natural approaches to support weight control with minimal adverse effects.