Amla: Research
Overview
This page provides a curated overview of selected peer-reviewed scientific studies examining amla, also known as Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica L.; syn. Emblica officinalis Gaertn.). The goal of this page is to provide transparent access to commonly cited research in the scientific literature. The summaries below describe findings reported in published studies. They are presented for educational purposes as part of a clinician-led review of the scientific literature.
Important Context for Readers
Scientific studies examine outcomes in defined populations under specific research conditions. Results reported in individual studies may not apply to all individuals and should not be interpreted as guaranteed outcomes. This page summarizes selected research examining lipid and glucose biomarkers, endothelial function, inflammatory markers, blood pressure, platelet responsiveness, digestive symptoms, and hair-growth measures. It is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. This page is provided for educational purposes and does not include product recommendations or affiliate links.
Summary of Evidence
Across randomized trials and meta-analyses, amla supplementation has been associated with changes in several cardiometabolic biomarkers, particularly LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.
The most developed evidence involves lipid outcomes. Recent meta-analyses generally report favorable average changes in LDL cholesterol, although estimates vary considerably across studies. Results for triglycerides and HDL cholesterol are less consistent.
Several small trials have also reported changes in surrogate measures of endothelial function, oxidative stress, inflammation, and platelet aggregation. These studies do not establish that amla reduces cardiovascular events.
Evidence for blood-pressure support is conflicting. A smaller trial reported favorable effects, while a larger randomized trial found no additional benefit when amla was added to usual antihypertensive therapy.
The three recent meta-analyses below include overlapping underlying trials and should not be interpreted as three completely independent confirmations of efficacy. Important limitations across the literature include small sample sizes, short treatment periods, heterogeneous formulations, variable baseline risk, reliance on laboratory biomarkers, and an absence of long-term clinical-outcome trials.
Key Areas of Research
Metabolic and Lipid Support
Evidence strength: Low to Moderate.
Randomized trials and meta-analyses have examined the relationship between amla supplementation and biomarkers related to lipid and glucose metabolism, including LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, fasting glucose, and HbA1c.
1) Brown PDS, Ketter N, Vis-Dunbar M, et al. Clinical effects of Emblica officinalis fruit consumption on cardiovascular disease risk factors: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2023.
PMID: 37296402
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-023-03997-8
Population: Adults across nine randomized controlled trials involving 535 participants with varying baseline cardiometabolic characteristics.
Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis of parallel-group and crossover randomized controlled trials. Studied intakes ranged from 500–1,500 mg daily, and intervention periods ranged from 14–84 days.
Key findings:
• LDL cholesterol decreased by an average of approximately 15.1 mg/dL compared with control across pooled studies
• Triglycerides decreased by an average of approximately 22.4 mg/dL
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein decreased by an average of approximately 1.7 mg/L
• No statistically significant pooled effect was identified for HDL cholesterol, systolic blood pressure, or diastolic blood pressure
• Substantial heterogeneity was present for several outcomes, and prediction intervals for LDL cholesterol and triglycerides crossed the threshold of no effect
• The authors concluded that the findings were promising but should be interpreted cautiously because of limited trial numbers, differing formulations, and clinical and statistical heterogeneity.
2) Setayesh L, Haghighat N, Rasaei N, et al. The impact of Emblica Officinalis (Amla) on lipid profile, glucose, and C-reactive protein: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Diabetes Metab Syndr. 2023.
PMID: 36934568
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2023.102729
Population: Adults across five randomized controlled trials. Participants were generally 40–58 years of age, with an average body mass index of approximately 25.5 kg/m².
Design: Systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials lasting approximately 3–12 weeks.
Key findings:
• Pooled analyses reported reductions in LDL cholesterol, total cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting blood glucose, and C-reactive protein
• An increase in HDL cholesterol was reported across the pooled analysis
• Results varied according to participants’ baseline biochemical measurements
• Only five trials were available, and intervention periods were short
• The authors emphasized the need for additional research to confirm the magnitude and consistency of the reported effects.
3) Acampado LRT, Chiu HHC, Larrazabal RB Jr, et al. The Efficacy and Safety of Emblica officinalis Aqueous Fruit Extract among Adult Patients with Dyslipidemia: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. Acta Med Philipp. 2023.
PMID: 39678212
DOI: https://doi.org/10.47895/amp.vi0.5047
Population: Adults with dyslipidemia across four randomized controlled trials involving 227 participants.
Design: Systematic review and random-effects meta-analysis of aqueous amla fruit extract compared with placebo. Outcomes were evaluated after approximately 12 weeks.
Key findings:
• Total cholesterol was approximately 21.2 mg/dL lower in the amla groups than in the control groups
• LDL cholesterol was approximately 25.1 mg/dL lower
• HDL cholesterol was approximately 4.7 mg/dL higher
• The pooled triglyceride difference was not statistically significant
• Statistical heterogeneity was high for all major lipid outcomes
• Reported adverse events were uncommon and mild, with dyspepsia being the most frequently reported event among amla recipients
• The authors rated the lipid evidence as low certainty and did not consider amla an established alternative to standard lipid-lowering therapy.
4) Upadya H, Prabhu S, Prasad A, et al. A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled, multicenter clinical trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Emblica officinalis extract in patients with dyslipidemia. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019.
PMID: 30670010
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-019-2430-y
Population: Adults with dyslipidemia enrolled across multiple clinical centers (n=98).
Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating 500 mg of a standardized amla extract twice daily for 12 weeks.
Key findings:
• Total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL cholesterol, and VLDL cholesterol were significantly lower in the amla group than in the placebo group at 12 weeks
• The atherogenic index of plasma decreased by approximately 39% relative to placebo
• The ApoB-to-ApoA1 ratio showed a favorable numerical change, but the between-group difference did not reach statistical significance
• Coenzyme Q10 concentrations did not change significantly
• Fasting-glucose findings were exploratory because relatively few participants had elevated baseline glucose
• The extract contained at least 35% polyphenols, 8% triterpenoids, and 10% oil, making the findings specific to that formulation rather than necessarily applicable to all amla products.
5) Akhtar MS, Ramzan A, Ali A, et al. Effect of Amla fruit (Emblica officinalis Gaertn.) on blood glucose and lipid profile of normal subjects and type 2 diabetic patients. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2011.
PMID: 21495900
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3109/09637486.2011.560565
Population: Adults with and without type 2 diabetes who received amla fruit powder at daily amounts of 1, 2, or 3 g.
Design: Short, 21-day, dose-ranging human intervention study evaluating fasting glucose, post-meal glucose, and lipid biomarkers.
Key findings:
• Fasting and 2-hour post-meal glucose levels decreased from baseline in participants receiving 1–3 g daily
• Total cholesterol and triglycerides decreased in participants receiving 2 or 3 g daily
• HDL cholesterol increased and LDL cholesterol decreased in the 2- and 3-g groups
• The study evaluated whole-fruit powder rather than a modern standardized extract
• The short duration, small treatment groups, and reliance primarily on within-group baseline comparisons substantially limit confidence in the reported magnitude of benefit.
Vascular and Inflammatory Support
Evidence strength: Low to Moderate.
Human studies have examined surrogate measures related to endothelial responsiveness, nitric-oxide availability, oxidative stress, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, platelet aggregation, and blood pressure. These outcomes may provide information about physiological effects but do not demonstrate prevention of heart attack, stroke, or other cardiovascular events.
6) Usharani P, Fatima N, Muralidhar N. Effects of Phyllanthus emblica extract on endothelial dysfunction and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double-blind, controlled study. Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2013.
PMID: 23935377
DOI: https://doi.org/10.2147/DMSO.S46341
Population: Adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (n=80 completed).
Design: Randomized, double-blind, controlled study comparing standardized aqueous amla extract at 250 or 500 mg twice daily, atorvastatin 10 mg daily, and placebo for 12 weeks.
Key findings:
• Both amla doses were associated with improvement in reflection index, a surrogate measure of endothelial function
• Changes were reported in nitric oxide, glutathione, malondialdehyde, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein
• Lipid and HbA1c improvements were reported relative to baseline and placebo
• The interventions were generally well tolerated, with no clinically important changes in laboratory safety measurements
• Outcomes were limited to biomarkers and surrogate vascular measurements rather than clinical cardiovascular events
• Findings apply specifically to the standardized hydrolyzable-tannin extract used in the trial.
7) Usharani P, Merugu PL, Nutalapati C. Evaluation of the effects of a standardized aqueous extract of Phyllanthus emblica fruits on endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, systemic inflammation and lipid profile in subjects with metabolic syndrome: a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled clinical study. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2019.
PMID: 31060549
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-019-2509-5
Population: Adults with metabolic syndrome (n=59 completed).
Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating standardized aqueous amla extract at 250 or 500 mg twice daily for 12 weeks.
Key findings:
• Both studied doses improved reflection index compared with baseline and placebo
• Changes were reported in nitric oxide, glutathione, malondialdehyde, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, and lipid biomarkers
• Effects were generally greater with 500 mg twice daily than with 250 mg twice daily
• No participant discontinued because of an adverse event
• The trial was small, relied on surrogate outcomes, and used study medication and biomarker kits supplied by the extract manufacturer.
8) Khanna S, Das A, Spieldenner J, et al. Supplementation of a standardized extract from Phyllanthus emblica improves cardiovascular risk factors and platelet aggregation in overweight/class-1 obese adults. J Med Food. 2015.
PMID: 25756303
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1089/jmf.2014.0178
Population: Overweight or class 1 obese adults with a body mass index of 25–35 kg/m².
Design: Small, uncontrolled clinical study evaluating Capros® 500 mg twice daily for 12 weeks, followed by a 2-week washout period. Analytical sample sizes varied by outcome and ranged from approximately 9–15 participants.
Key findings:
• Calculated LDL cholesterol and the total-cholesterol-to-HDL ratio decreased relative to baseline
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein decreased after 12 weeks
• ADP-induced and collagen-induced platelet aggregation decreased relative to baseline
• The study provides formulation-specific evidence for Capros®
• The absence of a placebo group and the very small sample make the platelet and inflammatory findings preliminary and hypothesis-generating.
9) Ghaffari S, Navabzadeh M, Ziaee M, et al. A Randomized, Triple-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Add-On Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Efficacy of Emblica officinalis in Uncontrolled Hypertension. Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2020.
PMID: 33082832
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8592869
Population: Adults with blood pressure that remained above study targets despite the use of antihypertensive medication (n=92 randomized; n=81 completed).
Design: Randomized, triple-blind, placebo-controlled add-on trial evaluating amla 500 mg three times daily after meals for 8 weeks.
Key findings:
• Greater reductions in systolic and diastolic blood pressure were reported in the amla group than in the placebo group
• Amla was evaluated as an addition to participants’ existing antihypertensive medications rather than as a stand-alone intervention
• No important treatment-related adverse effects were reported
• The study was relatively small, lasted only 8 weeks, and used a higher total daily amount than most standardized-extract trials.
10) Shanmugarajan D, Girish C, Harivenkatesh N, et al. Antihypertensive and pleiotropic effects of Phyllanthus emblica extract as an add-on therapy in patients with essential hypertension-A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial. Phytother Res. 2021.
PMID: 33570228
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7043
Population: Adults receiving routine medical therapy for essential hypertension (n=150).
Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating amla extract 500 mg twice daily as an addition to usual medications for 12 weeks.
Key findings:
• Amla did not produce an additional reduction in systolic or diastolic blood pressure compared with placebo
• No significant additional improvements were identified in lipid profile, HbA1c, arterial-stiffness measures, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, oxidative status, or
antioxidant capacity
• The extract was generally well tolerated
• This larger negative trial contrasts with the smaller positive hypertension study and is an important reason blood-pressure evidence should be considered conflicting and insufficient.
Other Support
Evidence strength: Low.
A small number of randomized studies have examined amla preparations for digestive symptoms and hair-growth outcomes. These findings remain preliminary, formulation-specific, and insufficient to support broad conclusions.
11) Varnosfaderani SK, Hashem-Dabaghian F, Amin G, et al. Efficacy and safety of Amla (Phyllanthus emblica L.) in non-erosive reflux disease: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial. J Integr Med. 2018.
PMID: 29526236
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joim.2018.02.008
Population: Adults with recurrent heartburn, regurgitation, or epigastric symptoms consistent with non-erosive reflux disease (n=68).
Design: Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial evaluating two 500 mg amla tablets twice daily after meals for 4 weeks.
Key findings:
• The frequency and severity of heartburn and regurgitation decreased more in the amla group than in the placebo group
• The intervention provided a total of 2 g daily and was evaluated for only 4 weeks
• Findings relate to the particular amla tablet used in this trial and do not establish a general digestive-health effect for standardized cardiometabolic extracts
• Additional studies are needed to confirm reproducibility and longer-term safety.
12) Akhbari M, Firooz A, Rahimi R, et al. The effect of an oral product containing Amla fruit (Phyllanthus emblica L.) on female androgenetic alopecia: A randomized controlled trial. J Ethnopharmacol. 2024.
PMID: 37487962
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2023.116958
Population: Women with female androgenetic alopecia (n=60 randomized).
Design: Triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial evaluating 10 mL of an amla-containing syrup three times daily for 12 weeks.
Key findings:
• The anagen-to-telogen hair ratio increased more in the amla group than in the placebo group
• Physician- and participant-rated improvement scores favored the amla preparation
• One participant reported mild constipation
• The intervention was a syrup formulation rather than a standardized Capros®-type extract
• The study was small, evaluated only women, lasted 12 weeks, and has not yet been independently replicated
• Results should be regarded as preliminary and should not be extrapolated to topical amla oil or other amla formulations.
Educational Notice
These summaries are provided for educational purposes to review published scientific literature and should not be interpreted as medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment recommendations. Readers should consult qualified healthcare professionals for personal medical decisions.
FDA Disclaimer
These statements have not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Dietary supplements are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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