High blood cholesterol is a key risk factor for heart disease — the leading cause of death in America and third leading cause of mortality worldwide.
Animal and human studies suggest that corosolic acid and PGG in banaba leaves may help lower blood cholesterol and triglycerides levels.
In one 10-week study in mice fed a high cholesterol diet, those treated with corosolic acid showed a 32% reduction in blood cholesterol and a 46% reduction in liver cholesterol levels, compared with a control group.
Similarly, a 10-week study in 40 adults with impaired fasting glucose found that a combination of banaba leaf and turmeric extracts reduced triglyceride levels by 35% and increased HDL (good) cholesterol levels by 14%.
While these results are promising, research on the direct effects of banaba leaves on blood cholesterol levels is still needed.