Amarasate

Amarasate (from Latin Amarum, "bitter" and Satietas, "satiety") is a bitter extract derived from a New Zealand commercial variety of Humulus lupulus (hops). Amarasate was developed and trademarked by Plant & Food Research, now a group of the Bioeconomy Science Institute, following a NZD $20 million New Zealand Government-funded research initiative aimed at developing gut-targeted, plant-based nutraceuticals for appetite control.

Appetite suppression mechanism

Amarasate is a supplement developed to trigger the "Bitter Brake" satiety mechanism, whereby bitter foods targeted to the small intestine trigger the release of the same appetite suppressing gut hormones that are typically elevated after a meal.[1]

The Bitter Brake concept was developed based on a combination of historical data supporting the use of bitter foods as a means to suppress appetite,[2][3][4] and the discovery of bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs) in appetite regulating enteroendocrine cells of the gastrointestinal tract.[5] In vitro and biopsy research had identified TAS2Rs throughout the gastrointestinal tract and over 900 plant compounds were tested, with amarasate found to be a potent TAS2R activator.[6]

The role of gastrointestinal taste receptors has been examined in animal and human trials and a 2021 meta-analysis determined that pre-meal treatment with bitter compounds reduced energy intake, concluding that "bitter stimuli are most potent to influence eating behaviour".[7]

Scientific research

Amarasate capsules have been clinical tested and demonstrated to reduce hunger and emptiness, to decrease food intake and to increase blood concentrations of appetite suppressing gut peptide hormones CCK, GLP-1 and PYY.[8] Amarasate was developed on the concept that by activating bitter taste receptors (TAS2Rs), in the gastrointestinal tract, it would stimulate the release of these gut-derived hormones and potentially lead to weight loss.[8]

Clinical and laboratory research indicates that Amarasate increases GLP-1 and CCK to six times baseline levels, approximately twice the normal post-meal hormone response, within one hour of ingestion. This response mimics the body's natural satiety mechanisms without the use of external GLP-1 agonists.[8]

Three small clinical trials have been published, in normal humans:

  • A 2019 trial in 30 healthy men who fasted for 24 hours showed a 25–30% reduction in hunger scores with Amarasate compared to the placebo.[1]
  • In a 2022 randomized, crossover study of 19 healthy-weight men, Amarasate reduced energy intake by 18% at an ad libitum meal. It also significantly elevated GLP-1 and CCK levels.[8]
  • A 2024 study involving 30 healthy adult women under fasting conditions found a 40% reduction in food cravings, along with a 30% drop in hunger and a 14.3% reduction in rebound eating.[9]

Product

The extract is available commercially as Calocurb, an oral dietary supplement for appetite management which was launched in New Zealand in 2018. The capsule has an enteric coating to pass through the stomach and allow delivery to the small intestine.[10]

Safety Profile

Amarasate has been well tolerated in human trials, with no serious adverse events reported. Mild gastrointestinal symptoms such as bloating or nausea have occasionally been observed, typically resolving without intervention. The extract is derived from a food source (hops) traditionally used in brewing and is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA for use in dietary supplements[11].

References

  1. ^ a b Walker, Edward; Lo, Kim; Tham, Sze; Pahl, Malcolm; Lomiwes, Dominic; Cooney, Janine; Wohlers, Mark; Gopal, Pramod (13 November 2019). "New Zealand Bitter Hops Extract Reduces Hunger During a 24h Water Only Fast. Nutrients 2019, 11 (11), 2754". Nutrients. 11 (11): 2754. doi:10.3390/nu11112754. PMC 6893682. PMID 31766216.
  2. ^ Mithila, M. V.; Khanum, Farhath (September 2014). "The appetite regulatory effect of guggulsterones in rats: a repertoire of plasma hormones and neurotransmitters". Journal of Dietary Supplements. 11 (3): 262–271. doi:10.3109/19390211.2014.937045. ISSN 1939-022X. PMID 25025986.
  3. ^ Sarup, Prerna; Bala, Suman; Kamboj, Sunil (2015). "Pharmacology and Phytochemistry of Oleo-Gum Resin of Commiphora wightii (Guggulu)". Scientifica. 2015 138039. doi:10.1155/2015/138039. ISSN 2090-908X. PMC 4637499. PMID 26587309.
  4. ^ Lee, Roberta A.; Balick, Michael J. (2007). "Indigenous use of Hoodia gordonii and appetite suppression". Explore. 3 (4): 404–406. doi:10.1016/j.explore.2007.05.005. ISSN 1550-8307. PMID 17681262.
  5. ^ Rozengurt, Nora; Wu, S. Vincent; Chen, Monica C.; Huang, Carlos; Sternini, Catia; Rozengurt, Enrique (November 2006). "Colocalization of the α-subunit of gustducin with PYY and GLP-1 in L cells of human colon". American Journal of Physiology. Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. 291 (5): G792–G802. doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00074.2006. ISSN 0193-1857. PMID 16728727.
  6. ^ "New study finds bitter plant extract suppresses food intake · Plant & Food Research". Plant & Food Research. Retrieved 30 September 2025.
  7. ^ Klaassen, Tim; Keszthelyi, Daniel; Troost, Freddy J.; Bast, Aalt; Masclee, Adrian A. M. (September 2021). "Effects of gastrointestinal delivery of non-caloric tastants on energy intake: a systematic review and meta-analysis". European Journal of Nutrition. 60 (6): 2923–2947. doi:10.1007/s00394-021-02485-4. ISSN 1436-6215. PMC 8354866. PMID 33559026.
  8. ^ a b c d Walker, Edward G; Lo, Kim R; Pahl, Malcolm C; Shin, Hyun S; Lang, Claudia; Wohlers, Mark W; Poppitt, Sally D; Sutton, Kevin H; Ingram, John R (1 March 2022). "An extract of hops (Humulus lupulus L.) modulates gut peptide hormone secretion and reduces energy intake in healthy-weight men: a randomized, crossover clinical trial". The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 115 (3): 925–940. doi:10.1093/ajcn/nqab418. ISSN 0002-9165. PMID 35102364.
  9. ^ Walker, Edward; Lo, Kim; Gopal, Pramod (1 September 2024). "Gastrointestinal delivery of bitter hop extract reduces appetite and food cravings in healthy adult women undergoing acute fasting". Obesity Pillars. 11 100117. doi:10.1016/j.obpill.2024.100117. ISSN 2667-3681. PMC 11279280. PMID 39071168.
  10. ^ Keall, Chris (8 October 2025). "New Zealand's Wegovy and Ozempic alternative Calocurb says it'll double its business with new US deal". Auckland: The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
  11. ^ Program, Human Foods (3 October 2024). "Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS)". FDA. Retrieved 22 January 2026.
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