Botanical ingredients expert Euromed has introduced PerFix, a persimmon extract to support weight control.
26 February 2025, PerFix is manufactured from locally grown Mediterranean persimmons. The ingredient, Euromed says, has clinically been shown to aid in the loss of fat and body shaping.
It is made from a mild, patented process using ultra-purified water as the only solvent, maintaining important bioactive substances like tannins, polyphenols, and carotenoids.
Carried out at the Department of Health Sciences, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM), Spain, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial recruited 71 healthy adults between 18 and 65 years of age who were all defined as overweight or 'mildly obese'.
They were randomized into two groups: one group taking 400mg daily of PerFix, and a placebo group taking similar capsules that had no active ingredient. The trial was for 120 days, during which the subjects continued their regular diet and level of activity.
During the course of the trial, subjects in the PerFix group lost on average 2.2kg while those in the placebo group gained 0.7kg. Fat mass was reduced by 2.1kg in the PerFix group while the placebo group showed a gain of 1.1kg. Also, waist, abdominal, and hip circumferences diminished in the PerFix group.
Trunk fat mass decreased by 1.1kg, which points to the persimmon extract's efficacy in targeting visceral and abdominal fat. Notably, no considerable decrease in lean or muscle mass was noted, indicating PerFix can induce fat loss without affecting physical strength or metabolic function. These effects, along with enhanced mental health scores of participants, were noted at the midpoint of the study (60 days).
Andrea Zangara, scientific marketing and medical affairs director at Euromed, added: "Consumers today are health-conscious and look for natural, holistic approaches that enhance quality of life and self-confidence. PerFix's distinct capacity to enhance fat loss, maintain muscle, and enhance body proportions fits with the twin aspirations of wellness and appearance."
Persimmon extract, in the context of weight management, relates to the broader use of botanical extracts in the functional food and dietary supplements sectors, which are fast-expanding segments of the botanical extracts market.
According to Coherent Market Insights, the botanical extracts industry is anticipated to expand at a high CAGR during the forecast period owing to increasing awareness about the side effects of allopathic medicines.
Spices are the biggest source of botanical extracts and the segment takes the biggest portion in the worldwide botanical extracts business claims research advisor Pankaj Poddar.