The clinical trial, recently published in Obesity Pillars, followed 128 adults who completed a structured weight-loss programme that included monthly group seminars on healthy eating and exercise. Participants who took Amarasate® lost significantly more weight and body fat than those given a placebo, while reporting lower levels of hunger and fewer cravings for fatty, salty and savoury foods. Researchers believe these effects may have made it easier for participants to stick with the healthy habits encouraged during the study.

Participants taking Amarasate® lost an average of 3.77 kg over the six months compared with 0.40 kg in the placebo group. Body composition testing showed they lost almost 4.5 kg of body fat over the intervention period. By comparison, participants in the placebo group reached a maximum fat loss of around 1.6 kg at three months, before gradually regaining fat and weight over the remainder of the study. Importantly, neither group experienced any loss of muscle mass, indicating the additional weight loss with Amarasate® came from fat rather than lean tissue.

Although both groups showed similar improvements during the first three months, researchers found those taking Amarasate® continued to improve their body composition throughout the second half of the trial, while participants receiving the placebo gradually regained fat and weight. They believe the supplement's effects on hunger and food cravings may have helped participants maintain the healthy eating and exercise habits encouraged during the programme.

“Many people know what lifestyle changes they need to make to improve their health, but sticking with those changes over time can be incredibly challenging,” says Dr Edward Walker, lead researcher and scientist at the Bioeconomy Science Institute.

“Our study suggests that Amarasate® may help people maintain positive changes to their diet and exercise routines by reducing hunger and food cravings. Rather than replacing healthy habits, it appears to support them.”

Amarasate® is made from a New Zealand-grown proprietary bitter hop extract and is designed to activate the body’s natural “bitter brake” response in the gut, stimulating hormones involved in appetite regulation, including glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and cholecystokinin (CCK).

Amarasate® was identified by Bioeconomy Science Institute scientists (formerly Plant & Food Research) as part of the MBIE-funded Foods for Appetite Control programme. Amarasate is the active ingredient in Calocurb, an appetite-management supplement now sold internationally by Calocurb Limited, a New Zealand company established to commercialise the technology and bring the research to consumers.

“It was particularly encouraging to see that participants taking Amarasate® continued to improve their body composition throughout the second half of the study, when maintaining motivation and adherence to lifestyle advice often becomes more difficult,” says Dr Walker.

The researchers say the findings highlight the potential for evidence-based, non-pharmaceutical approaches that work alongside healthy eating and exercise programmes to support long-term weight management and healthy body composition.

The randomised, double-blind clinical trial recruited 128 adults aged 18–45 years with overweight or obesity. Participants received either a placebo or 500 mg of Amarasate® daily while taking part in a six -month lifestyle programme focused on healthy eating and exercise.

The study was conducted by scientists from the Bioeconomy Science Institute and published in Obesity Pillars.

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