Gastroenterologists Debunk Kylie Jenner's "Cutting Jelly" - Is it Safe or Just a "Clean Out"?

Kylie Jenner, a figure synonymous with digital influence, has once again ignited a public conversation with her latest endorsement. The beauty mogul recently showcased Foodology’s "Cutting Jelly" on TikTok, hailing the Korean supplement as a new favorite for "digestion" and "debloating" with a goal to "snack less for the new year." However, this pomegranate-flavored gel, often dubbed "Korean Ozempic" across social media, is now at the center of a debate concerning its purported benefits, ingredients, and potential health implications, drawing scrutiny from both the public and medical professionals.

The Viral Sensation and Skeptical Viewers

Jenner's video, captured as she prepared for a high-profile event, featured her holding up the slim plastic packets and describing the product as "not a typical jelly." Despite her enthusiastic remarks about its digestive and debloating properties, observant viewers noted multiple instances where the camera cut away immediately after she appeared to take a bite. This detail fueled immediate skepticism among online commenters, questioning the authenticity of her interaction with the product. Following Jenner's post, the "Cutting Jelly" has seen a surge in popularity on TikTok, with users frequently sharing testimonies of dramatic muscle definition and a claimed cessation of "food noise." However, the reality behind these claims appears to be far more complex, with many users describing a "harsh clean out" effect rather than a gentle wellness boost across various social media platforms.

"Carb-Blocking" a Marketing Myth, Say Experts

Central to the "Cutting Jelly's" appeal is its promise to "block" carbohydrates from converting into fat, a claim attributed largely to its primary active ingredient, Garcinia cambogia. TikTok creator @tiffytummy echoed this belief, calling the tropical plant a "secret fruit" capable of metabolic magic. However, this assertion is strongly refuted by medical professionals. Dr. Chethan Ramprasad, a professor of gastroenterology at Harvard, stated unequivocally that the idea of effectively blocking carbs is a "marketing hook than a physiologic reality." He elaborated that while plant extracts like Garcinia cambogia are marketed as enzyme inhibitors, their real-world impact on preventing calorie absorption in humans is "minimal to non-existent." Instead, any observed "weight loss" is more likely attributable to basic bulking agents like fiber and water, or the strong laxative effect induced by sugar alcohols like D-Sorbitol present in the product, essentially making it function more as a glorified laxative than a metabolic aid, according to Yahoo.

A Pattern of Irresponsible Endorsements?

The Kardashian-Jenner family has a long history of attracting controversy for promoting various health and wellness products. From "Fit Teas" and appetite-suppressing lollipops to meal-replacement shakes, their endorsements have frequently drawn criticism for being "irresponsible." Kylie Jenner's promotion of the "Cutting Jelly" is seen by many as a continuation of this trend. One Reddit user articulated the public's frustration, stating, "It’s so irresponsible for celebrities to advertise supplements and laxatives... there are so many impressionable kids who will take this as gospel and it may actually cause them serious harm." This sentiment underscores a broader concern about the potential for celebrity influence to mislead vulnerable audiences into consuming products with unverified benefits and potential risks.

Significant Health Risks and Regulatory Scrutiny

Beyond the debate over efficacy, significant health concerns are emerging regarding the ingredients within the "Cutting Jelly." The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health Safety (ANSES) has issued a "stark alert," strongly advising the entire population against consuming food supplements containing Garcinia cambogia Yahoo. The agency cited cases of acute hepatitis, including fatal outcomes, in individuals who had consumed the plant, some with no prior medical history. In the United States, Garcinia cambogia's regulatory past is also troubled; in 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requested its withdrawal from the popular Hydroxycut range due to reports of liver, muscle, and cardiac damage. Although the ingredient remains legal in many U.S. supplements, the FDA-Medwatch database continues to receive dozens of adverse reaction reports.

Beyond Liver Damage: A Spectrum of Adverse Effects

The potential risks associated with Garcinia cambogia extend beyond liver damage. Research has linked the ingredient to psychiatric disorders, pancreatitis, and muscular damage. For individuals with sensitive stomachs or conditions like IBS, the D-Sorbitol and high fiber content in the "Cutting Jelly" can lead to severe bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Furthermore, the product is explicitly not recommended for children, pregnant women, or nursing mothers. The "food noise" that TikTok users claim the jelly alleviates is, in fact, the body's natural hunger cues, which are being artificially suppressed or masked by the discomfort caused by a "harsh clean out," according to medical experts. While Garcinia-related liver toxicity may be rare, its occurrence can be severe, potentially necessitating a liver transplant Yahoo. As the "cutting jelly" continues to trend, the critical question for consumers, especially impressionable fans, transcends whether it "works" and pivots to a more urgent inquiry: "Is it safe?"