The roots and leaves of Gymnema sylvestre, a climbing vine-like plant, have been used for thousands of years in India. Gurmar, the Hindi name for this herb, means "destroyer of sugar" because it supresses the sweet taste of sugar (i.e. sweet foods no longer taste sweet) Several forms of gymnemic acid have been identified as the anti-sweet principles of this valuable botanical. Souce Naturals Sugar Ban also contains pullulan, an extract of Zizyphus jujuba, which also reduces the human perception of sweet taste. additional supportive nutrients include grapefruit pectin and the mineral chromium.