Research tracker
Every HMPA study, in one place
Short answer
As of October 2026, published HMPA research is mostly in mice: a 2019 study linking HMPA from gut microbes to better metabolism, a 2023 study showing it works through the GPR41 receptor, and a 2024 study on grip strength. The only human data, a 12-week visceral fat study of 74 adults, is company-reported and not yet peer-reviewed.
The studies
| Year | Model | What was tested | Main finding | Evidence level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Mice | HMPA for 14 days, then grip and treadmill tests | Better grip strength and less protein breakdown after exercise. Endurance unchanged. | Peer-reviewed, animal |
| 2023 | Mice on a high-fat diet, incl. GPR41-knockout mice | HMPA in the diet | Less weight gain and liver fat via GPR41-driven fat breakdown | Peer-reviewed, animal |
| 2019 | Diet-induced obese mice | Ferulic acid (HMCA) and its gut metabolite HMPA | The metabolic benefit of HMCA came mainly from the HMPA gut microbes made | Peer-reviewed, animal |
| Undated | 74 Japanese adults, BMI 23–30 | 23 mg HMPA a day for 12 weeks vs non-takers | 4.2 cm² less visceral fat area; smaller waist | Company-reported, human |
How we grade the evidence
- Independent, peer-reviewed human trials (randomised and placebo-controlled). None published for HMPA yet.
- Company-reported human studies. One, for visceral fat.
- Peer-reviewed animal studies. Three, all in mice.
- Cell and mechanism studies. Useful for the how, not the how much.
We label every claim on this site with its level, and we don't put level 2–4 evidence on a can as a promise.
What's still missing
- An independent, peer-reviewed randomised controlled trial in people.
- Any study in South Asian or Indian populations, who carry more visceral fat at a given BMI.
- Long-term human safety data beyond 12 weeks.
- Dose-response data: whether more than 23 mg a day does anything extra.
How we keep this current
We review this page every quarter and whenever a new HMPA paper appears. The date at the top shows the last review. If we've missed a study, tell us when you join the list and we'll add it.
Questions people ask
Is there a human clinical trial of HMPA?
One 12-week study in 74 Japanese adults (BMI 23–30, 23 mg a day) reported 4.2 cm² less visceral fat area. It is company-reported; we have not found a peer-reviewed paper as of October 2026.
What did the 2023 HMPA GPR41 study find?
In mice on a high-fat diet, HMPA reduced weight gain and liver fat by activating the GPR41 receptor and switching on fat breakdown. Mice lacking GPR41 were used to show that the effect depends on the receptor.
Has HMPA been studied in Indians?
Not that we've found. All human data so far come from Japanese adults, so results in Indian populations are unknown.
Sources
- 01Effects of HMPA on enhancing grip strength and inhibiting protein catabolism induced by exhaustive exercise (2024). International Journal of Molecular Sciences.Peer-reviewed · mice
- 02Ohue-Kitano et al. (2023). HMPA contributes to improved hepatic lipid metabolism via GPR41. Scientific Reports.Peer-reviewed · mice
- 03Ohue-Kitano et al. (2019). HMPA produced from HMCA by gut microbiota improves host metabolic condition in diet-induced obese mice. Nutrients.Peer-reviewed · mice
- 04ReFa Slim Up Vinegar: 12-week HMPA study summary (74 adults, BMI 23–30, 23 mg/day).Company-reported · humans
Keep reading
- Guide · Fat lossDoes HMPA help with fat loss?Does HMPA help you lose fat? We read every study: mouse data on GPR41 and liver fat, and a 12-week human study (74 adults, 23 mg a day) on visceral fat. An honest answer, with sources.→
- Guide · IngredientWhat is HMPA?HMPA (3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)propionic acid) is a compound in fermented rice bran that gut bacteria also make from ferulic acid. What it is, how it works via GPR41, and what studies show.→
Batch 002 is in the lab
Report first. Can second.
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