Short answer: Evidence here is mixed compared with the other actives, but it is a familiar and well-tolerated botanical in this category — a direct, unhedged assessment.
Why this ingredient is singled out for weaker evidence, not removed
Garcinia cambogia has weaker evidence than the other actives — this direct admission, rather than quietly downplaying it, reflects a genuinely candid editorial standard.
Why it's still included despite this acknowledged weakness
Hydroxycitric acid is included to support appetite control and to inhibit citrate lyase — a plausible, if less robustly evidenced, mechanism worth understanding in context.
💡 Worth knowing: the evidence behind most of the actives is solid, with garcinia cambogia being the weakest link — a specific, honest ranking worth remembering.