Unless you’ve lived on a desert island, you’ll have heard of Ozempic, the weight-loss drug hailed as the holy grail for those suffering from type 2 diabetes and now obesity. But have you heard about the latest weight loss trend? oatmeal-Zempic?
Something more appealing than a weekly injection with side effects like nausea and constipation, oatzempic is the nickname given to a TikTok recipe for a “miracle” breakfast consisting of 240 ml of water, approximately 45 g of oats, a pinch of cinnamon and a splash. of lime, mixed.
No one drinks this just for fun—it’s light and bitter, with a slightly small texture—but online devotees of this oatmeal smoothie claim that, drunk daily as a 40-day “challenge,” it’s just as good for weight loss as the Ozempic Coup.
‘Down 9 pounds [4kg] in three weeks!’ praise a user. ‘Almost a week on and off 4 pounds [1.8kg]’ comments another.
While it’s unclear exactly where the oatmeal recipe originated, it appears to have gained traction thanks to a TikTok user known as ‘The Chorro King’ (@fred_ddy92), whose page is dedicated to his long-standing weight loss efforts. and who has been posting daily videos singing the praises of his ‘atzempic journey’.
Demonstrating the recipe, TikTok user ‘The Chorro King’ has been posting daily videos about the ‘oatzempic journey’
The frequently repeated message in social media posts is that this drink could help you lose 40 pounds. [18kg] in just two months.
But this seems unlikely and possibly risky. NHS guidance, for example, suggests that a safe and sustainable rate of weight loss is 1 to 2 pounds (up to 1 kg) per week (or about 16 pounds, or 8 kg, over two months).
However, there is no doubt that more and more people are following unverified health advice from platforms like TikTok.
This week, a survey of 2,000 people by nutrition tracking app MyFitnessPal found that 61 percent of respondents are influenced by or frequently adopt nutritional trends they’ve found on the platform, and 30 percent had experienced some kind of side effect when trying a TikTok diet fad.
So is there any link between weight loss on Ozempic and that of an oat-based diet, aside from a ridiculous name?
“Ozempic works by mimicking the action of a hormone called GLP-1, which helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduce appetite,” explains London-based GP Dr Chandni Rajani.
To a lesser extent, oats can also reduce hunger. This is due to its fiber content, particularly a type of soluble fiber called beta-glucan.
“This builds up in the gut, helping us feel fuller for longer,” says independent dietitian Carrie Ruxton.
He referred to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition in 2001 that found that eating oats as part of a low-calorie diet resulted in a weight loss of about 4 kg (almost 9 pounds) in eight weeks.
Does this mean that oatzempic could be something rare: a weight loss trend that actually works?
“Of course not,” says Mrs. Ruxton.
“The surprising results reported by some TikTok followers are likely due to the effects of intermittent fasting and substituting unhealthy foods for the oat drink.”
Taking a closer look at oatzempic reviews and those who report losing weight while drinking it, users also reveal that they are doing much more than simply adding this oat drink to their diet: they are fasting, restricting calories, and increasing their activity levels . the same way any dieter would.
The reason this recipe seems to have been successful seems to be mainly due to its clever name and the simple fact that, just like Ozempic makes you feel less hungry, oats can help you feel fuller longer (although through a different mechanism).
‘Oats are generally considered a healthy food choice due to their fiber content, but they do not have the same mechanism of action as Ozempic… [though] “Some people may find them useful as part of a balanced diet for weight management due to their fiber content and potential to reduce cravings,” says Dr. Rajani.
“However, there is no single food that will help you lose several kilos of weight – the key is to be in a calorie deficit,” says Ms Ruxton.
This means you’re taking in less energy than you expending, prompting your body to burn fat for energy.
Nutritionist Carrie Ruxton says you can get the same effect, if not better, with a bowl of oatmeal, a glass of orange juice (for vitamin C), and a handful of berries.
‘For example, a more recent study published in the British Journal of Nutrition in 2010 found that eating fiber from oats without calorie deficit has no effect on weight. There is no such thing as a quick fix.’
So, oatmeal in oatzempic may not directly lead to weight loss, but at least it is not dangerous.
In fact, they are nutritious and provide vitamin B, as well as beta-glucan, which is proven to reduce LDL cholesterol, the so-called “bad” cholesterol that increases the risk of heart disease.
The addition of cinnamon and lime is also potentially beneficial, although these ingredients are present here in negligible quantities, says Ms Ruxton.
«Lime juice would provide a small amount of vitamin C, which promotes normal immune function; while cinnamon is known for its anti-inflammatory effects and helping to lower blood sugar, although the dose used in the studies is higher, around one or two teaspoons, much more than the “pinch” suggested in the recipe .
The same effect, if not better, could be achieved with a bowl of oatmeal, a glass of orange juice (for vitamin C) and a handful of berries (for the polyphenols provided by cinnamon), he adds, and “Probably! It will also taste much better!’