Viral ‘Oatzempic’ drink claims to melt away 40lb in two months – we asked the experts if it really works
ANOTHER day, another viral TikTok challenge.
This time it's "", a concoction of porridge oats, water and lime blended all together, which some users have even claimed can melt away 40lb in two just months.
If the name sounds vaguely familiar, it's because it combines the words "oats" and "Ozempic" - the type 2 diabetes medication that has the added benefit of helping users shed weight.
The surge in popularity around Ozempic and Wegovy - a weight loss drug that contains the same active ingredient semaglutide - has meant people have been on the lookout for cheap or 'natural' versions of the jabs.
From berberine to psyllium husk, a number ingredients or supplements have gained the moniker "nature's Ozempic" in recent months, though experts have cast doubt on their efficacy.
Meanwhile, a study has suggested that two very common house plants could become the the source of new Ozempic-style weight loss medications.
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Oatzempic is just the latest craze to feature in this cycle of weight loss trends, with a slew of TikTok users uploading daily videos of themselves following the "Oatzempic challenge".
But can chugging a blend of oats, citrus and water daily really melt away the pounds like a fat jab would?
We asked dietitian and lead for Evidence-Based Medicine and Nutrition at Aston University, Duane Mellor, and Dr Pamela Mason, a nutritionist and researcher for , about their thoughts on the viral weight loss challenge.
Here's what they had to say.
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What is 'oatzempic'?
The exact proportion of oats, water and lime varies across TikTok videos, but a general recipe for the drink is half a cup of oats, a cup of water and half a lime.
"The theory is that the combination of oats and lime is a gentle appetite suppressant," Dr Mason told the Sun.
People trying the challenge claim the oats help them feel fuller for longer when they have them for breakfast and help even help them curb cravings.
"This is basically porridge or overnight oats," Dr Mellor told the Sun.
"It is nothing more than this with a bit of lime juice."
Could the "Oatzempic challenge" help you lose weight?
The Oatzempic drinks main ingredient is oats.
"Oats are a very useful food for weight loss," Dr Mason said, as they're high in fibre, "which swells up in the gut helping to make us feel fuller for longer after meals".
The porridge oats contain a type of soluble fibre called beta-glucan, which can help to manage cholesterol levels, according to the dietitian.
"Secondly, oats also contain some protein which helps to dampen hunger," she went on.
Dr Mason referred to research published in the journal , which found that eating oats can help people lose weight and shrink their waist circumference, while improving blood pressure, lowering ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol and controlling appetite.
“But the rapid weight loss claimed for Oatzempic would seem unlikely," Dr Mason stated.
"Plus, it is neither healthy nor sustainable to attempt to lose the amount of weight over a short period of time claimed for the use of Oatzempic," she added.
People trying the challenge claim it could help you lose 40lbs (2st 2lbs or 18kg) in two months.
But Dr Mason said weight should be lost slowly and steadily - for example 1-2 lbs or 0.5-1kg each week.
Approach Oatzempic with caution if you have diabetes, as blended oats, especially if using instant oats, may result in poor blood glucose control
Dr Pamela Mason
Dr Mellor was equally doubtful of Oatzempic users claims of rapid weight loss.
"That is not likely," according to Dr Mellor.
"Also it is not advised to lose such large amounts of weight without medical support and ideally nutritional advice from a dietitian to try and make sure their diet is balanced and healthy,"; he added.
He noted that oats are slow-releasing carbohydrates - meaning they provide a slower and more sustained release of energy - so the blend "could help with appetite control".
"Beyond that it is unlikely to have any ability to result in the rapid weight loss suggested in influencers' videos," Dr Mellor said.
Should we be comparing the oat drink to Ozempic?
Though Dr Mellor and Dr Mason said oats can be part of a healthy diet and even help with weight management, both said the oat drink shouldn't be compared to Ozempic.
"It is not able to have the same pharmaceutical effects of (GLP-1 RA) medications like Wegovy," Dr Mellor said.
These medications work by mimicking the GLP-1 hormone produced naturally by your gut when you eat food, to control blood sugar levels, slow down digestion of food and reduce hunger pangs.
"It is also wrong to link it to Ozempic, as this is the dose of semaglutide that is only licensed for people with type 2 diabetes in the UK," he went on.
Meanwhile, Dr Mason told the Sun it was "misleading to compare Oatzempic to weight loss and diabetes medications like Ozempic or Wegovy, which are prescribed by a doctor.
GLP-1 drugs slow down digestion, "which can help people feel fuller for longer to a greater extent than oats, as healthy as oats are", she added.
Foods to curb appetite
Ozempic is a medical drug that helps to reduce appetite.
You can help manage your appetite with the foods you eat, too.
Try to eat more:
- Fruits and vegetables (around half your plate)
- Lean meats, fish, poultry, eggs
- Pulses like beans and lentils
- Whole grains, like popcorn, brown rice, pasta
- Whole fruits instead of fruit juices
Are there any health risks to participating in the challenge?
All this being said, drinking Oatzempic probably won't harm you.
As Dr Mellor put it: "Aside from some bloating, which is the same as eating porridge, it is likely to be healthy."
But Dr Mason said using instant oats might a pose a risk to some.
“Approach Oatzempic with caution if you have diabetes, as blended oats, especially if using instant oats, may result in poor blood glucose control," she warned.
How can I lose weight without resorting to viral trends?
Dr Mason said: “The healthiest way to lose weight, if you need to, is to eat less, that is reduce your portion sizes, reduce snacks and aim for your meals to be healthy.";
You can lose weight safely by consuming a healthy, balanced diet that's high in fibre, with plenty of vegetables and fruit, lean protein and healthy fats.
Ideally, all means should contain these elements.
Make sure you're drinking plenty of fluids too, the nutritionist added.
And there's no reason why you shouldn't have porridge for breakfast.
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"A healthy meal providing fibre will help to fill you up and a meal with oats can be consumed as part of a healthy diet and to help manage and reduce weight," Dr Mason added.
A 50g bowl of oats typically contains about 4 grams of fibre, which she said you can boost by adding a tablespoon of pumpkin seeds and a handful of berries.
How to lose weight safely
Losing weight should be a long-term commitment to healthier living, rather than any drastic measures.
The NHS tips - which can be adopted slowly - include:
- Get active for 150 minutes a week – you can break this up into shorter sessions
- Aim to get your 5 A Day – 80g of fresh, canned or frozen fruit or vegetables count as 1 portion
- Aim to lose 1 to 2lbs, or 0.5 to 1kg, a week
- Read food labels – products with more green colour coding than amber and red are often a healthier option
- Swap sugary drinks for water – if you do not like the taste, add slices of lemon or lime for flavour
- Cut down on food that's high in sugar and fat – start by swapping sugary cereal for wholegrain alternatives
- Share your weight loss plan with someone you trust – they can help motivate you when you have a bad day
Read about:
- The five fat loss foundations
- The calorie formula for weight loss
- The perfect portion sizes for meals to lose weight
- Sun Health's 8-week weight loss kick start plan