What is ‘oatzempic’? Does it actually work for weight loss? |
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram lately, you may have seen people blending oats with water or juice and calling it “oatzempic.”
The name is a nod to Ozempic, a prescription medication used primarily for type 2 diabetes that also suppresses appetite. Videos of the oatzempic drink usually promise easy weight loss, effortless fullness and a “natural alternative” to medication.
But is oatzempic supported by science? The short answer is no. Let’s unpack why.
There is no standard recipe for oatzempic, but most videos show people blending one to two tablespoons of rolled oats with a glass of water. Others add lemon or lime juice, cinnamon or soak the oats first.
The suggested benefit is that drinking the mixture will create a sense of fullness and reduce appetite.
Some TikTok videos recommend to have oatzempic instead of breakfast. Others say to drink it as a mid-afternoon snack to prevent overeating later in the day.
Many users on social media report feeling fuller after drinking oatzempic which is not surprising.
Oats are rich in beta-glucan, a type of soluble fibre that forms a gel-like substance when mixed with water. This slows down digestion which helps you to feel full.
There is good evidence that diets rich in viscous soluble fibre (like that from oats) modestly improve