Exclusive:
A new DIY ‘oatzempic’ dieting trend has gone viral on TikTok, as users crave the same result as the controversial A-lister weight loss injection Ozempic – but does it work? Doctors weigh in
Diabetes drug Ozempic has taken Hollywood by storm this year, with Sharon Osbourne and Oprah Winfrey among the countless celebrities taking it to maintain or lose weight. Now, a new DIY ‘oatzempic’ dieting trend has gone viral on TikTok, as social media users crave the same result as the A-lister injection.
According to users of the platform, this bizarre craze involves making a drink from half a cup of oats, one cup of water, a squeezed lime and sometimes cinnamon. Advocates say taking this daily for one month will help you control your weight, with many vlogging their progress online.
Health influencer, Maryam Hampton, is among the fans of oatzempic. Posting to her TikTok page (@ maryamjhampton), she said: “I’ve been trying it for a couple of weeks now and it’s amazing.
“So, I’ve been drinking this drink and it’s been really good for maintaining my weight… it’s super easy to make, I like to drink it in the morning and it actually tastes really good.”
But is this really the case? Experts are in two minds about this, though many agree that comparing it to the £160-a-month drug is quite misleading. Dr Alexis Missick, a GP at UK Meds, told The Mirror: “Oatzempic may help us to feel satisfied and fuller for longer due to oats being high in fibre.
“However, comparisons to Ozempic are misleading. Ozempic is a prescription drug, licensed in the UK for the treatment of type 2 diabetes (not weight loss)… Oatzempic is unlikely to make any real difference without other lifestyle changes, such as a more nutritious diet overall and more exercise.”
Dr Missick explains that Ozempic contains an active ingredient called ‘semagulutide’, which is very similar to a hormone produced naturally by the body called GLP-1. While this may sound confusing, GLP-1 basically has an important role in making us feel less hungry.
So, Ozempic essentially works to mimic this hormone, which can encourage people to eat less and ultimately lose weight. Oats can also trigger a natural release of GLP-1 in the body, but it’s not to the same degree as Ozempic.
Dr Naheed Ali, a nutritionist at SweatBlock, added: “The oatzempic trend is largely baseless when presented as some sort of miracle beverage for melting away pounds. Yes, the soluble fibre in oats can help promote satiety and fullness after consumption, potentially curbing calorie intake to some degree.
“But there’s simply no solid scientific evidence that guzzling an oat-lime drink alone will lead to dramatic or sustainable weight loss results. The science we do know supports oats as an excellent source of nutrients like beta-glucan fiber that can help lower cholesterol and improve glycemic control. They provide filling protein and energizing B vitamins. But oats don’t possess any special fat-burning properties.”
While there’s no real danger to taking this drink alone, experts also urge dieters to be careful if they have a gluten intolerance or celiac disease. Dr Lawrence Cunningham, a medical expert at UK Care Guide, told the Mirror: “Regarding the potential for dangerous side effects, it’s rare for oat drink consumption to pose serious health risks when consumed in moderation.
“However, individuals with specific health conditions, such as gluten intolerance or celiac disease, should be careful. While oats are naturally gluten-free, they’re often processed in facilities that handle wheat, barley, and rye, which can lead to cross-contamination. I’ve seen that even a small amount of gluten can trigger significant health issues for individuals with these conditions.”
Meanwhile, Dr Missick adds that dieters should not be swapping a balanced diet for just oatzempic drinks. Severe calorie restriction such as this can encourage the onset of eating disorders and nutrient deficiences.
She continued: “TikTok weight loss trends, including oatzempic, promote disordered eating and aren’t based in science. If TikTok users do use oatzempic as a meal replacement, this can lead to rapid weight loss, which is not a safe, sustainable way to lose weight.
“This type of weight loss can also result in hair loss, loss of muscle tissue, dizziness, constipation, dehydration and issues with the menstrual cycle. Additionally, if someone then stops the oatzempic diet, they are likely to gain back any weight they lost. This can then lead to a yo-yo dieting cycle, making sustaining a healthy weight harder.”
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