Hence it has borrowed from the nomenclature of the blockbuster weight loss drug Ozempic and corrupted it to sound more credible.
HOW BLENDED OATS WORKSThe Oatzempic recipe seems harmless enough on its own as it suggests mixing oats, lime juice and water in a blender.
“However, the weight loss isn’t huge for everyone and it works better when you also change your diet.
Individuals relying solely on medication for weight loss without incorporating lifestyle modifications often witness minimal to negligible weight loss,” says Dua.
But there’s no evidence yet that oats or any food can activate this hormone to an extent needed for weight loss.
On social media, trends pop up and vanish quickly, leaving behind a lot of excitement. One hot topic on TikTok lately is that of “Oatzempic” – a breakfast drink of oats blended with lime juice and water that users claim have helped them lose weight by as much as eight and 10 kilograms in two months! Hence it has borrowed from the nomenclature of the blockbuster weight loss drug Ozempic and corrupted it to sound more credible. But this is nothing more than an attention-seeking sales pitch. Let’s look at the facts.
HOW BLENDED OATS WORKS
The Oatzempic recipe seems harmless enough on its own as it suggests mixing oats, lime juice and water in a blender. Explains Delhi-based dietitian Nimissha Jain, “Oats are rich in soluble fibres called beta-glucans that build satiety, can help in reducing the overall amount of food you have and keep you full longer. They are relatively higher in protein compared to other grains, making them a higher grade of plant-based protein. They are low in glycaemic index that helps stabilise blood sugar levels and are low in calories that undoubtedly help in weight loss. Rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, they seem to be nutrient-rich enough for breakfast.”
Lime is high in vitamin C that supports weight loss, reduces stress and inflammation. “Lime is rich in citric acid that promotes digestion and helps in flushing out toxins from the body, helping in weight loss. There is no study yet that proves its results in weight loss,” adds Jain.
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IT CANNOT REPLACE MEALS
Oats are healthy and lime juice adds flavour, but there’s not much proof they can make you lose weight like Ozempic. As Charu Dua, chief clinical nutritionist, Amrita Hospital, Faridabad, says, “People love the idea of Oatzempic because it seems like an easy way to lose weight without much effort, just sipping on a homemade concoction each morning. Losing weight isn’t just about one magic drink – it’s about eating right, being active and knowing how your body works.”
Using the Oatzempic drink as a meal replacement might help you lose weight because you’re eating fewer calories overall. “But if you just add it to your regular breakfast without thinking about how much you’re eating the rest of the day, it won’t work like magic. To lose weight in a healthy way, you need to eat about 500-600 fewer calories each day by changing what you eat and moving to more physical activity. Also, trying to copy the effects of medicine without a doctor’s help can be risky. Making your own Oatzempic without talking to a doctor could cause problems, especially if you have pre-existing health issues or take other medicines,” argues Dua.
Besides, as Jain says, a healthy breakfast should include all macro nutrients in a balanced format. “It must have 15 gm to 20 gm of protein to meet your daily requirements. Extreme denial means you could end up losing muscle mass rather than fat,” she says.
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UNDERSTAND HOW OZEMPIC WORKS
It’s a medicine that helps with both diabetes and weight loss. “However, the weight loss isn’t huge for everyone and it works better when you also change your diet. Even weight loss outcomes in clinical trials have been modest and variable among individuals. Notably, results were significantly enhanced when complemented with dietary control. Individuals relying solely on medication for weight loss without incorporating lifestyle modifications often witness minimal to negligible weight loss,” says Dua.
Ozempic works by mimicking a hormone called GLP-1, which slows the movement and breakdown of food in your body and signals fullness to the brain. But there’s no evidence yet that oats or any food can activate this hormone to an extent needed for weight loss.
