Doctor debunks 'nature's Ozempic' gelatin trend going viral on social media
The latest viral trend taking over social media has people turning to gelatin, dubbed "nature's Ozempic," to curb their appetites without a GLP-1 prescription -- but medical experts say claims of gelatin's effectiveness as a weight loss aid are overstated.
People who have tried the trend -- which involves mixing a spoonful of gelatin into warm water and drinking it 15 to 30 minutes before a meal -- have claimed in social media videos that the beverage helps people lose weight by forming a gel in the stomach and supposedly taking up space, signaling to the brain that they're getting full.
According to Dr. Stephanie Widmer, an emergency medicine physician and medical toxicologist, gelatin "may be a quick fix but is not a magic bullet for weight loss."
"The biggest issue is that most viral claims about gelatin and weight loss are overstated," Widmer told ABC News. "Gelatin can fit into a healthy diet, but it certainly should not replace balanced meals. It shouldn't replace fiber, fruits, vegetables, and other protein sources that may actually help you feel full longer."
For anyone comparing the homemade concoction to GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Widmer further explained that the two have completely different properties and efficacy.
"Gelatin is mostly a protein. It can help you feel fuller for a short period of time, whereas GLP-1s really work on a hormonal level. These are two entirely different things," she said.
GLP-1s, or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, mimic the GLP-1 hormone produced in the gut after eating. They work by helping the pancreas increase the production of insulin to move sugar from the blood into body tissues -- which reduces blood sugar and therefore helps control Type 2 diabetes -- and also slow down the movement of food through the stomach and curb appetite, thereby causing weight loss.
GLP-1 drugs have increased in popularity in recent years and are prescribed under brand names including Ozempic and Wegovy.
There is no one-size-fits-all diet or ingredient to lose weight, as individual health needs vary. People should consult a physician before making any major changes to their diets.
