Another semaglutide (Ozempic)-related trend is grabbing headlines. While oats have long been used for a variety of health benefits, the new “oatzempic” claims are raising some eyebrows. Here’s what you should know.
“Oatzempic” is essentially an oat smoothie, including 1/2 cup of oats, 1 cup of water, and juice from one half of a lime. Social media influencers claim that fasting and then consuming the oat concoction for the first meal each day has weight loss effects like semaglutide. While this is generating a lot of buzz, there aren’t any supportive data on this new trend. Plus, any weight loss benefits from this diet may be due to fasting and calorie restriction rather than the oat smoothie itself.
While this specific fad isn’t backed by good data, consuming oats in general does offer benefits. They’re a rich source of soluble fiber, which can help lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. There’s also evidence that consuming oats can lower blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as lipid levels, in patients with diabetes.
If patients ask about “oatzempic,” explain that whether this specific oat concoction is beneficial remains unclear. But tell them that incorporating oats into their daily diet may be helpful for weight loss, heart health, and blood sugar control. Most benefits are seen when at least 3.6 grams of soluble fiber are consumed from oat products daily.
Review our oats monograph to learn more.
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