Experts are warning people against using a ‘budget-friendly Ozempic’ after revealing it can cause major digestive issues and nutrient deficiencies.
While pricey semaglutide medications have swept the nation to aid weight loss, a recent trend involving gelatin has taken social media by storm.
The gelatin trick, dubbed ‘nature’s Ozempic’ online, involves dissolving a packet or tablespoon of unflavored gelatin powder with a full glass of warm water, then drinking the liquid mixture before a meal to suppress appetite.
When consumed 15 to 20 minutes before a meal, the viscous liquid physically fills space in your stomach, which makes the body feel ‘full.’
However, Ro Huntriss, RD and Chief Nutrition Officer at Simple Life, told the Daily Mail that eating gelatin will help suppress hunger – but may not be beneficial in the long run.
‘Gelatin is a protein found in collagen,’ she explained.
‘Like other protein-rich foods, it might help to increase satiety [the physiological and psychological feeling of fullness and satisfaction that occurs after eating],’ she explained.
The expert continued, saying that because protein is generally considered the most satisfying macronutrient, it can slow down how quickly your stomach empties and stimulate the release of hormones involved in appetite control.
Experts are warning people against using a budget-friendly ‘natural Ozempic’ that involves gelatin powder (stock image)
‘So in theory, having some gelatin before a meal might leave certain people feeling a bit fuller, and maybe eat a little less that meal,’ she said.
However, Huntriss warned against viewing the trick as ‘nature’s Ozempic,’ pointing out they work very differently from each other.
‘Medications like semaglutide, sold under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy, are strongly involved in hormonal pathways that affect appetite, food cravings, satiety, and how quickly the stomach empties,’ she said.
‘The effects of gelatin can’t be compared to them in either magnitude or consistency.’
Gelatin works by physically expanding in the stomach after you drink it, filling a portion of the stomach. However, the feeling can sometimes only last for 30 minutes.
While you could feel full, it doesn’t always mean the body is getting the right nutrients and it may mess with hunger signals when the fullness wears off, causing people to overeat later.
While it may curb extreme hunger, Huntriss warned that there are drawbacks to using gelatin for appetite control, which include major digestive issues.
‘Gelatin isn’t a complete protein and offers few vitamins and minerals,’ she pointed out.
The dietitian said that it isn’t guaranteed to work as a weight loss method (stock image)
‘When eaten in large amounts, gelatin can also crowd out more nutritious foods and cause digestive symptoms such as bloating or stomach discomfort.’
The dietitian added that consuming gelatin as a part of a balanced diet won’t do any damage but also isn’t guaranteed to work as a weight loss method.
‘It’s better to turn to evidence-based approaches, such as increasing overall protein consumption, eating fibre-rich foods, staying physically active, and paying more attention to sleep and stress,’ she recommended.
While the trick will help suppress the appetite in the short term, it won’t improve your metabolism and it needs to be paired with healthy foods and exercise.
