A new weight loss hack is circulating on TikTok. People claim that this natural drink is an inexpensive but equally effective version of Ozempic. Health professionals are skeptical.
What is Ozempic and why is it popular?
Ozempic exploded in popularity in recent years when people realized that the drug, which is actually prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes, had a common side effect of weight loss.
Although Ozempic is far from the first weight loss drug to exist, it quickly became a household name due to its effectiveness (one study found that people receiving weekly semaglutide injections lost an average of about 5 pounds per month ), FDA approval, its ability to be dosed weekly rather than daily, and to be put in the social media spotlight by celebrities.
A number of celebrities, including Oprah, Kelly Clarkson, Dr. Phil, Chelsea Handler, Sharon Osbourne, Elon Musk (although he took Wegovy, which has a higher dose than Ozempic), Amy Schumer and Heather Gay from the Real Housewives of Salt Lake City, publicly mentioned the drug (a similar drug), People reported.
The growing popularity of this medication has led to a shortage of people who actually need it to treat their diabetes.
But, with a monthly price of $935, possible side effects, and the need for a doctor’s prescription, Ozempic isn’t accessible (or desirable) for everyone looking for a fast-acting weight loss solution.
This is where “rice-zempic” has anchored its market.
What is “zempic rice”?
When you search for rice-zempic on TikTok, dozens and dozens of videos pop up, all posted in the last week or so, signaling the start of a trend that could soon make its way onto your FYP. Before that, oatzempic was the latest craze in weight-loss drinks.
Under the search term rice-zempic, TikTok has a disclaimer that says “you weigh more than your weight” and provides two links to eating disorder resources.
Although the exact recipe for zempic rice varies from person to person, it generally involves soaking unwashed rice and lemon juice in hot or warm water. People let this mixture sit for 5 to 30 minutes (or overnight), remove the rice, and drink the remaining starchy liquid. Some wait half an hour after consuming the concoction to eat.
Several users also pointed out that the rice-zempic challenge is not a diet or detox. Unlike liquid diets or detoxes that require you to replace all your meals with a juice, shake, or other liquid, zempic rice is taken in addition to your regular diet.
@iarahs_utoob I lost almost 6 pounds in 4 days and I wasn’t exercising or dieting during that time so I think it worked but I’m going to move on and try other things in Because of my concerns about high levels of arsenic in rice, I don’t think it’s worth taking the risk of heavy metal accumulation for my future. Let’s move on! #ricezempic #ricewater #limejuice #cinnamon #science #chorroking💩👑 #weightloss ♬ original sound – 🔥✨iarahs✨🔥
Results from real people
Those who posted their trip online shared mixed reviews. One woman reported losing six pounds in four days (about 1.5 pounds per day), another 7 pounds in a week (about one pound per day), and after six days one woman lost a total of 0 pounds.
Clearly, the results are mixed.
“It’s just something you add to your diet to see if it helps you lose weight, and I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that,” said @moonlightxdiaries, who lost 7 books in 7 days. “Even if you get all that back when you stop drinking rice water, I don’t think it’s a big deal. I think it’s pretty cool to see the scale go down every day just because you’re drinking rice water.
TikToker @msnigrinis, who is on day 10 of the challenge, said she hasn’t lost weight through the challenge but has noticed she’s less bloated, so she’ll continue with the water. rice for a while longer.
@moonlightxdiaries Zempic rice water challenge, day 5 of 7. Sorry it took so long to upload today’s video. It was a stressful day but I did my best to make the video and answer the most asked questions. ♥️ #rizempic #ricewater #ricewaterchallenge ♬ original sound – Clair de lune | Food diary
The science behind rice-zempic
Health professionals say there are some benefits to incorporating rice water into your diet, but no science supports it as a weight loss solution.
Since it’s just starchy water with a little lemon, the drink is low in calories and contains good nutrients, so it won’t do you any harm. To aid weight loss, it can be used as a meal replacement or taken before a meal to help you feel full faster.
But that’s about all.
“While rice water may have some nutritional benefits, such as providing an energy source due to its starch content, there is no evidence to suggest that it has any properties that would significantly impact weight loss, especially in the same way that diabetes medications like Ozempic do,” Scott Keatley, RD, co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy, tells Health.
Even the feeling of fullness felt from the starch building in one’s stomach will be “very short-lived,” Kunal Shah, MD, assistant professor in the division of endocrinology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, tells Health.
And if you suffer from acid reflux, the lime in the concoction could make your health problems worse.
Even if you lose weight from drinking, it will likely be temporary and return immediately since you’re not making any “permanent, healthy, long-term changes,” Mir Ali, MD, medical director of Memorial Care Surgical Weight, said. Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, told Health.
“It doesn’t imitate Ozempic in any way,” Ali said. “It doesn’t have hormonal effects like Ozempic to stimulate the receptors.”
Instead, medical experts recommend a low-calorie, nutrient-dense diet that is high in protein and low in carbohydrates. This, along with exercise, can lead to lasting weight loss.
Can rice water be dangerous?
Several people in videos or comments sections have expressed concern about the presence of arsenic in unwashed rice, which can pose a health risk if consumed in large quantities.
“I lost almost six pounds, but I decided to stop because… there’s arsenic in rice. This is a high level because of the way the crops are flooded,” @iarahs_utoob said in his video.
And they’re not wrong; while arsenic is found in small amounts in many foods and drinks, it’s in rice that it accumulates the most.
“In fact, it is the largest dietary source of inorganic arsenic, which is the most toxic form,” Healthline reported. High levels of inorganic arsenic have been found in rice products like rice milk, rice cereal, and rice crackers.
To reduce the amount of arsenic in rice, it should be washed before cooking, this can reduce arsenic by 10-28%.
Although rice can be consumed in moderation (in fact, most of the world relies on it as a primary food source), rice water challenge participants could actually be exposing themselves to unnecessary arsenic.
The Daily Dot reached out to @moonlightxdiaries via a TikTok direct message and comment, @iarahs_utoob via a TikTok direct message and comment, and @msnigrinis via an Instagram direct message and TikTok comment.