7 Plant-Based Foods That Mimic Ozempic Naturally and Help Weight Loss

Ozempic, a prescribed medication to treat Type 2 diabetes and lower adverse cardiovascular events, has taken the internet by storm for its weight loss effects. Being viral on TikTok and Instagram as ‘Hollywood’s Worst Kept Secret,’ Ozempic has become a viral method in the treatment of obesity. If you are also planning to turn towards this viral medication, you might first explore the plant-based food options that naturally mimic Ozempic.

Yes, in a conversation with the Onlymyhealth editorial team, Ms Veena V, Chief Clinical Dietitian & HOD - Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Aster Whitefield Hospital, Bengaluru, shared that individuals can choose natural plant-based alternatives to the drug. Read ahead to know what she shared:

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a brand name for the GLP-1 (Glucagon-like-peptide-1) receptor agonist for the active ingredient semaglutide. This medicine is used worldwide for diabetes and obesity. It was founded by a Danish pharmaceutical company and was first approved in 2017 for treating Type 2 Diabetes by the US Food and Drug Administration.

Dietitian Veena V explained, “Ozempic is an anti-diabetic drug mainly used in diabetes management and weight control. The most notable feature of its mechanism is the imitation of a natural hormone, GLP-1. This hormone supports the body's mechanisms that keep blood sugar levels within the normal range. It slows down the process of gastric transit, reduces the feeling of hunger, eventually making you feel full for longer.”

Ozempic has become a synonym for Semaglutide (the main medical ingredient), which basically reduces your calorie intake and keeps your blood sugar level balanced. This medicine maintains the GLP-1 signal for a very long time and to a very large extent, far beyond what the body normally produces.

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Plant-Based Foods That Naturally Work Like Ozempic

Dietitian Veena underlines that not in the same way but at a significant extent, there are a lot of plant-based foods that are very similar to the effects of Ozempic. "These food options stimulate the body's natural production of GLP-1, slow down food passage from the stomach, increase satiety, and help blood sugar control, all of which are very similar to Ozempic's effect." Here are a few plant-based food options suggested by her:

Cinnamon

According to a study published in Science Direct, Cinnamon, a common Indian household spice, has a great effect on controlling glucose levels in the body. It can not only improve insulin sensitivity but also boost the GLP-1 hormone that Ozempic imitates.

Ginger

Experts consider that gingerol, the main compound of ginger, increases the production of GLP-1 in the body, resulting in blood pressure control and blood sugar level management. Diabetic patients are highly advised to include ginger in their daily diet.

Wheat

Wheat provides hydrolysate, which is a broken-down form of protein, along with many amino acids and peptides. These compounds play a vital role in managing Type 2 diabetes by increasing GLP-1 production, giving similar health effects to Ozempic.

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Legumes and Lentils

Beans, lentils, and chickpeas are also an excellent source of fibre and protein. Lentils provide almost similar results as Ozempic when it comes to slowing down digestion. Consuming legumes also prevents blood sugar spikes.

Berries

Berries like cranberries, blueberries, and blackberries work in a similar manner to Ozempic due to their high fibre properties. Their antioxidant compounds keep blood sugar levels stable naturally and help you feel full for a long time.

Whole Grains and Seeds

Rich in healthy fats such as Omega-3 fatty acids and fibre, Whole grains and seeds mimic the effects of Ozempic. Almonds, oats, nuts, and chia seeds help stimulate the natural hormone GLP-1 production and increase satiety to keep your blood sugar level stable.

Green Tea

Green tea has been known across the world for its health benefits, which popularly include reducing belly fat. Green tea or fermented tea like kombucha contains compounds like EGCG, which have a very similar impact on the body to Ozempic.

Can Plant-Based Food Replace the Need for Ozempic?

Talking about whether diabetic patients can replace their Ozempic need with a plant-based food diet to provide similar effects, Dietitian Veena shared, “Plant-based foods would never be able to exert the same effect as a drug like Ozempic, however, numerous foods can signal the body to produce its own GLP-1 or achieve similar effects.”

“Some dietary fibres, polyphenols, and plant components not only slow down digestion and regulate blood sugar but also induce satiety; thus, they are all factors that come under the physiological pathways activated by GLP-1,” she further added.

She underlines that plant-based foods cannot replace the medical need for Ozempic, but they do share some of the same metabolic pathways.

Bottomline

Plant-based foods like berries and seeds keep the body satiated for more hours, help reduce cravings for junk food, and are capable of gradual weight loss that is both continuous and steady. However, before switching from Ozempic to a plant-based diet, one should consult with a doctor, especially when it comes to diabetic patients and cardiovascular health problems.