There’s a new TikTok trend out there, and it’s giving Ozempic, but without the data behind it. Meet ‘ricezempic’.
To give you some background, Ozempic iterations are the gifts that keep on giving on TikTok. Boasting and promising quick weight loss benefits, these at-home Ozempic versions gather momentum and suddenly they’re everywhere you scroll your wee little fingers. For example, one of the latest and not-so-greatest ‘health hacks’ was oatzempic.
Now another grain is taking the spotlight: ricezempic, otherwise known as budget ozempic. What will they think of next (insert older, shrill voice).
Having said that, like moths to a flame, we had to know more. Here, we break down what it is and the overall verdict, although, we reckon you know what the answer is there already.
Pexels: Polina Tankilevitch
What is ricezempic?
Simply put, ricezempic is made by soaking uncooked rice and then straining it to drink the leftover starchy water. Doesn’t that just sound like a truly horrifying drink?
Here below, is a little bit more detail in a step-by-step.
How do you make ricezempic?
- Soak half a cup of white rice (unrinsed) in one cup of warm or hot water up to overnight
- Drain the rice mixture into a fresh glass using a strainer
- Discard the rice (but keep the starchy water)
- Add the juice of half a lime or lemon to the starchy water and drink
Why are people drinking ricezempic?
Converts claim that the drinks makes you feel fuller for longer, overall suppressing your appetite, ostensibly mimicking what the famous weight loss drug, Ozempic, does for diabetics. TikTokers are saying that the drink is best consumed first thing in the morning before food, and once per day. Some reports have even claimed that they’ve lost up to 27 kilos by integrating the hack.
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Why do they believe it aids weight loss? Well, the answer could all down to something called resistant starch.
What is resistant starch?
We caught up with Steph Lowe of The Natural Nutritionist to chat through the ins and outs of resistant starch.
“Most of us are well aware of the benefits that probiotics have on our health, in particular our gut health. But have you ever considered the importance of prebiotics in the human diet? One form of prebiotic that is often overlooked is resistant starch (RS),” explains Steph.
“Resistant starch is a type of food starch that remains intact through the stomach and small intestine, reaching the large intestine (colon) in its whole form. So as the name suggests, RS is resistant to digestion by the host. When RS reaches the large intestine, it begins to ferment and colonic bacteria break it down into short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These SCFAs are the main source of nutrition for the friendly bacteria in the gut and therefore promote healthy gastrointestinal function, improve gut mobility and decrease the risk of leaky gut and inflammatory conditions of the bowel. Due to the indigestible nature of RS, it can also improve insulin sensitivity and lower blood glucose levels, making it incredible for craving control as well as microbiome health!”
There are 4 types of resistant starch, some good and some not so good
- Type 1 RS: starch bound within cell walls, found in grains, seeds and legumes. Some of these foods can cause digestive issues in many individuals due to processing methods and the gluten content, therefore this type of RS is not ideal for everyone.
- Type 2 RS: intrinsically indigestible starch due to high amylose content, found in foods such as green (unripe) bananas and raw white potatoes. This type can also be found in a powder form, such as green banana starch or unrefined potato starch. This is a great option, just make sure you opt for unrefined and natural powders that are made from the type of RS in isolation and no other added ingredients.
- Type 3 RS: formed after one of the above starches have been cooked and rapidly cooled such as cooked and cooled sweet potato, potato or white rice. This is a very cost effective method of consumption and a great way to begin testing out RS.
- Type 4 RS: industrial starch that has been chemically modified and not the type of RS discussed here.
Worth noting, if you’re interested in integrating RS into your diet, you should take it slow. Don’t heave into a bowl of potato salad straight off the bat. Introduce small amounts slowly, for example half a teaspoon in powder form (Type 2) and increase as tolerated, aiming for 1-2 tablespoons per day. Alternatively, add in 1/2 cup of cooked and cooled sweet potato or white (basmati) rice (Type 3) into a main meal, once a day.
But does resistant starch make you feel fuller for longer?
No, there’s no evidence to suggest that resistant starch keeps you feeling sated, and therefore to be used an optimal weight loss tool. While resistant starch certainly boasts great benefits, it should not be taken out of context and exaggerated to achieve unrealistic results.
“In relation to Ozempic, the diabetes-specific drug has a long half-life, remaining active in the body for about seven days. In contrast, consuming one cup of rice provides a feeling of fullness for only a few hours. And simply soaking rice in water and drinking the starchy water will not provide the same level of satiety as eating the rice itself,” stated The Conversation‘s, Emily Burch and Lauren Ball.
Does ricezempic work?
In a word, no.
Pros? The drink can offer hydration from the water, and a level of resistant starch that is always welcome in the gut. Cons? Consuming formed food, as listed above, would give you significantly more nutritional benefits, and it’s unlikely that the drink itself would keep you feeling sated. In fact, the rice itself would do a better job at that longer term.
If you’re looking to lose weight, it’s important to look at your approach holistically, assessing your eating habits, exercise and mindfulness. These changes together can help you achieve your goals, as opposed to unfounded social media diet hacks that only tell a small portion of the story.
