Go against the grain.
TikTokers are trumpeting “Rice-Zempic” — a surp-ricing concoction of rice, water and lime juice — as a cheap alternative to medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, which spur weight loss by mimicking a hormone we naturally produce when we eat.
But experts say the weird homemade beverage has “zero scientific backing” — and any weight loss you get from drinking it will be temporary.
“While rice water may have some nutritional benefits, such as providing a source of energy from its starch content, there is no evidence to suggest it has any properties that would significantly impact weight loss, especially in the manner that anti-diabetic medications like Ozempic do,” Scott Keatley, a registered dietitian and co-owner of New York City’s Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy, told Health.com on Wednesday.
One TikToker claimed on Tuesday that she lost 7.2 pounds by downing a glass of rice water on an empty stomach every morning for a week. But another TikToker admitted that when it came to her weight, the murky libation didn’t seem to offset the beers and junk food she consumed.
Dr. Mir Ali — the medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center in California — told Health.com that while the starchy water is “relatively low calorie,” it simply doesn’t have Ozempic’s hormonal power.
“I don’t want people to misconstrue this as Ozempic,” he said. “It’s not.”
Rice-Zempic does appear to be mimicking Oatzempic, a TikTok-popular blend of oatmeal, water and lime juice.
Tara Schmidt, a registered dietitian and instructor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic, noted in an April post that oats do have nutritional value. They are rich in beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that may make you feel full and lessen your cravings.
They also contain antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and improve heart health.
“I just want everyone to eat healthy, well-balanced, delicious meals; so, if the oat water and lime drink appeals to you, okay! I can certainly list worst,” Schmidt conceded.
“Just remember, though, we’ve gone through these single-food diet trends for years, many of which don’t truly help people lose weight and keep it off,” she added.