One other weight reduction pattern has been making the rounds on TikTok, and this time it’s one thing referred to as Ricezempic, the place you drink rice water. After I first noticed the title, I truthfully thought it was a joke. However the extra I scrolled, the extra individuals I noticed claiming it really works.
So naturally, I made a decision to dive deeper into this pattern to see if it truly had legs or not.
The drink is being promoted as a selfmade various to GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound. The recipe itself is surprisingly easy. You soak raw rice in water for a short while, then take away the rice and drink the leftover water.
To be frank, earlier than even diving into issues, my senses all instructed me that there’s no manner Ricezempic goes to supply comparable outcomes to precise GLP-1 drugs. And whereas I just about already satisfied myself this was a bunch of BS, I continued down the rabbit gap.
TikTok customers say it’s greatest to have it very first thing within the morning earlier than consuming something. The concept behind it’s that the rice water comprises resistant starch, which supposedly suppresses urge for food and helps you are feeling full for longer, considerably like GLP-1 medicine.
Some claims on-line are fairly dramatic. One TikToker even says they misplaced 60 kilos in simply two months by consuming Ricezempic.
However can a glass of rice water actually replicate the results of prescription weight reduction medicine? Let’s dive deeper.
Disclaimer: This text is for informational functions solely and shouldn’t be used to deal with or diagnose any situation. It’s endorsed that you simply converse together with your physician earlier than beginning any train program, making modifications to your vitamin plan, or including any new dietary dietary supplements into your present routine.
What’s Ricezempic?
On-line well being influencers utilizing the “Ricezempic” hashtag usually examine rice water to Ozempic (semaglutide), a Kind 2 diabetes treatment that many individuals now use off-label for weight reduction. After I first noticed these comparisons, I used to be curious. It sounded nearly too easy to be true (which most TikTok tendencies are).
The pattern can be using the wave of different comparable “zempic-style” drinks circulating on-line, corresponding to:
- “Oat-zempic” — consuming the water from soaked oats for weight reduction
- Okra water — soaking okra and consuming the water for weight reduction, sexual well being, and different supposed advantages
When one thing turns into as well-known as Ozempic, it’s solely pure that individuals attempt to replicate it with cheaper options. Rice water definitely matches that invoice. It’s easy and cheap, but it surely isn’t actually the identical as Ozempic.
3 Advantages of Rice Water
Let’s take a look at a few of the advantages of rice water used as Ricezempic.
1. Weight reduction
The principle argument behind rice water is that it might help weight reduction as a result of it supposedly comprises resistant starch. Resistant starch is a kind of carbohydrate that’s tougher for the physique to interrupt down, so it behaves extra like fiber than common starch.
Some analysis suggests resistant starch might assist scale back urge for food. In sure research, individuals reported feeling fuller and fewer hungry in contrast with once they consumed common starch. However the proof isn’t constant.
Different studies have discovered little to no impact on urge for food, so the analysis stays blended.
An even bigger subject is whether or not rice water truly comprises resistant starch within the first place. Resistant starch usually varieties when rice is cooked, cooled, after which reheated. That raises an apparent query.
If rice water is made by soaking uncooked rice, does it include any resistant starch?
Up to now, analysis hasn’t supplied a transparent reply. Most research concentrate on cooked rice as a result of that’s the way it’s usually eaten, which leaves the resistant starch content material of uncooked rice water largely unexplored.
2. It helps the microbiome
As a result of resistant starch isn’t absolutely digested, it behaves like a prebiotic fiber within the intestine. In easy phrases, it helps feed the useful micro organism that stay in your digestive system, which may help a more healthy intestine microbiome.
If rice water truly comprises resistant starch, and that is still unclear, it may supply some help for intestine well being.
3. Important nutritional vitamins & minerals
If the rice you’re utilizing is white rice processed within the U.S., there’s an opportunity it has been enriched with added vitamins. These can embody nutritional vitamins and minerals corresponding to thiamin, niacin, riboflavin, iron, calcium, and folic acid.
In idea, a few of these vitamins may leach into the water when the rice is soaked. Meaning the water you drink may include small quantities of them. Nobody actually is aware of how a lot truly leads to the water, although.
It additionally depends upon the kind of rice you’re utilizing. Imported rice is commonly not enriched, so it might not include added nutritional vitamins and minerals.
In that case, the rice water wouldn’t supply any additional dietary profit.
What Are the Dangers of Rice Water?
In the event you’re allergic to rice or have bother tolerating it, it is best to keep away from rice water altogether.
Rice can include arsenic, a poisonous heavy metallic that has been linked to coronary heart issues, kidney harm, and sure cancers. Arsenic happens naturally in soil and water, and rice tends to soak up extra of it than many different grains.
In terms of soaking uncooked rice and consuming the water, the priority is theoretical. It’s attainable that some arsenic may leach into the water throughout soaking. However with out correct research, nobody actually is aware of how a lot, if any, would find yourself there.
Ought to You Attempt the Rice Water Development?
I’m simply going to be completely blunt and name BS on consuming rice water. If you wish to be part of this Ricezempic motion, be my visitor. Nevertheless, don’t count on to see any modifications to your weight.
Typically, it’s greatest to simply go away the hype alone. As a rule, the juice isn’t well worth the squeeze, and I really feel that this TikTok pattern is simply one other large failure.
Creator Bio:
Matt Weik, BS, CSCS, CPT, CSN, is a globally acknowledged well being, health, and complement business skilled with over 25 years of hands-on expertise. He’s the founding father of Weik Fitness and one of the vital prolific writers within the area, identified for translating advanced science into clear, actionable content material. Matt holds a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from Penn State College and a number of business certifications, giving his work each tutorial credibility and real-world authority. His writing has been featured on 1000’s of internet sites and in 100+ magazines worldwide, together with FLEX, Muscular Improvement, Iron Man, and Muscle & Health UK, and he has authored 30+ revealed books. Trusted by main complement manufacturers and media shops alike, Matt is broadly considered one of the vital educated and dependable voices in well being, health, and sports activities vitamin.
