### “Rice-Zempic”: What Experts Really Think of Drinking Rice Water for Weight Loss
A new trend is sweeping TikTok, where users are promoting a drink called “Rice-Zempic” as a budget-friendly alternative to popular weight loss and type 2 diabetes medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. This concoction, which combines rice, water, and lime juice, is being hailed as a miracle drink that can help people shed pounds quickly and curb their appetite.
The hashtag #ricezempic has already garnered 152 posts on TikTok, with users claiming that the drink can help them lose up to 14 pounds in a week. Some even say it reduces their cravings for sweets and helps them feel less hungry throughout the day. But is there any truth to these claims, or is this just another unproven TikTok trend?
### What Experts Say About Rice-Zempic
Dr. Mir Ali, the medical director of MemorialCare Surgical Weight Loss Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, acknowledges that the biggest weight-loss benefit of Rice-Zempic is its low-calorie content. “It’s just starchy water,” he says. “It can be helpful for weight loss if you’re using it to replace a meal.” The rice water and lime juice mixture might help people feel fuller before a meal, leading them to eat less.
However, Scott Keatley, RD, co-owner of Keatley Medical Nutrition Therapy, points out that the drink has “zero scientific backing.” While rice water may offer some nutritional benefits, such as providing energy from its starch content, there is no evidence to suggest it has properties that would significantly impact weight loss, especially in the way anti-diabetic medications like Ozempic do.
Dr. Kunal Shah, an assistant professor in the division of endocrinology at the Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical Center, agrees. He explains that while the starch in rice water can expand in your stomach and make you feel full, this effect is very short-lived. Unlike medications like Ozempic and Wegovy, Rice-Zempic does not have any metabolic benefits. “It’s not really metabolically helping you at all,” Shah says.
### The Limitations and Risks
Dr. Ali stresses that even if you could potentially lose weight on Rice-Zempic, it doesn’t mean it’s healthy or comparable to the effects of Ozempic. “It doesn’t in any way mimic Ozempic,” he says. “It has no hormonal effects like Ozempic to stimulate receptors.” While Rice-Zempic isn’t necessarily dangerous, it’s also unlikely to do much for long-term weight management. Shah adds that if you have a condition like acid reflux, the lime juice in the drink may exacerbate it.
Even if you were to lose weight by drinking Rice-Zempic, experts caution that it’s not a sustainable method. “This weight loss will be temporary because you’re not making permanent, healthy, long-term changes,” Ali says. “Once you stop this kind of thing, the weight will come back.”
### Sustainable Weight Loss Strategies
Instead of relying on quick fixes like Rice-Zempic, Ali recommends reducing carbohydrate intake and increasing the amount of protein and vegetables in your diet. “This is the basis for most diets,” he says. Shah concurs, emphasizing the importance of a low-calorie, high-nutrient diet combined with exercise for long-lasting weight loss. “The best advice has always been to have a low-calorie, high-nutrient diet with high protein and low carbs, and to combine that with exercise,” he says.
If you want to drink Rice-Zempic before a meal, Ali says you’re probably fine to do so. “But I don’t want people to misconstrue this as Ozempic,” he warns. “It’s not.”
### The Appeal of Single-Food Diet Trends
Rice-Zempic appears to be mimicking another TikTok trend called Oatzempic, a blend of oatmeal, water, and lime juice. Tara Schmidt, a registered dietitian and instructor of nutrition at Mayo Clinic, notes that oats have nutritional value, being rich in beta-glucan, a soluble fiber that can make you feel full and reduce cravings. They also contain antioxidants that can reduce inflammation and improve heart health.
However, Schmidt cautions against relying on single-food diet trends for weight loss. “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 says. Instead, she advocates for eating healthy, well-balanced meals.
### Conclusion
While the idea of a simple, inexpensive drink like Rice-Zempic may be appealing, experts agree that it lacks scientific backing and is unlikely to provide sustainable weight loss. Instead, they recommend focusing on a balanced diet and regular exercise for long-term health benefits. So, before you jump on the latest TikTok trend, consider the advice of medical professionals and opt for proven, sustainable methods for weight management.
Source: Health.com, TikTok
