Why the ‘Ricamic’ Process Can Be Dangerous, According to Experts

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of Ozempic. The injectable drug mimics the hormone GLP-1 (also known as semaglutide) in your body, helping to create a feeling of fullness and curb appetite. That is why it has become known as a weight loss drug despite being intended to treat type 2 diabetes, as Ozempic also increases insulin production and controls blood sugar levels. . Without insurance coverage, Ozempic costs more than $900 for a one-month supply. It’s no surprise that some home remedies have popped up on social media.

First came oatzempic and now ricezempic was born. These alternatives promise the same results as weight loss medications. Although these methods may seem interesting, and are more readily available and cheaper than Ozempic, they can be dangerous. We met with experts to find out why.

What is RiceZempic?

It is not clear who started the ricezempic trend, but users have produced thousands of TikTok videos about the drink. Many claim that it has helped them suppress hunger and achieve other weight-related results. The main ingredient mentioned in many success stories is resistant starch. But what exactly is in this mixture?

Kristine Dilley, a registered dietitian at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, explains: “Ricamec is the leftover starchy water used to drink rice that is mixed with lime juice and eaten. This mixture is produced as a drink that can help people lose weight, they are said to mimic the effects of Ozempic or other similar weight loss drugs.”

If you look for the trend of TikTok, you come across everything from instructions for preparing ricezempic to users showing weight loss that they say is caused by the drink. In particular, TikTok has placed social media at the top of ricezempic search results. The headline reads, “You’re more than your weight,” followed by a paragraph that provides information and resources for those struggling with weight issues.

Despite this warning, some of ricezempic’s most watched videos on TikTok have more than 100,000 likes.

What is resistant starch?

Starch is a complex carbohydrate that acts as an important source of energy in your diet. Dilley explains that resistant starch does not pass through the normal digestive system. He says, “[Resistant starches] pass through your small intestine mostly undigested, which prevents an immediate rise in blood sugar. Once they reach your large intestine, they ferment and feed the good gut bacteria. ”

He says there are several levels of resistant starch, including:

• Fiber seeds or grains that have not been ground or ground
• Naturally resistant starchy foods, such as green bananas, beans, peas and lentils
• Starch recovered from cooked and cooled foods, such as potatoes, rice and pasta
• Chemically modified starchy foods, such as bread and cakes with food additives

Foods with resistant starches can also make you feel fuller for longer, which can cause you to eat less. It is this relationship between your body and the resistant starch found in rice that can prevent hunger when you take ricezempic.

Dr. Kubanych Takyrbashev, medical doctor and health and wellness consultant NAO, adds that resistant starch can also improve blood sugar levels over time. As for where you can naturally find this type of starch, Dr. Takyrbashev says unripe bananas, boiled and cooled potatoes and legume plants also provide it.

Does ricezempic help you lose weight?

Despite its name, Dilley says, “There is no evidence to support a specific weight loss method in ricezempic other than feeling satisfied after eating it. This can make you eat fewer high-calorie foods in your diet or snacks, which can make you overeat. It leads to weight loss over time.” He points out that any effects you see can last as long as you drink the drink regularly.

Dr. Takyrbashev is also skeptical about this weight loss approach, which he says is a common attitude among health care professionals. The doctor explained, “There is no scientific evidence that ricezempic really works like GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic. Health experts have doubts that this can work as an aid to lose weight.” He says that serious weight loss “can often be more difficult and is associated with many different factors, including lifestyle changes, genetics and overall diet.”

To that end, the Cleveland Clinic recommends a balanced diet, hydration and exercise as important components of weight loss. The clinic advises against setting unrealistic goals or focusing on diet restriction as a strategy.

Ricezempic and binge eating

Unfortunately, methods like ricezempic can introduce people to unhealthy eating. Dr. Takyrbashev warns, “Methods like ricezempic can lead to unsustainable eating patterns for a number of reasons. This includes unrealistic expectations that are created when a single food or drink is promoted as a Lose weight. Do not panic if the results are done.

It is important to note that a person can deal with disordered eating even if they are not completely suicidal or purging. The doctor says, “.[Drinks like ricezempic] it can also lead to eating restrictions when a person starts emphasizing a certain drink or food at the expense of others. Restrictive eating is a classic symptom of disordered eating that can lead to nutrient deficiencies and a negative relationship with food.”

As a nutritionist, Dilley also warns that “people who engage in binge eating behavior have proven to be at greater risk of eating disordered eating.” He says that frequent eating can lead to binge eating and overeating. According to Dilley, “Over time, these behaviors can give a person a sense of control over their diet and their desired weight, which reinforces bad habits that can lead to them losing weight.” danger.”

Some ricezempic risks

Aside from binge eating, relying on ricezempic as a staple in your diet can be dangerous for a few other reasons. Dr. Takyrbashev says that methods like ricezempic can result in the following:

• Nutrient imbalances: Consuming too much rice water can result in imbalance in one’s diet as it is not a complete food.
• False positives: The promotion of unproven drugs can create false health information, which has negative consequences for public health and personal well-being.
• Lack of guidelines: Weight loss should be managed by an evidence-based approach that includes proper nutrition, adequate exercise and healthy lifestyle changes rather than blind adherence to methods without evidence.

If you use ricezempic in moderation, it may not have serious effects on your health. According to Dilley, if you are eating a variety of common foods in addition to drinking, there may be fewer risks. But if you feel full enough to cut down on other foods too much, he says you could be suffering from nutrient deficiencies and/or muscle loss.

On the other hand, if you take ricezempic and eat a normal meal, Dilley warns that you may feel bloated or possibly worsen any existing heartburn or reflux problem.

Benefits of Ricezempic: you can find it anywhere

There is evidence that resistant starch can have benefits in terms of regular intake. A January 2024 study published in Nature found that including resistant starch in a balanced diet improved gut health in participants. Specifically, the addition of resistant starch changed the composition of the microbiome in the gut of the participants and changed their metabolites (product of metabolism) to help reduce body weight.

But you don’t need to drink rice water to get these benefits.

The potential benefits of ricezempic, namely appetite suppression and reduced digestion, can be achieved by consuming resistant starch from other sources. Consider starting your day with oatmeal and plantains. These foods are also rich in resistant starch. Plus, you’ll get a variety of other nutrients when you eat whole foods. For example, plantains are high in fiber, magnesium, and vitamins A and C. You can swap plantains for green bananas and get the same nutrients.

Simply put, relying on rice water for weight loss is not a long-term strategy and can leave you lacking nutrients if you use it as a meal replacement. Many TikTok users drink ricezempic instead of eating breakfast, which can fall under the restriction of food and can lead to dangerous habits.

Dr. Takyrbashev tells us that ricezempic relies more on a single habit, rather than “systematic eating and lifestyle changes, which play an important role in sustainable weight loss and overall health .”

Important point

Ricezempic can be harmless or dangerous, depending on how you use it. Experts do not see any importance of rice water for weight loss because you can get resistant starch with other foods.

If you decide to quit this routine, make sure you’re still eating a healthy diet. Be careful of defining some foods as “good” and others as “bad,” as doctors and nutritionists warn that this thinking can lead to unhealthy eating. Ricezempic is not a magic weight loss solution and it does not provide you with the nutrients you need to be successful.